Dual Batteries - Winch Install

[Frederick Vobbe]

A question for you guys who have been down this road.  I'm installing a winch on my 2019 1500-LD dual cab.  (CK15753 - 5.3/325).

 

I would like to complete my winch install but I question where should the voltage be taken from.  My preference is from the battery, to a 175A breaker, and then from the breaker to the winch controller. Any thoughts on this?

 

I also have been thinking about a second battery as a "just in case" situation.  Does anyone know of a GM document with guidelines for operating a second battery?  I was thinking of the manual switch which is under the hood where you can run Battery-1, Battery-2, or Batteries 1 & 2.  Thoughts on this as well as charging?

[richard wysong]

Dual bats on earlier trucs didn't use any switch just a cable going from + to + and a seperate ground to the engine . I would use an isolator before a manual switch if you go that route that way you don't have to fool around to get the aux bat to charge. If you look at the optional snowplow prep package it may have the set up for 2 batteries

[Gangly]

A PERKO switch would fit your needs fine, and I agree that you need to have a cutoff or selector switch between the control box and the battery.

[richard wysong]

A solenoid cut off would be a neater instalation IMO and would be easier to just push a button than open the hood to turn it on. You have the right idea coming off the battery to a breaker but 175a? the wires will melt before it trips! 50 or 60amp should be plenty

[Frederick Vobbe]

Sorry for the late reply back, and thanks for the answers.  The isolator sounds interesting, but I would have to read up on how this works and specifications.

 

The winch spec of 175A comes from the manual, for 3,000# pull.  (See below).  Although it's a 12,000# winch, I have no need to pull that.  Most of my winching has been tree limbs out of the road or camp site.  That was with the old 5,000# winch.   So perhaps I could get by with a 100A or 80A breaker.  The old winch had a 100A breaker and used 6AWG cable, so maybe the manufacturer is worried about startup current?

 

The battery is on the passenger side, against the firewall.  The second battery location is in back of the drivers headlight inside the engine compartment.  Excuse the dirty engine.  Just got back from being on the back roads.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Chicken Heart]

Ok here ya go.  I'm telling my age but oh well.  Now, back in the early 1970's, when running dual batteries, one for the truck and the other for winching.  There was a regulator of sorts that the charging wire from the alternator ran to, then from it  to the second battery.  When the second battery was fully charges, it would shut off to prevent over charging.  Most of us that had winches that used that system.  That way, your vehicle battery wouldn't get drawn down from winching.  The regulator prevented that from happing.  Kinda of a one way system.  

Of course as things progressed, I can imagine that regulator is pretty sophisticated now.  

I'm also looking to have a winch installed on my "16 1500 4wd.  It has the battery plate on the drivers side so now I'm looking for the rest of the goodies. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Edited September 25, 2022 by Chicken Heart
added more information

[richard wysong]

That "regulator" is called an isolator. A lot of motor homes use them so if you have trouble finding 1 try an rv store