Is 4 awg cable enough for a 9,000 lb winch?

jkufen · Jun 18, 2013

I am working on a dual battery setup for my 1986 b2 and I found an article that has a diagram and it uses an 80a solenoid and 4 awg wire. I am trying to determine if that is good enough for my setup or not. The Warn website says that my 9000 lb winch with a heavy load uses 400+ amps??? Am I reading it wrong? I was just gonna do what the diagram showed and buy a set of 4 awg jumper cables and cut the ends off. Any help?

Frank The Tank · Jun 18, 2013

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-DcNu1gQWt2T/learn/learningcenter/car/cable_gauge_chart.html

Here's a nifty chart I found based off stereo systems but should be applicable. Looks like you are in 2 gauge territory.

UrbanRedneckKid · Jun 18, 2013

Go to your local welding supply, the cable is much more flexible, carries more current, and is much much cheaper.

jkufen · Jun 18, 2013

ok well an idea how to make a positive and negative post under the hood of my b2 if I move the battery to the rear? I was told the winch needs to be grounded to the battery and not to the frame someplace. I was wanting to make the terminals under the hood so that I can run my lights and winch to the terminal and not have to run them all the way to the rear of the truck to the battery.

UrbanRedneckKid · Jun 18, 2013

Insulated stud
***google it.

UrbanRedneckKid · Jun 18, 2013

This is how I do them in the race cars. The cables aren't pictured in the under-dash pic, but you can see the two insulated studs they go to.

shane96ranger · Jun 18, 2013

UrbanRedneckKid said:
Go to your local welding supply, the cable is much more flexible, carries more current, and is much much cheaper.

This.

My Buddy does this for his stereo's all the time.

bobbywalter · Jun 19, 2013

jkufen said:
I am working on a dual battery setup for my 1986 b2 and I found an article that has a diagram and it uses an 80a solenoid and 4 awg wire. I am trying to determine if that is good enough for my setup or not. The Warn website says that my 9000 lb winch with a heavy load uses 400+ amps??? Am I reading it wrong? I was just gonna do what the diagram showed and buy a set of 4 awg jumper cables and cut the ends off. Any help?

4 ga is the minimum. 400 amps for damn sure when they get warm.

i use the fram for ground, but have 2 ga gd to bat as well.

if you go to a big welding supply shop they often have roll ends that will get you 2 ga for a great price.

advanced auto has a 2 ga clear cover for a good price by the foot as well. 2.20 last i bought...1.88 some years back. the welding cable is better though. i actually got a 22foot roll end for 25 bux last year.

already mentioned ...isolated posts are a good way to go for the battery relocation to simplify the starter/interior power circuits.

Is 4 awg cable enough for a 9,000 lb winch?

jkufen

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Frank The Tank

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UrbanRedneckKid

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jkufen

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UrbanRedneckKid

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