Winch Power Options

[BanjoBani]

The dealership is doing to some warranty work on my new to me rubicon gladiator. After that is done I want to install the off road front bumper with a winch set up.

The service rep said there can be some problems with wiring up a winch that could affect the warranty. I want to keep the warranty for a bit so that I can work out any remaining bugs. He said that I could leave the winch unwired and just use an outside power source if I need it.

I actually like this idea because I can see how running the winch off of the Jeep battery might cause an issue. I thought of using a portable battery, but that might be awkward. What about installing a battery designed just to operate the winch, one that is not connected to the jeep’s electronics?

What are the options?

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[fourfa]

I get the idea, and you could certainly have a big lead-acid house battery to power the winch, with a DC-DC charger to maintain it from the engine. A Gladiator-sized winch at can pull 300-400 amps at stall, so you're talking about a monster load, not just some 15A trail lights. I don't think lithium house batteries are quite there right now - mine will throw its internal breaker after 10 sec of 200A (which isn't enough)

But I'd push back hard on the whole idea. If a Jeep dealer wants to deny warranty based on a proper winch install (something Jeep offers from the factory in a Wrangler) I'd tell them to pound sand and find another dealer. Running it from the starter battery, where the wire runs are short and simple and well protected, where the running engine can best keep up with the winch drain, is by far the best setup. Millions of Jeeps with winches have been doing this for generations with no ill effects. What a joke.

 

[BanjoBani]

Yes. I thought of pushing back in it… going to another dealership to have them wire the winch. I am not sure I buy it.

The guy who told me this also said that an off road bumper would void the warranty because it’s too heavy. I made a face and told him I had the Rubicon. He said it would be okay then, but then told me the whole thing about the electronics. So who knows.

 

[BanjoBani]

Also, I guess I should have said that I had thought of rigging a way to hook the winch up so I could disconnect it from the battery when I wasn’t using it. Also thought his battery could run a compressor as well.

 

[Biff Happy]

The service rep said there can be some problems with wiring up a winch that could affect the warranty. I want to jeep the warranty for a bit so that I can work out any remaining bugs. He said that I could leave the winch unwired and just use an outside power source if I need it.


What are the options?

??
what problems? The winch is not wired into the jeep, just directly to the battery.
And an external power source? He wants you to lug around another battery? When you’ve got a perfectly good one right there already? Where does he want you to store it? Farther away and you need bigger cables. Is he gonna come over and charge it for you daily?

 

[BanjoBani]

I don’t know… I know sometimes people rig up a dual battery… I’m guessing to run things like compressors? We had a dodge diesel that had two batteries. And I guess the gladiator already has one extra aux battery, but I wouldn’t want to mess with that.

I was thinking it could be stored in the engine compartment… just attach an extra battery bracket.

I thought maybe it was something to think about. I guess you could rig it like a camper battery… to charge off the Jeep battery when going down the road and then have a switch to disconnect it.

 

[KevinM60]

The dealership is doing to some warranty work on my new to me rubicon gladiator. After that is done I want to install the off road front bumper with a winch set up.

The service rep said there can be some problems with wiring up a winch that could affect the warranty. I want to keep the warranty for a bit so that I can work out any remaining bugs. He said that I could leave the winch unwired and just use an outside power source if I need it.

I actually like this idea because I can see how running the winch off of the Jeep battery might cause an issue. I thought of using a portable battery, but that might be awkward. What about installing a battery designed just to operate the winch, one that is not connected to the jeep’s electronics?

What are the options?

Did the service rep specify that wiring a winch to the battery could void the warranty or did he generalize that an improper connection could void the warranty?

 

[BanjoBani]

He was sort of vague about it, but I was asking about having it installed at the dealership so I assumed he meant even a proper connection could void it.

 

[OldButStillJeeping]

Wiring and installing a winch shouldn't be a warranty issue, unless you are paying a dealer to do it.
They see dollar signs and will do it and sell you an extended warranty to cover it.

Hint: Never ask the dealer about aftermarket ad-ons. Find a freind on here or other places and get in the know.

Hire a 4WD specialist to do it for you., If you can't do it yourself.

 

[BanjoBani]

Okay. That’s makes sense actually.

Ugh. I think I am tired of these dealerships.
….working on getting in the know

 

[Rusty PW]

The winches on Power Wagons are wired directly to the battery from the factory. Both the positive and negative cables. That service rep is blowing sunshine up your butt.

 

[Biff Happy]

I don’t know… I know sometimes people rig up a dual battery… I’m guessing to run things like compressors? We had a dodge diesel that had two batteries. And I guess the gladiator already has one extra aux battery, but I wouldn’t want to mess with that.

I was thinking it could be stored in the engine compartment… just attach an extra battery bracket.

I thought maybe it was something to think about. I guess you could rig it like a camper battery… to charge off the Jeep battery when going down the road and then have a switch to disconnect it.

The auxiliary battery Is not like a dual battery (just for start/stop mostly), there are set ups for a dual system. But it’s not just bolt on, so you’re going to need help if you can’t install a winch (not judging, just an observation), if a winch may void the battery, a dual system definitely will (for this dealer), more invasive. Dealer service reps typically don’t know anything and will say anything (And act like they do know something).

 

[KevinM60]

The winches on Power Wagons are wired directly to the battery from the factory. Both the positive and negative cables. That service rep is blowing sunshine up your butt.

Or smoke.

 

[KevinM60]

Okay. That’s makes sense actually.

Ugh. I think I am tired of these dealerships.
….working on getting in the know

It depends on the dealer. The warranty carrier is the one who has to authorize or decline any warranty work. The dealer has to present the problem in a way that the carrier will approve. If they can’t word it properly the carrier will deny the work. When I had my engine replaced on warranty I saw how the wording was carefully presented to fall within the correct parameters for approval.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Really funny - the general manager (GM) of the dealer I use had their shop install the warn winch and MOPAR winch plate on his Wrangler.
They have zero problems with winches wired properly (and it's simple as heck, really)

Why did the GM have a winch installed? "because it just looks cool" - that's his exact quote when he told me (I had asked about their price on the MOPAR winch plate)

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