24V winch to 12V system

[Rangerat]

Hi all auto sparkys or someone that knows more about auto eletrics than me!
I can get hold of a 24V winch at the right price, is it posible to wire it up to the Rangie?
The rangie has dual batterys so 12+12 =24, that I can work out
It also has a voltage sensitive relay as part of the set up, so I'm guessing just wiring both battery's together for the winch would not be the go.
Any ideas or thoughts.
2 answers that spring to mind,
1. run 2 more batterys and a seperate charging system.
2. change the winch motor to 12V.
Taking everything into account, both work out at around the same price.

Cheers
Rat

[wjw]

You need to run both batteries in series that will give you 24V, but what complicates it, is that you need an isolator (that will kick in at a certain point) to make sure you don't drain your starting battery... also you'll need a couple of diodes in their to avoid the batteries draining each other.... other than that its easy

Am googling for a diagram, but havent found one yet

[Rangerat]

Yea right, easy, easy for you to say.
Whenever I touch the electrics I either get smoke or darkness.
The system you describe will work with a 12V system (as the Rangie is)
Note: The dual battery system I have, has already got all the stuff you mentioned,for 12V.
wouldn't running both batterys in series blow all the 12V stuff?

Now my head hurts, I'm out to the shed to finish the P76 (no wiring yet )

Rat

[wjw]

You will have to setup a complete seperate circuit for the 24V system including fuse boards.. etc.. you will also need to make sure everything is rated at 24V... It'll be a compicated setup but not impossible... the early series landies had both 12 and 24V, so maybe if theres one around where you are you could take a look.

I had no luck looking for diagrams last night

Best bet is to speak to your local auto electrical shop.... they should have/be able to order everything you need and suggest a way of connecting it.

The other option is a transformer to change the voltage from 12 to 24 but that will be inefficient as most transformers loose at least 10% of your current....

Everything I've read online however, suggests you swap the motor for a 12V one.... as it'll be easy. Although they do say the speed of the 24V motors is far superior.

My car currently has numerous voltages as I have lots of strange stuff in it ( I use transformers tho) oh and it could really do with another battery ..

1. CB Radio - 18V
2. 5.8Ghz Radio Receiver - 24V
3. Laptop - 14V

I bought some of those cheap transformers.... but for a 24V winch the transformer would cost alot... but if you know the Current it draws DSE would probably have one.

[wjw]

Okay,

If you use a transformer (Easiest way) you want one of these:

http://www.mastervolt.com/details.asp?Id=8

Their NZ website is http://www.mastervolt.co.nz/index.asp

As long as the current draw from the winch is less than 10A

[dctecho]

Gidday Rat
I am an auto sparky and I contemplated doing the same thing as you when I found a 24volt winch at a good price. You could run a 24volt charging system and tap all your 12volt requirements off one battery ,but that is not ideal as one battery will be under more load from the 12volt starter and not charge efficently. Another option is 24volt starter aswelll then you can run a smalll 24 to 12volt converter for lights ignition and accesories. There is a third option that is to use a high current series parallel contactor, bearing in mind a stalled 24volt winch motor can draw in excess of 200amps these are expensive. I would either be looking for a 12volt motor to suit your winch,most of the winch manufacturers use fairly common motors,or look into drivng it with a hydraulic motor and pump ,I checked out that option with mine and it was reasonably cheap..

hope this helps
cheers scotty

[wjw]

200 amps.... bugger me

[Rangerat]

Thanks guys.

I think I'll just chuck on a 12V motor, even with the price of that, it is still at the right price.

Rat

[Bodge]

Stalled 12V winch can draw over 400 AMPS and I found solenoids for that - not too pricey.

Best system would be to run a separate battery and charging system for the winch. You have plenty of room under the hood so why not run 24V alternator and battery system for the winch only then keep a compact single battery system with your 12V alternator for starting and aux. You won't be able to have air-con but who cares. You won't get stranded running your batteries down with the winch.

[Rangerat]

The thing is, I'll be running two winches, front and back.
The "right price" 24V is going on the front and I'll put my Ramsey 12V on the back.

I am still thinking of having a separate 24V system for the front winch, but then I will need to find the room for two more batterys etc.., then theres spares (winch motors etc...)

At this stage a new 12v motor looks the way to go.
As for air con, that got ripped out a long time ago!

Rat

[mercutio]

i am looking for a 24v winch at the right price i got an ex army landrover running 24v and i have been thinking of mid mounting the winch and running the cable through the holes in the chassis originally for the pto shaft around a pulley and then run the cable right to the front of the chassis would be awesome one winch and winch ability at both ends

[klompy]

Hi Mercutio can get a 9000 lb superwinch brand new for $1000.00 if your interested.

[mercutio]

oh man i wish i could afford that i must admit it is a good price though

[Rangerat]

Hi all
Same problem, new question.
If I just put a 12V motor on, can I use the same solenoids?
Warn 8274.

Rat

[dctecho]

No the solenoids will have 24volt coils to energise them so you will need to get 12volt ones,I wouldn't buy the warn supplied solenoids ,In my experience the heavy duty solenoids that are designed for hydraulic truck taillifts etc are cheaper and last longer (higher current rating) most auto sparky shops can supply these in 12 or 24volt.

cheers scotty