Yet Another electrical question

[Clay Pitkin]

Ok so on my trailer, I have a 2000 pd electric winch. I have it wired correctly, using a dbl throw dbl pull 20 AMP toggle switch and a 12 volt battery.

I am also using 10 Gauge wire.

When I load a car on, it gets so hot it always melts the contacts on the switch, and I end up replacing the switch.

Is there a switch that I can use that wont melt? In other words a heavier duty one?

Do I need bigger wires?

I am stumped.

TIA
Clay

[Seldom Seen Slim]

So - how much current does the 2000# winch draw under load?  That's the issue -- maybe it's more than the "20 amp" switch contacts can handle (obviously).  Either a heavier-rated switch -- or the same switch that just turns on the power to a heavy-rated contactor.  Starter/snow plow motor contactor or relay, maybe.  That'd be one way to win the game.

[Jessechop]

Are you using 10 gauge wire to supply power to the winch? Or just to a remote? If you are using 10 gauge wire to supply power you are way under sized. I will look for a chart

[Jessechop]

So I just dug through my desk drawer and found the paperwork on my Superwinch LT2000 and it says 100 amp draw at 12V @ 2000 lbs, 10 amp with no load. 100amps should be on a 1 gauge cable. With that said I guess my winch has about 4 gauge wire supplying the power, but I also use the supplied breaker too...but I have never had it kick.

[wobblywalrus]

Sometimes a mo'sickle starter motor solenoid works good for this.  Hook up the big load carrying wires to the big terminals on the solenoid.  Use light duty wires for a low voltage switch current.