Had my first really hard pull with my winch a couple weeks ago. It was uphill like a 45* angle all mud up to the axles tubes with them plowing mud the whole way up. After about 30 seconds of winching my battery light came on the dash. First time I have ever seen it come on my JKUR is almost 6 years old with a 2.5 year old odyssey battery.

I paused winching for about 15 seconds and then winched like another 10 seconds and was free. Battery light went out after a few mins and I haven't seen it since.

Does this sound normal? I'm getting 12.4V on the battery engine off and 13.6V with engine idling wondering if it's time to get a new alternator.

I have a big road trip to windrock coming up next month want to make sure everything is ship shape before I go.

 

Same happened to me pulling a buddy out of the mud a couple years ago. I have an optima red top, not deep cycle. Just left it running and continued riding for about half an hour. The light never went out until we broke for lunch and I started back up, then no light and no issues since.

 

Winching is simply a massively intense electrical drain. With your deep cycle battery the occasional dip should be no cause for concern. Keep the engine running and let the alternator restore it. All good.

 

Ok great, sounds like I have no cause for concern. thanks guys.

 

As others have stated, this has happened to me as well.

My solution will likely be a dual battery setup. Hope that makes it never happen again, pretty expensive hypothetical solution.

 

Dual battery does fix that issue. The tray is the more expensive piece at ~$100+ and then the "kits" with the $60 solenoid plus wiring are pretty expensive too.

Once it's installed then you don't think about it anymore.

 

What about your engine idle RPM? Do you have a programmer which allows you to raise the engine idle RPM for winching? I think that would be another good solution, if you don't currently have that option. You don't need a new alternator, the JK's stock alt is actually pretty high current. You just may need to raise the RPM's to get more power out of that stock alt.

 

I had my RPM's around 2-2.5k when I was winching the tires were spinning in the mud.

 

i hope this wasnt a hill in South florida? were you out and about? i have never had to use a winch in south Florida for anything but flat mud and sand, where in the world were you!

 

Wildwood Off-road Park for Crawlfest