24V winch on 12V system

[The Smiths]

I have an opportunity to get a 24V winch for a good price :) .

What is the best way of upping my 12V battery to use it :? .

[Evilgoat]

Two batteries in series. Will be a pain to charge as you'll need to switch between parralell, split charge to series connected to use it.

[Terranosaurus]

Or you could turn the whole truck over to 24v with a new alternator and replace all bulbs and lots more.

[Xtremeteam]

or fit a 12v motor for much cheapness

[The Smiths]

Two batteries in series. Will be a pain to charge as you'll need to switch between parralell, split charge to series connected to use it.

Auto electrics are not really my thing - have scared myself in the past, a long time ago, melted wires solenoids etc :shock: . But can wire houses, 2 way lighting not a problem.

In simplistic terms would the following work (or what would):

Standard battery as is (negative ground all positive connections as is)

Second battery positive to winch. Negative is connected to positive of first battery (putting a switch in so that they are not permanently connected)

A split charger system to charge the second battery.
Winch negative to first battery.

So it is a twin battery system, twin charging at 12 volts. Throw switch and winch gets 24 volts  

But throw switch and what would I fry with that setup :? ?




It seems over simplistic - so it must be wrong.

[Range Rover Blues]

You can't use a split charge that's designed for batteries in parallel to charge batteries in series.

For simplicity I'd echo what Mike said, fit a 12Volt motor and put the 24 volt one on flea-bay.

[hobbit]

I have a 24v system fitted in my disco, for a cab heating system, a couple of leasure batterys and a switch charger which inputs 12v and steps it up to 24v output, at about 10-12a

You can buy stronger ones too they are switched in from the alternator, and do not overcharge the 24v system

The other use is to re-charge my wife's electric runabout which also inputs 24v

But....these chargers are meant to charge over a time, the down side for your usage is that you could drain down the 24v system, and would have to wait for them to recharge again before using the winch again

[Wolfie]

The other option would be a 24v alternator and battery bank, separate from the existing electrical system and dedicated to the winch.

If my limited experienbce is correct, you will need to be running the engine to do any significant winching as the batteries will have limited capacity.

One thing you haven't told us is what you are intending to use the winch for.

If you are intending to get into serious winching in challenges then the advantages of the 24v motor might justify the expense of a 24v electical supply, if it's just going to be there for occasional use then a 12v motor might well end up as the most economical option.

Also, what winch is it? That will have some bearing on the availability of a 12v motor, could well be that there are loads of suitable motors knocking about if it's of a type that is popular in challenges and people have upgraded their motors which seems common.

Finally, do you really need a winch? I have used mine a total of 3 times in the 3+ years I have had it, but I'm happy to admit that it wasa only bought as an accessory to make the ARB bumper look right. If you're not planning on getting stuck, a Hi-Lift and shortening chains is a perfectly accepable alternative if things do go wrong, and is more flexible than a winch attached to the front of the car.