I recently received and installed a smittybilt xrc10 winch. I thought I had done everything right, but as usual after reding this forum I ran across some comments that you shouldn't connect the winch to the smaller side like posts that are on the factory battery. So my question is, is this true ? If so, then why do winches come with cables that only fit on the smaller posts ? It would seem if that is how they are made and these companies have been in the business for a long time then it would be perfectly fine to use the side posts.

 

I hooked my smittybuilt up that way and have not issues so far.

So what am I missing?

 

I don't still have the stock battery, but I also don't remember the stock battery having side posts.

I found a picture of my stock battery. Are you talking about the post thats on top? If so, you'll be fine. Think about how many amps your starter draws.

 

In the old days I remember that top posts were recommended because the side posts were generally not designed for the current that a winch draws. That doesn't mean that someone hasn't since built a sidepost battery with terminals that'll handle the current. (Are you sure you have a side post battery? MY JK has a top post battery).

A winch is about the largest current drain you could ever hook up to your battery. When the winch is under heavy load (especially if it's stalled), it can draw in excess of 500A. Far more than your starter ever will.

BTW: Here are the current specs for a Warn XD900i

http://www.gowarn.com/xd9000i-winch.asp

Chris.

 

To be honest, when it comes to vehicles I am at the lower end of knowing all of the correct terminology. My jeep JK is the first vehicle that I have actually taken an interest in learning about as well as performing maintenance and installing upgrades. So as far as me saying "side posts", whatever the stock battery has is what I'm speaking of. The winch cables don't actually connect to the large posts on top but rather the smaller ones that come off from those.

 

FYI - running a winch off a factory battery is not recommended. Go get yourself a nice deep cycle battery like a Yellow Top Optima. One hard pull on that factory battery and it's toast! Always connect to the top post, not side posts. Side posts are not designed to handle the draw of a winch.

 

yes you are right those company have been in business for many years and you should follow their directions. There are always going to be people that think they know better and will tell you otherwise or convince you you should replace half your jeep with stronger after market component... The fact is, companies are liable and have a reputation to preserve, giving erroneous install directions is certainly not in their best interest...

 

X2, stock battery is not meant for deep cycle and will be toast after a few discharges below %85 (somewhere around there).

However, this is only a problem if you are winching with the engine off (in deep water or mud for example). Shouldn't be a problem if you keep the engine running.

 

I think the confusion is with the side terminals on the Optima batteries. The way you hooked it up should be fine, except X2 on not using the OEM battery any longer than you have to.

 

Does anyone have pictures of a good choice and a bad choice of connector for a winch. I was using 4 GA and the WARN is using 2 GA. Any problem there?