Winch Question
Thread Starter
JK Newbie
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: Honolulu , HI.
Winch Question
Just got myself a 2011 JKU and things are rolling my way pretty good can't complain, I won a raffle at 4wheelparts for an XRC8 Winch notthe best by anymeans but free is good. i picked up teh HighRock Bumper and mounted the winch but when i run it my battery bogs down... any suggestions? Dual Batteries or go to a single Optima?
Not sure any help would be greatly appreciated!
Not sure any help would be greatly appreciated!
JK Freak
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 716
Likes: 0
From: Manitoba
I am no battery expert by any means, but with a 2011 it shouldn't be bogging down at all. I have a 08, and I have a air compressor, cb, and my winch all going to the battery and no problems.
Hopefully some one can help you out.
Hopefully some one can help you out.
JK Jedi Master
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 14,800
Likes: 374
From: Midwest City, OK
What is the load you're pulling? If you're pulling an extremely heavy load through a tough environment (Hummer out of a mud pit--as if a Hummer would ever go near mud!), you might bog down your battery without the engine running (amperage draw depends on the force being pulled by the winch). Run the engine. You have a smaller alternator than earlier year JKs, so you may also want to turn off unnecessary accessories. But, let me emphasize: For most typical pulls, the winch/battery should not bog down.
Thread Starter
JK Newbie
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: Honolulu , HI.
to be honest there was no load at all i had just putit on the bumper and was testing it out. granted the headlights were on and they dimmed a bit thats how i knew it was drawing a bit of power, i'm -planning on putting a red top in it here soon anyways.
JK Junkie
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 2,818
Likes: 3
From: Folsom, CA
If you run a winch, a yellow top will last a lot longer than a red top. Plus, the yellow top is designed for the draw a winch demands. It's a smart investment for the $30 price difference.
Red top = $139
Yellow to = $165
Blue top = $157
You shouldn't see any significant draw with an unloaded winch.
Sweet win with the winch! I'm always glad to hear someone win. I think most raffles are fake and no one actually wins!
Red top = $139
Yellow to = $165
Blue top = $157
You shouldn't see any significant draw with an unloaded winch.
Sweet win with the winch! I'm always glad to hear someone win. I think most raffles are fake and no one actually wins!
JK Freak
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 701
Likes: 1
From: Apex, NC
Did you 'streach' the cable first? 
The Smittybilt winch comes from the factory almost hand wound on the pulley, if you try to use it before extending it and pulling a tight wind on it the cable can slip under the next lower wind and bind up making it bog down.
The Smittybilt winch comes from the factory almost hand wound on the pulley, if you try to use it before extending it and pulling a tight wind on it the cable can slip under the next lower wind and bind up making it bog down.