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JimEvans 06-16-2011 18:11:48 66.185.0.208 Report to Moderator	If you use long "jumper" cables to power the winch, make sure you unplug the trailer plug before using it. If the ground cable isn't connected well, the 400 or so amps will try to travel back to the battery via the trailer plug connection. You will melt the wiring harness from the front to the back of the truck in about 2 seconds. [Reply]   [No Email]
smallercrawler 06-17-2011 15:48:33 166.82.254.181 Report to Moderator	Re: Dual Use For Winch in reply to JimEvans, 06-16-2011 18:11:48   Jim, your point is well taken. To minimize this I have done the following: Winch negative is solid welding cable from bumper plug to battery post; negative is grounded to truck frame rail at rear plug; both batteries have auxilliary grounds from negative posts to solid frame rail grounds. All ground conductors are welding cable, crimped and soldered to terminals, bolts use radially ridged lock washers on both sides of connections, all frame points were clean. Lots of overkill, buuuuut? Could fuse truck side of trailer plug ground pin at connector with fast blow. (Hitch/ball will also provide somewhat of a ground path.) You've got me thinking unplugging still might be the safest idea, thanks for raising the point; old adage about two heads better than one always applies. [Reply]  [No Email]