Installed the Aldi <span class="highlight">winch</span> today!

Submitted: Saturday, Jul 28, 2007 at 17:36
ThreadID: 48185 Views:4486 Replies:3 FollowUps:1
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Gday everyone, for those that were interested I've installed the winch today. Tried it on a steep flood water bank near my home and I think it seemed to work very well even if I haven't used a winch before. I think my ARB Sahara Bar is designed for the biggest of winches so my first try of a dummy install with the repositioned clutch lever pointing up didn't work. I repositioned the lever so I can reach in under the bullbar and activate it but the lever is still protected inside the bar cavity so any rocks cant stuff it. My only option for the control box position that I could see was in the usual position over the winch on the bar because the dual batteries and other things took up all the space under the bonnet. The power lead at the moment is connected directly to the battery which I think is not right. I need some advice on what to do there and some part names for either a switch or a fuse system so please shoot. The + & - cables are running to the battery through the space between the body and the headlight. Had to get four longer bolts to replace the originals for the winch too. Heading of to Lake Mountain tommorow morning for a couple of nights and may have to try it there again.
Cheers
Boris
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Reply By: Crackles - Saturday, Jul 28, 2007 at 19:12

Saturday, Jul 28, 2007 at 19:12
Boris winches are usually connected directly to the battery as they can pull as much as 250+ amps at stall. Very few switches will carry that load & a fuse would be pointless as the wiring would practically melt before it would blow. Some people wire in a cut out switch to the solinoids to avoid the winch being used but probably easier just leaving the + wire off the battery until you need it. To avoid the wiring rubbing through you could fit split tubing over the + wire & secure with cable ties where it passes through the body.
Some connect the winch to the start battery to give it the most available power while others connect to the auxillary so it can be used without the engine going & still not flaten the start battery. The choice is yours.
Cheers Craig...........
AnswerID: 254873

Reply By: Johnny boy - Sunday, Jul 29, 2007 at 08:58

Sunday, Jul 29, 2007 at 08:58
Well done Boris , I will be watching out for your next trip report with enthusiasum as I would really like to purchase one and dont take this the wrong way but Im hoping you will need to use it on this trip in a real situation as to really test it would be good and 2 other things what 4B is it fitted to and do you think it looks water proof ?? have a safe and fun trip to Lake Mountain mate :)

Regards John.
AnswerID: 254917

Follow Up By: BorisK - Wednesday, Aug 01, 2007 at 23:08

Wednesday, Aug 01, 2007 at 23:08
Gday John, I'm back home now. The trip was enjoyable but could have been better cause my son(1yo) started teething again the day we got there and we had to work around his moods and tantrums. Normally he's a real trooper. I can't really comment much on my winch as I've never used or seen any other complete/incomplete winches before, except for the ones on display in the stores ofcourse, and they don't usually display the control boxes anyway. I didnt get bogged anywhere so couldn't test it sorry. We only drove one short tight muddy track of Mt Maragaret rd just to excersize the little used centre diff lock, electronic traction control and low range gearing. The winch is fitted to an ARB Sahara bar on a 95 series VX Prado and seemed to work fine at home when I tested it but I'll try some other tests later.
Cheers Boris
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FollowupID: 516562

Reply By: Grungle - Sunday, Jul 29, 2007 at 09:11

Sunday, Jul 29, 2007 at 09:11
Hi Boris,

All winches are connected direct to the battery without any fusing due to the current they draw.

I had a recent case where I had a dead short accross my battery after winding in a bit of excess rope (accessory shop installed winch cables back to front and didn't connect up earth properly after insurance claim) and we calculated the short circuit current at 450 Amps (yes there is a formula to do this). As a result my handbrake cable caught fire and engine mounts vulcanised due to earth return going along chassis then motor to battery due to poor earth connection on winch. As a result of this scare, I am looking into a battery isolator that can shut off all electrical power to the batteries. There are a couple of 500Amp rated ones but they need to be compact so I can mount in an easily accessable spot.

Regards
David
AnswerID: 254918

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