Electric Winch Question

[JimS123]

Re: Electric Winch Question

People generally DRAMATICALLY underestimate the size of power cable needed to run a winch the way it was meant to. If someone complains that a winch is too slow, first thing to look at is the size and length of the power cable.

Just a quick check on the iboats store, a relatively small 2400# marine winch has a circuit breaker at 60 amps. Lets say it draws 50 amps max during pulling. For a 25ft run to the battery (remember, need to ground it also to the truck frame, that distance counts), you are between 4 gauge and 2 gauge wire! (8 gauge would drop 2 volts in that run, 4 gauge is .7, and 2 gauge is .5)

I've seen people plug a winch into an adapter for the lighting harness! At best, that is going to be 12 gauge. If you don't pop the fuse, the voltage drop is going to be over 5 volts.

My PowerWinch came with the cable, circuit breaker, etc. Just had to run the wire thru the car to the battery. Piecocake.

 

[JimS123]

Re: Electric Winch Question

Funny you mention Power winch.....

Perfect example of what I'm talking about. Winch for my 22' Grady ~#5000 w/fuel

Power Winch 712:
Max pull, "double line" (big red light,...run) #4300 (720 VA) at 7' per minute using double line operation.

Rule 42R (currently in use)
Max pull, single line,#4200 (960 VA) at 21' per minute

What do the numbers tell me...... The PW is a dog..... the Rule has 33% more power and retrieves the load 3 times faster

Yup, I've heard good things about a Rule. I haven't looked at PW in awhile, but they used to make numerous models with different capacities. I personally don't like the double line pull. I would just upgrade to a larger model and use a single line.

And of course, you need to compare the prices on both manufacturer's models with the same single line pull. A 712 is not in the same class as a 42R.

 

[agallant80]

Re: Electric Winch Question

I don't need lube...mine sits on an all roller trailer. She rolls off like greased lightnin. But I don't need the aggravation of working up a sweat cranking it back up. Maybe I'm just lazy, but as I get older my back bothers me more. So, a few hundred bucks for a winch is just pocket change. Allowing me to relax at the end of a day on the water - priceless. Heck, I may even buy one for my 14' tinnny just for the fun of it....LOL.

Well hey if it makes you happy then go for it. I completely understand that. If you keep your boat at your house have you considered putting a battery box on the trailer and running the winch to that? You can charge the battery up when you get home and avoid the cable run from your truck battery to the trailer.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Electric Winch Question

And of course, you need to compare the prices on both manufacturer's models with the same single line pull. A 712 is not in the same class as a 42R.

Price doesn't really play into this. Performance costs money and you get what you pay for. If one company says their equipment meets the performance standard at a much reduced cost, beware. Chances are, things are not as equal as one might lead you to believe.

 

[JimS123]

Re: Electric Winch Question

Well hey if it makes you happy then go for it. I completely understand that. If you keep your boat at your house have you considered putting a battery box on the trailer and running the winch to that? You can charge the battery up when you get home and avoid the cable run from your truck battery to the trailer.

With 8 boat / car / tractor batteries I don't want another one to maintain just for 1 piece of equipment. Running the cable only took 1/2 hour, 29 years ago. The Car (not truck) is a dedicated tow vehicle and its as old as the boat.

 

[JimS123]

Re: Electric Winch Question

Price doesn't really play into this. Performance costs money and you get what you pay for. If one company says their equipment meets the performance standard at a much reduced cost, beware. Chances are, things are not as equal as one might lead you to believe.

Yes, you get what you pay for. In this scenario, the cheaper one does NOT meet the performance standard, and that's why its cheaper. We're comparing apples to oranges - single line pull and double line pull are 2 different standards. Put a pully on the 42R and double the line and the compare THATY capacity to the PW. Heck of a lot bigger, isn't it?

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Electric Winch Question

Funny you mention Power winch.....

Perfect example of what I'm talking about. Winch for my 22' Grady ~#5000 w/fuel

Power Winch 712:
Max pull, "double line" (big red light,...run) #4300 (720 VA) at 7' per minute using double line operation.

Rule 42R (currently in use)
Max pull, single line,#4200 (960 VA) at 21' per minute

What do the numbers tell me...... The PW is a dog..... the Rule has 33% more power and retrieves the load 3 times faster

A PW 712 with a single line pulls a 7500# boat at 14 FPM.
A PW 912 with a single line pulls a 11,500# boat at 8 fpm.
A PW 915 with a single line pulls a 9500# boat at 10 fpm.

Powerwinch - Frequently Asked Questions

I think the 712 would be cutting it close for you. But anyway, those are the numbers on the trailer. I don't know why you compare an unnecessary double line application on PW to single on Rule to conclude that Rule is better. I haev had a lot of PW's and like them; can't speak one way or the other to Rule. Although I think PW's parts and accessories are over-priced.

And as smoke said, you have to have the right wiring harness, another reason not to try to cut corners with a home-made rig.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Electric Winch Question

A PW 712 with a single line pulls a 7500# boat at 14 FPM.

No where do they make that claim. In fact, they contradict that notion with a chart in the manual that adjusts the "max. boat weight" based on angle of incline. According to the chart, the winch will pull a boat somewhere between #5220 and #6000 on your average ramp incline. This also confirms your notion that winching my #5000 boat, floating weight BTW, with a PW712 is "cutting it close".

If #5000 is cutting it close, do you honestly think you can pull a boat 50% heavier w/o going to double line pull at 1/2 the speed?

I don't know why you compare an unnecessary double line application on PW to single on Rule to conclude that Rule is better.

The Rule has almost twice the single line capacity pull and it struggles dragging the front two strakes over the front rollers to the point it almost stalls. There is absolutely no way the PW is pulling that boat over those strakes with just 1/2 the pulling power.


There is nothing wrong with PW winch. There are lots of happy owners. My only complaint is their ambiguous ratings. You have to know what your looking for and read between the lines to get the real story.