Winch under water?

Will.
The winch will work as normal,But when you get home you will need to clean and dry the relay box to prevent corrosion, and also drain the gear box oil to get the water out. Eric

Eric,

Thanks, I have not done this myself but was curious about the connection still working from the winch under water. I have read numerous winching articles and threads but it doesn't seem to come up. Often you see vehicles towed or snatched out but rarely winched from under the water line?
Appreciate any other comments or experienceed comments?

Will

Yes generally.

I have done this a few times and the winch has worked for as long as I have had battery power. Keeping in mind that as the engine is not running and charging the batteries, the winch won't run for all that long.


Regards

We did exactly that in 1980 with FJ40 in the Jardine river on Cape York.
In those days there was no ferry, any vehicle access was by sea on a barge or ford all the rivers. The current pushed the vehicle sideways as the driver approached the log causeway in metre deep water. It ended up in the water to roof height at the rear and top of the bullbar at the front with the diffs high centred on the logs. Petrol engine, dizzy well under water and with no other choice but to try the winch we plugged the lead into the Warn high mount and away it went pulling the cruiser up onto the log ramps and then 50 yards through the swamp to dry land on just what was in the battery. After changing all the oils, draining water from the fuel tank and drying out the ignition the old girl fired right up and we did day trips for four days from our camp on the southern bank to all the points of interest on the tip. The return crossing was uneventful with the old 40 series chugging happily through the river making a bow wave with the windscreen as the water was to the top of the gearstick during the crossing and over the bonnet.

Peter, what a situation lucky to get out by the sounds of it.
Thanks all for the comments.

Will

Hi Will,
I’ve got a mate that has an old winch with open electrics on it that needs cleaning up once it’s been under water. Mine is fully enclosed and it’s never needed cleaning. I imagine either variety should be capable of working underwater – check with the winch manufacturer and don’t buy one that can’t survive a soaking.

Hello all.
A little of track but i have been thinking about my Anderson plug at the back of the hilux as it is near the tow bar and has power to it all the time when it goes under water would it blow the fuse cheers bill.