Landracing Forum
Misc Forums => NON LSR Posting => Topic started by: Clay Pitkin on September 14, 2013, 09:34:50 AM
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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
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.