Winch Battery

main

When the engine is running both battries are linked together are they not.

So it does not really matter which battery the winch is hooked up to, although I prefer the aux. That way you can run thge cable off and on for maintaince without the engine running and not flatten the main.

Only option ....... Main

Some auxilllary batteries are deep cycle, using a winch on one would probably hurry it on the junk heap. Main battery is the best choice.

G'day Redeye,

Hook it up to the main one as you very rarely will do any winching with the engine turned off, so it is getting a constant power supply whilst winching.
Very little chance of flattening the battery, I ran my cable out full length and winched back in twice with only a break long enough to run the cable back out in between, shut the motor down straight after and it started again fine.

Avagoodn
Pezza

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Primary. (main)

Hi Redeye
yet another reply to your Q&A.
Wire up to the main battery!
Why?
Main batteries are designed to provide mega power over a short period, ie: the starter motor, winches, etc..
Aux/ Deep Cell cope best with low trickle out puts, ie: powering your fridge unit, lighting, etc., etc..
As said when winching you'll have your engine running, cause the winch will demand mega power, mega amps, well 'over' 400+ amps, enough to weld with, so in all probabilty your battery will be flat as a tack(deepcell batteries don't really like being made totally powerless).
Hence why you'll want you engine running.
Your main battery will require less time to recharge to a good working output than your auxillary, which I have assumed is a deepcell.
Anyway best of luck with the task & your decision as to which battery to hook up to.

madCrow

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\\\\\(-><-)///// The large shy bunny with a hair cut, hides in the grass.
The sound of a truck backfiring make him sit up straight!

If the Aux batt is a deep cycle then you must hook to the main as it's built for a heavy load.

We have the winch connected to the main battery in our Landrover and keep the engine running while winching - no problems at all. This way, you always end up with the engine running and no flat battery and being unable to start the engine.

We have even had the thermal cut out in the winch operate while operting becuase it was getting too hot - a good time to re-charge the battery while we wait for the winch to cool down.

Stevesub

As everyone else said, same battery thats used to start the engine.

Get your alternator checked by an auto sparky too because some cant supplement the loads demanded by a winch and may prematurely fry your alternator