Electric Winch

Ron20324 · Dec 17, 2014

kair58 said:
... I plan on installing an inverter on this battery for charging electronics, ipad, iphone, etc... I am looking for any pros or cons on this idea. My intent is not to draw down on the house battery for charging non essentials.
...

Why not just get the approriate 12 to (?) converter(s)? Lots cheaper than inverters and the wiring. Inverters waste electricty. No mater the source, you're drawing down SOME battery that has to be recharged. AND, what would you do if your "winch" battery is drawn down- or just dies?

Gunni · Dec 17, 2014

I am in the process of removing my inverter. There are no electronic devices that will not recharge quicker, and more efficiently via 12 vdc. And just like the added complexity (and draw) of an inverter, a separate house battery for a winch would not be my choice. Those things can draw 50+ amp hours/day requiring at least a 110 Ah battery. Just plus up the house battery, and spend the savings on solar charging.

Gunni · Dec 18, 2014

kair58 said:
Thanks Gunni & Ron20324. So inverter is not recommended, direct 12 vdc converter is the way to go. Gunni, when you mean "plus up" house battery, are you thinking increase the battery Ah? I already have 2 size D house batteries.

If those batteries are 4D then you have a nominal 200 Ah to play with. And that is a good size for a 37' boat, and I can't see putting more aboard. But if you are giving up 25% of your daily Ah supply to a winch you are taking it from your other possibly more critical gear (navigation, auto pilot, refrigeration, lighting) and need to be on major charge at the end of the day. You could mount a couple of big photovoltaic panels and possibly make up your winch power. It doesn't make sense to me - I can hoist my main by hand to 90%, and furl the genny by hand, a powered winch is not needed. Much of that is due to careful removal of system friction and quality line replacement.

Joe2954 · Dec 19, 2014

My 40st's are wired to my house batteries ( 4 golf cart ). I suspect my instruments and autopilot use more amp-hrs on a typical sail than the winch even though I am sailing on a river, tacking every 4 or 5 minutes. Winch only cranks for a few seconds each tack. Keep it as simple as possible.
On the other hand a separate battery could save on heavy guage wire runs if located closer to winches.

Electric Winch

kair58

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Ron20324

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Gunni

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kair58

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Gunni

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Joe2954

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