Which Battery for winching?

[Tris Cocks]

I need a new battery for winching as i have killed the old one, Originally i purchased two starting batteries, (100Ah and about 950CCA i think)

Is it best to get a deep cycle battery or another starting battery to use winching?

[LandyManLuke]

Deep cycle batteries aren't actually suited to winching, despite what everyone thinks. You're better with a battery that can source large amounts of current quickly, like a starting battery.

X-eng do Numax batteries which have a really nice high CCA rating.

[Bowie69]

Not sure X-Eng can deliver them anymore, last I heard was their courier was refusing to deliver any more....

Try them first, if not then try http://www.tayna.co.uk/ for the exact same battery.

[gaz489]

try derek at lrs offroad he does numax batteries and cheapest price i can find

[Tris Cocks]

Looks like i might be ordering a couple of batteries from Tayna - £64.95 Inc VAT which is more that £20 cheaper than LRS Offroad for the Numax 1000A 85Ah battery Tayna Battery

Next question is what is the best way to charge both of them? Parallel them together? or go the split charge route?

[Bowie69]

Split charge, for a no hassle solution go to X-Eng

Tanya were very quick delivering my battery (exactly what you have linked to).

[Tris Cocks]

I used to have an X-Eng split charge relay linking the two batteries but i think the coil gave up and it wouldnt conduct between the two batteries.

I have thought about going for another one but to me it seems an expensive way of linking both batteries together as effectively once the ignition live is powered the battery is two that have been paralleled to make one - or have i got the wrong end of the stick?

[Bowie69]

Wrong end of the stick, it only joins the two when the alternator is charging (when the light on the dash goes out).

This allows you to flatten the aux battery but still be able to start the car, or flatten the starter battery and then jump start by flicking a switch

[Tris Cocks]

My thought would be that 99% of the time the engine would be running while im winching as i normally try to get the wheels turning while winching.

This would mean that both batterys would be drained at the same time, if i then stall after a long hard winch i would be possibly that i wouldnt have enough juice in either battery to start the truck.

[Bowie69]

That is a possibility, that's why I have an auto

Also why some comp trucks have 3 batteries, 2 of which are just for the winch.

[4X4byV8]

could always use more than 1 alternator. theres a bit of messing around getting it mounted but its a much better long term way of keeping systems seperate but still reliable. depends if you use the winch enough to justify having a second full time alternator

[Tris Cocks]

Ive ordered two of these batteries this morning so they should arrive soon with any luck, will let let you know how they work once they have been tested.

[LandyManLuke]

Split charge systems are as important when the engine is off, as when it's on.

Two batteries left in parallel, if not completely identical, will charge and discharge each other, with almost a see-saw characteristic. The effect may be negligible, or it may well have a damaging effect on both batteries over time. A split charge relay protects against this.

[JST]

i run two the same in parallel and have done for 5yrs now, seem to work for me.

[Tris Cocks]

Ive ordered two of the same for the discharge reason above, hopefully there wont be any discaharge between the two, if needs be i can always put an isolation switch between the two batteries if there is a problem with discgarge between the two,

[MrHT]

i run a pair in paralell with no issues. trucks been that way for 3 years.

batterys bought at the same time and always been together

[zardos]

Split charge systems are as important when the engine is off, as when it's on.

Two batteries left in parallel, if not completely identical, will charge and discharge each other, with almost a see-saw characteristic. The effect may be negligible, or it may well have a damaging effect on both batteries over time. A split charge relay protects against this.

I have three batteries in parallel without a problem, but that might be because they spend a lot of the time on an intelligent charger.