duel batteries, management and winch

Joined: 31 Dec 2007 Location: Gold Coast

Hi there, am looking to purchase the SC80 from trackside, but noticed 2 wiring options, 1 battery winch operation and 2 battery winch operation.
Anyone have an opinion on which is best option and put it in Lalum terms for me.
I guess the 2 battery option means you powering winch from both batteries is better for battery life and loger winching time, but how does this effect the fact running cranking battery and deep cycle axillary, or are you supposed to run deep sycle as a cranking aswell. Also what is the marine battery swith for, why would you isolate the batteries from each other.

1 battery option i thought would still pull power from both batteries until cranking battery gets to setrain level. As you can seem am little confused and seem to be reading the wiring diagrams wrong.
Help please.

http://www.traxide.com.au/trax1sc80_2.html

Joined: 11 Dec 2004 Location: Gold Coast

Hi Kitacooch, my site is in need of a major overhaul and I’m in the process of doing it and the second option is the best one but you need to run two cranking batteries.

The first option is based on old operating practices that are no longer considered best practice and this diagram is to be removed.

To get the best results while winching ( except during competition operations ) you have your vehicle motor running on high idle and winch for 60 then, leaving the motor on high idle, rest the battery(s) for 90 seconds, then repeat.

The advantage of the switch is, 1), two batteries will recharge much quicker than one giving your winch a better current supply during each operation, 2) most isolators are NOT designed to be used in winching operations and by using a marine battery switch, wired as in my diagram, you bypass the isolator while winching but once finished, the isolator is put back inline and works as normal.

Cheers.

Joined: 31 Dec 2007 Location: Gold Coast

Cheers for that, still little confused though, if i run 2 cranking batteries (normal cycle batteries) then what about auxillary, can you successfully run the fridge, inverter, etc,etc off a normal cycle battery set up without rewening the batteries or is this why some set up 3 battery systems ie batteries in the back of the vehicle (deep cycle).
My understanding is that winches draw large amouts of current and you need deep cycle batteries to handle the large discharge and re-charges assisiated with winching while remaiing relyable and lasting a reasoable period of time. Is this why you say to winch for 60 seconds then rest for 90, because we running cranking batteries instead of deep cycle batteries we don't want to discharge the batteries too much.

My situation is just fitted a 10000lb warne low mount winch, cleared a spot for the second battery, have 1 old but good HD truck cranking battery but not yet purchased the second battery. Plan to run small inverter, fridge, laptop, stereo, air compressor etc. Can afford to replace existig battery if i really need to.
What is my best option??? What would you recomend??
2 new cranking batteries, (marine, gel, sealed, acid??) sc80
1 old 1 new,
1old cranking 1 new deep cycle??
1new cranking 1 new deep cycle??

Is your SC80 the best for what i need???

Your input is much appreciated
Cheers

Joined: 11 Dec 2004 Location: Gold Coast

Hi again kitacooch, deep cycle batteries are NOT designed to be used in heavy current applications, such as winching. Cranking batteries are designed handle high current operations but spreading the load over two batteries will help extend the batteries operating life.

Deep cycle batteries are intended to be used in low current, long duration applications between charges, like running a fridge and so on. they will have a very short life span if used in a winching operations.

As to your set up, if your old battery is working fine, why replace it.

You need two cranking batteries for winching but cranking batteries will still meet your other requirements and remember, because the SC80 spreads the load over the two batteries, you are going to have heaps more auxiliary power than any other dual battery controller can give, so just go with the cranking batteries.

Joined: 28 May 2005 Location: Melbourne, Australia

So if you hook up youre cranking battery and bluetop Orbital deepcycle onto a winch (using a high amp switch between batteries to disconnect the two when not winching), thats ok?

BTW Kitacooch, im running the Traxide SC80, cant recommend it enough, always worked perfectly and a pisser to install.

Joined: 11 Dec 2004 Location: Gold Coast

PJ.zook wrote:

So if you hook up youre cranking battery and bluetop Orbital deepcycle onto a winch (using a high amp switch between batteries to disconnect the two when not winching), thats ok?

Hi PJ.zook, as far as the Blue Top goes, Optima batteries are one of only a couple of genuine AGMs and all three types of Optimas, ( Blue, Red and Yellow ) can be used in cranking and deep cycle applications and will work fine in winching operations but remember, Optima batteries have a smaller capacity so should not be used in a continuos cranking situation and 60 seconds ON - 90 seconds OFF type winching is the only way they should be used in winching operations.

Joined: 31 Dec 2007 Location: Gold Coast

Thanks Driveafe, make alot more sense to me now.
What about marine batteries, they are designed for rough treatement, high cranking and also deep cycle applications, would they be a good option??

Joined: 11 Dec 2004 Location: Gold Coast

kitacooch wrote:

What about marine batteries

The marine batteries would be a cheaper choice than the Optimas and a better choice than using ordinary AGMs.

Joined: 31 Dec 2007 Location: Gold Coast

OK, Cheers for all you input.