Help with electrical connection for 12 v winch

[dourobob]

I have set up a 12 volt winch to run the rotation on the chute of my snow blower.

It works fine in the shop but I need to figure out how to power it on the tractor.

I can bring 8 or 10 gauge wire directly from the battery to inside the cab but I am looking for a simple and inexpensive plug-in connection (male and female) so I can plug in and unplug the winch controls easily when I put on and remove the snow blower.

I've been searching the web without success. I am guessing someone on this site has done something like this and might point me in the right direction.

I have gone to a couple of auto parts stores locally where they start talking about in-line fuses, heavy duty specialty connectors etc and they are scaring $80 to $100 by the time they are finished. I think it should be simpler and easier and cheaper.

Any advice appreciated.

Bob

 

[kennyd]

This would work: https://www.surpluscenter.com/item.asp?item=11-2201&catname=electric

Or you could wire up a heavy duty DPDT switch like the picture below.

 

[Cat_Driver]

Here's what you need


Forklift Connectors (Wire & Cable Connectors) ~ All Battery Sales and Service

 

[crazyal]

I remember someone saying they went to NAPA and got battery connectors for a winch.

 

[dourobob]

Thanks guys

I already have the control for the winch but it looks like the forklift connectors would do the connecting job.

Will also check local NAPA store.
Bob

 

[2458n]

CAT DRIVER has it right!

 

[Transit]

Yes, Catdriver. You need devices rated to carry large currents, 200-400 amps.

 

[kennyd]

Thanks guys

I already have the control for the winch but it looks like the forklift connectors would do the connecting job.

Will also check local NAPA store.
Bob

Sorry Bob...I misunderstood your question. Search for "Anderson Connectors"

 

[SpudHauler]

Believe you should have #6 gauge for a winch.

 

[David-Davies]

Have you looked at welding cable conectors. When I worked at the mine, they had welding cable conectors that locked together with a 1/4 turn, so they wouldn't pull apart.
Dave

 

[dourobob]

Another excellent idea

I love this site

 

[Mace Canute]

As others have pointed out, Anderson Connectors are what you probably want. Find out what amperage your winch draws on say a 500 lb load (or whatever load you are comfortable with) and size the electrical cable and connectors for that load. Rotating a chute should take next to nothing for load if everything is right with the world, eh?

 

[some zilch]

Believe you should have #6 gauge for a winch.

what makes you say this?

 

[dourobob]

Believe you should have #6 gauge for a winch.

what makes you say this?

I was wondering about that myself. The wires on the winch controller look like they might be 12 or maybe 10 gauge,

Six does seem like overkill.

Bob

 

[arrabil]

A winch only has tension in one direction normally. So what kind of contraption is necessary to create tension in both directions?

 

[aczlan]

A winch only has tension in one direction normally. So what kind of contraption is necessary to create tension in both directions?

A loop of cable wrapped around the chute and back onto the winch.

Aaron Z

 

[pat32rf]

The small size Anderson Connectors will work fine. I use them on small winches all the time. The actual contacts should be coated with die-electric grease to prevent corrosion though. For your use, you will only be applying current for a few seconds to swing the chute, but when the chute gets iced up there will be a good load. Go with at #8 superflexible wire (or double up #10's). Future shop should have #10 speaker wire (thats what I've been using on ATV winches).
Just run the winch controller (I'm assuming that you are using a winch relay) into the cab when you need it.
Make sure that you solder the Anderson lugs and don't just try to crimp them.
If you are using the pushbutton controller that comes with some of the small winches you can just extend the wires as needed but I've had about 5 give up the ghost when friends have used them on ATV's. You might get lucky because of the short duration of your loads.
If you are going to fuse the feed, use a 100amp fuse. Normally we don't fuse a winch but are really careful when we route the wire to prevent fraying. (PM me for details)

 

[arrabil]

A loop of cable wrapped around the chute and back onto the winch.

You have to be careful not to run to far in either direction then, yes?

 

[dourobob]

The small size Anderson Connectors will work fine......normally we don't fuse a winch but are really careful when we route the wire to prevent fraying. (PM me for details)

Sent you a PM

 

[SpudHauler]

My last 2 winches, a Warn 3000 and now a 4000, both had #6 cable running from battery to solenoid and solenoid to winch. You can go lighter for this light load, but it is never good for the motor if they are too light.
But, if you are saying it's already a lighter gauge then go for it.
Remember, when everything is frozen and you hit the button, the load is going to skyrocket.