Winch Relibbility
JK Super Freak
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,623
Likes: 5
From: Lawrenceville, NJ
Compared to the 9.5xp....I think its fair to say 16 fps is more than twice as fast as 5 fps, etc....so, sure it can be twice as fast.
The point I'm trying to make is that it really comes down to WHICH winch, electric, or hydraulic, as any winch is better than NO winch if money is tight....and if hooking up plumbing for the steering pump is overwhelming compared to the relative ease of a plug in electric winch, fine.
Some people will be better served by one, some by another.
I like hydraulic winches, for some applications. For MY applications, I don't have the patience.
There are electric winches, like the HF's, etc...which are also dog slow....I don't have the patience to winch a minute, let them cool, winch a minute, let them cool, etc.
Same with my OBA....got a 100% duty cycle because once I start airing up, a line forms by my truck like I'm a filling station....and I have a hard time telling some one, sorry, you can't have any air, my pump's too hot...so I equip it to blow all day if it has to.
On average, for jeeps at least, the hydraulics are dogs....the 2 speed units can kick ass on helping people up a steep slope when they just need a little help...and suck at 125' de-mucking drags.
The point I'm trying to make is that it really comes down to WHICH winch, electric, or hydraulic, as any winch is better than NO winch if money is tight....and if hooking up plumbing for the steering pump is overwhelming compared to the relative ease of a plug in electric winch, fine.
Some people will be better served by one, some by another.
I like hydraulic winches, for some applications. For MY applications, I don't have the patience.
There are electric winches, like the HF's, etc...which are also dog slow....I don't have the patience to winch a minute, let them cool, winch a minute, let them cool, etc.
Same with my OBA....got a 100% duty cycle because once I start airing up, a line forms by my truck like I'm a filling station....and I have a hard time telling some one, sorry, you can't have any air, my pump's too hot...so I equip it to blow all day if it has to.
On average, for jeeps at least, the hydraulics are dogs....the 2 speed units can kick ass on helping people up a steep slope when they just need a little help...and suck at 125' de-mucking drags.
fan the flames
Thread Starter
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 437
Likes: 0
From: Northern, Louisiana
great information
The pulls did come somewhat consecutively; such as 8 in about 1 hour. This was on a XD900I using extended pulls for most power; even some on a snatch block. When it quit, it would only unwind and not pull in so I am not sure that the gears would prevent this. I just initially found it hard to believe that this winch failed and was searching for answers why.
This has been a great and informative thread and helped me understand better about winches. From what I gather, I should be patient and understand that any will break with a certain degree of duty. The reviews and tests are excellent as well as the comments here.
This has been a great and informative thread and helped me understand better about winches. From what I gather, I should be patient and understand that any will break with a certain degree of duty. The reviews and tests are excellent as well as the comments here.
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 348
Likes: 0
From: Michigan
Just more comments to continue the conversation...
The winch temps shown on the movie are not what I remember when I pull with my winch. For one thing, I think my usage just may be different. I typically have a really hard pull for a few seconds, followed by a easy pull until the vehicle can move under its own power. I put my hand on the motor, and any significant rise over ambient causes me to wait a bit. I wonder what the ambient "starting temp" was. If it was a nice 90f summer day, it would matter.
I typically can pull about three times as far as the movie showed before I would need to stop even with a big load. I think the heat buildup in the movie is in part caused by a huge change in the efficiency of the electric motors as the battery voltage dropped. More heat was created for a given amount of work.
I also think the MM guys should let the alternator run and put some juice in the battery as the electric winches operate. If the truck had to run for the hydraulic one, then the truck should run for the electric ones. Put a 100 amps or so into the battery as the pull occurs and the electic ones would pull for 25% longer. I say this because I think the "stall" shown for the electric winches was really the battery voltage dropping. I can say that from my own experience electric winches don't "stall" unless the load increases, the energy source goes away (dead battery), or the winch gets very hot (near smoking).
With all that said, I still hydraulic winches. Just like I like my electric ones, I'm sure they are reliable, and get the job done. One thing the movie did show was the "what if the engine is dead" scenario often stated against hydraulic winches doesn't get you very far. If a heavily loaded 20 feet won't get you out you are still in the same boat as the hydraulic guy under the same conditions. Obviously dual batteries, or patients with jumper cables could buy you more distance.
The winch temps shown on the movie are not what I remember when I pull with my winch. For one thing, I think my usage just may be different. I typically have a really hard pull for a few seconds, followed by a easy pull until the vehicle can move under its own power. I put my hand on the motor, and any significant rise over ambient causes me to wait a bit. I wonder what the ambient "starting temp" was. If it was a nice 90f summer day, it would matter.
I typically can pull about three times as far as the movie showed before I would need to stop even with a big load. I think the heat buildup in the movie is in part caused by a huge change in the efficiency of the electric motors as the battery voltage dropped. More heat was created for a given amount of work.
I also think the MM guys should let the alternator run and put some juice in the battery as the electric winches operate. If the truck had to run for the hydraulic one, then the truck should run for the electric ones. Put a 100 amps or so into the battery as the pull occurs and the electic ones would pull for 25% longer. I say this because I think the "stall" shown for the electric winches was really the battery voltage dropping. I can say that from my own experience electric winches don't "stall" unless the load increases, the energy source goes away (dead battery), or the winch gets very hot (near smoking).
With all that said, I still hydraulic winches. Just like I like my electric ones, I'm sure they are reliable, and get the job done. One thing the movie did show was the "what if the engine is dead" scenario often stated against hydraulic winches doesn't get you very far. If a heavily loaded 20 feet won't get you out you are still in the same boat as the hydraulic guy under the same conditions. Obviously dual batteries, or patients with jumper cables could buy you more distance.
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 165
Likes: 1
From: Fair Grove, Missouri
Gee, I love this debate! Tonight I got to use my new Superwinch EPi 9 for the 9th time in three weeks to make a recovery. The first 8 pulls were for cars down over a bank from ice on the road at a curve and tonight after over 6" of rain in the last 24 hours, lots of flooding and low water bridges. There was a 17 year old boy that tried to get his dads, 1 ton dulley accross the low water bridge and was swept downstream. He was trapped in it as one side was against a tree and he could not get the door open on drivers side. To make a long story shorter, took the JK and winch along with about 100 yards of cable along with a farmers tractor and we were able to get close enough to get the cable attached to the pickup. Make three pulls to get the pickup back on solid ground, Next, had to winch the tractor out since it got stuck on the way out. Had to use a snatch block and it was included with the Superwinch. Tied it to a tree and doubled the pulling power. At this time I have to say "I LOVE MY SUPERWINCH EPi 9
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 208
Likes: 0
From: Winston
25 FEET...
EP SERIES
-EP Series Super Duty Recovery Winches
Superwinch EP-Series are packed with the features you want: efficient three-stage planetary gear train, automatic load-holding brake, sealed switching, rugged handheld remote, freespooling, power IN and OUT, and a roller fairlead standard. With the brake mechanism mounted at the end of the gearbox, these winches are ideal for use with synthetic rope. The pre-mounted contactor housing assembly can be easily removed and remote-mounted. Speed, power, and compact design make the EP series a must-have for recovery applications.
EPI SERIES
-EPi Series High Performance Recovery Winches
The Superwinch EPi-Series is loaded with the same features as the EP-Series plus 25 feet additional wire rope and an attractive integrally-mounted sealed contactor bridge. Speed, power and good looks!
EP SERIES
-EP Series Super Duty Recovery Winches
Superwinch EP-Series are packed with the features you want: efficient three-stage planetary gear train, automatic load-holding brake, sealed switching, rugged handheld remote, freespooling, power IN and OUT, and a roller fairlead standard. With the brake mechanism mounted at the end of the gearbox, these winches are ideal for use with synthetic rope. The pre-mounted contactor housing assembly can be easily removed and remote-mounted. Speed, power, and compact design make the EP series a must-have for recovery applications.
EPI SERIES
-EPi Series High Performance Recovery Winches
The Superwinch EPi-Series is loaded with the same features as the EP-Series plus 25 feet additional wire rope and an attractive integrally-mounted sealed contactor bridge. Speed, power and good looks!
Thread Starter
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 437
Likes: 0
From: Northern, Louisiana
Gee, I love this debate! Tonight I got to use my new Superwinch EPi 9 for the 9th time in three weeks to make a recovery. The first 8 pulls were for cars down over a bank from ice on the road at a curve and tonight after over 6" of rain in the last 24 hours, lots of flooding and low water bridges. There was a 17 year old boy that tried to get his dads, 1 ton dulley accross the low water bridge and was swept downstream. He was trapped in it as one side was against a tree and he could not get the door open on drivers side. To make a long story shorter, took the JK and winch along with about 100 yards of cable along with a farmers tractor and we were able to get close enough to get the cable attached to the pickup. Make three pulls to get the pickup back on solid ground, Next, had to winch the tractor out since it got stuck on the way out. Had to use a snatch block and it was included with the Superwinch. Tied it to a tree and doubled the pulling power. At this time I have to say "I LOVE MY SUPERWINCH EPi 9
After reading this, I still do not see how that XD900i failed. It only pulled me (JK 4dr), itself (F-150 single cab) and a Chevy Z71 extended cab. It's not like it pulled a dulley or a tractor. Something must have been wrong with it.
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 348
Likes: 0
From: Michigan
Yes, there was a defect. A solenoid failed. I can happen to any winch. Last year I helped an employee install a HF winch. A solenoid failed on the very first pull. It happens, but it does seem to happen less with a quality winch.