Beep, beep............

Willem I've seen that sort of thing happen a few times over the years, once it caused a vehicle to burn to the ground and the other two it trashed the electrics and she no go anymore ;-))
After I witnessed the first one cremate itself I went down the hardware and bought a couple of metres of clear plastic hose larger than the positive cable to the winch (about 1" ID) and slid it over the cable giving it a very tough shield. I also made sure that the cable (now sheathed in hose) was well tied down at regular intervals with cable ties to stop it moving.
Peter

Hey Willie

Sounds more like you wacked a "Road Runner".

Cheers cob

Yep, vibration and chafing can do some marvelous things, on the jets i have seen nylon retainers wear into stainless and titanium tubing, stainless wear into inconell sheet etc. things all materials engineering learning would say isn't possible. The standard plastic insulation on most cables is fairly susceptable to chafing through . The 'crinkly' stuff is known as convoluted or split tubing, just a plastic moulded, not bad though. But, if you want some really good gear - get onto a hydraulic and pnuematic supplier and get some 'spiral-wrap' hose covering, it is a hard abrasion resistant flat coil which wraps around the hose / cable and allows it to move but protects it from abrasion and chafing. You can get it made from teflon, nylon etc. You will see it heaps on earthmoving gear etc. And while you are at it get some soft 'p' clip hose clamps, the aluminium ones with the rubber inserts would be fine, and secure the cables at regular intervals on the body and the bullbar, leaving enough free length between the body and chassis to allow for movement.

Had to be some 'action' on the maiden voyage didn't there !!! cheers mate

This is an excellent example as to why you should fuse everthing that you can.
Tim

Beep Beep, did ya leave the fridge door open and it's about to back over you. LOL.

Serious lucky one mate, It all need to be covered and fixed well for what we do.

Willem,
I had a similar experience in the first Disco. Driving along the banks of the Darling the warning lights in the dash kept coming on. After several kms I opened the bonnet after hearing an arcing noise. The Optima cranking battery, being much smaller than the OEM battery, had slid sideways in the battery bay and the positive terminal was touching the clamp. I cut a bit of timber to slot alongside the battery, and like you, I thanked my lucky stars.