Member Since: 02 Dec 2005
Location: Bradford, West Yorkshire
Posts: 6100
Winch Power Fuse
I'm in the process of fitting my Superwinch EP9 to the D3, I have a cutout switch but am thinking I should probably fuse the main power feed as there is a hefty current flow which if shorted could go up like a Christmas tree
Has anyone fitted such a fuse and if so any recommendations on a supplier and appropriate rating etc please? The maximum current draw at full load is 350A2020 BMW X1 18d XDrive X-Line Auto
29th Jan 2008 9:43 am
Rob Bruce
Member Since: 18 Jun 2006
Location: Canberra
Posts: 687
I have never put a fuse on a winch, and dont know eneyone who has one, just make sure the cables cannot rub on metal parts and cause a short, and be able to isolate the power in an emergencey ie. as you quoted a switch.
by the way a 350 amp fuse is a very big mother and if available for 12 volt would be very pricey, also the voltage put through a fuse is not so important but it has to be very robust.
Rob
29th Jan 2008 10:18 am
heine
Member Since: 07 Feb 2007
Location: Midrand
Posts: 4054
Not much point in putting in a fuse that big . It will probably not pop even if there is a dead short . Rather rely on the cut out switch so that the power is disabled to the winch when not in use
My 2c
29th Jan 2008 11:36 am
Martin Site Admin and Owner
Member Since: 06 Nov 2004
Location: Hook Norton
Posts: 18448
Biggest current rated fuse I can find is 250A.06 D3 SE / 15 LR D90 XS SW / 88 LR 90 Td5 / 68 BMW 2000 ti
Any issues with the site let me know!
29th Jan 2008 11:39 am
CFB
Member Since: 02 Dec 2005
Location: Bradford, West Yorkshire
Posts: 6100
Thanks all, will just use the cutout then.2020 BMW X1 18d XDrive X-Line Auto
29th Jan 2008 12:14 pm
AndrewW
Member Since: 06 Aug 2007
Location: Saddleworth
Posts: 2302
Thermal trip?
sensor on supply cable, (big) isolator solenoid...
My 2¢2006 D3 finally swapped for a 2016 D4 Graphite in Graphite grey. No mods
29th Jan 2008 12:16 pm
robsmith
Member Since: 02 Sep 2007
Location: Staffordshire
Posts: 2392
250A fuse - tidler - I've a 2500A/1200V fuse on my desk which is a reasonable size, not the biggest I've seen.
For the duty you are talking about on a winch even 350A might not be enough, my old Husky would draw 400A from the batteries until they were DEAD (a pair of Optima yellow tops in parallel for the winch). A thermal trip might be useable, but its rating it would be a nightmare given the duty cycle we throw at winches - fairly long duration, high currents so a high thermal duty.
The question "What are you trying to protect?" comes to mind, if its the battery, then you are looking at protecting against a dead short for a few hundred mili-seconds it works out at someting in the region of 1000A - much the same as a stalled winch which is a "normal" operating situation. To protect the cable the sums are a bit better, assuming a half decent bit of electric string it will probably take 1000A for half a minute before it starts to get a bit too warm. You can get things that will do this sort of protection duty, but they aren't fuses they are circuit breakers - expensive circuit breakers, big expensive circuit breakers......
Personally I've never protected a winch with a fuse. but I have protected against a cable fault by having a big switch at the battery end of the cable to the winch whihc I always turned OFF when I'd finished with the winch (very embarassing if you don't turn it ON before you start to use the winch....)Rob Smith
Silver rools OK
29th Jan 2008 12:54 pm
heine
Member Since: 07 Feb 2007
Location: Midrand
Posts: 4054
Agreed - the best bet is to ensure that you have a good installation with the correct thickness cable , routed properly , so that it can't get damaged , and then only have power to the winch when using it , via the said cut out switch . The rest comes down to not overheating the winch during operation
29th Jan 2008 1:03 pm
xtc
Member Since: 27 Mar 2007
Location: Hampshire
Posts: 1072
Agree, would not put a fuse in winch power supply. The warn setup on mine has a solenoid that operates with the ignition so winch only works with ign on.. 2 benefits.. Driver can stop winch immediately if a problem or smoke! and it means no power to winch when vehicle unattended. Stops the paper clip brigade trashing the winch by jumping the remote socket!!
If you need high power fuses for other acc's these are very good :-
http://www.power-store.com/?id=202
Power Store is a good source for all 12v professional wiring kit...Off Roading is OK.... But I'd rather be Boating!
31st Jan 2008 8:30 pm
CFB
Member Since: 02 Dec 2005
Location: Bradford, West Yorkshire
Posts: 6100
Solenoid sounds a good idea, anyone know where to get one? Got it all fitted and working today, hidden mount is 8)
Scared myself witless though and managed to burn my arm badly, I was reaching down to cable tie in the battery leads when my metal watch strap touched the battery + and the metal - of the FBH, massive sparks and the watch got red hot taking a large chunk of skin with it 2020 BMW X1 18d XDrive X-Line Auto
31st Jan 2008 9:31 pm
heine
Member Since: 07 Feb 2007
Location: Midrand
Posts: 4054
CFB I managed to do the same once with my wedding ring . Problem was that I couldn't get it off quick enough . I now take both watch and ring off before going near the car
31st Jan 2008 9:52 pm
craig
Member Since: 08 Aug 2006
Location: Home of LR.
Posts: 2545
cotefarmboy wrote:
Solenoid sounds a good idea, anyone know where to get one? Got it all fitted and working today, hidden mount is 8)
Scared myself witless though and managed to burn my arm badly, I was reaching down to cable tie in the battery leads when my metal watch strap touched the battery + and the metal - of the FBH, massive sparks and the watch got red hot taking a large chunk of skin with it
Used to deal with K3 power plant in the telecomms business - went on a maintenance course in Sweden and they had some interesting photos of damage to people caused by wedding rings and watches at 1500 amps...
some poor guy lost a whole hand when his watch touched both copper busbars
Hope it heels quick Andy.
31st Jan 2008 10:15 pm
xtc
Member Since: 27 Mar 2007
Location: Hampshire
Posts: 1072
Hope it was not a Rolex!! Seriously though, hope it heals soon...
Not sure what relay is fitted on mine as installled by the chaps at LRE. Had a quick surf and this looks like it would do the job.
http://www.lewis4x4.co.uk/shop.asp?ItemID=...0products!
But there are loads if you do a google search.
The relay could be wired to the ignition as mine is or just a switch in the cabin to turn on and of when needed. That's prob better as would only be on when needed but can still be isolated very quicky from inside if needed.Off Roading is OK.... But I'd rather be Boating!
31st Jan 2008 10:38 pm
CFB
Member Since: 02 Dec 2005
Location: Bradford, West Yorkshire
Posts: 6100
Course it was a Rolex, melted to a lump Mr Insurance assessor, had to bin it 2020 BMW X1 18d XDrive X-Line Auto
31st Jan 2008 10:48 pm
craig
Member Since: 08 Aug 2006
Location: Home of LR.
Posts: 2545
cotefarmboy wrote:
Course it was a Rolex, melted to a lump Mr Insurance assessor, had to bin it
Scams, Fiddles and Honest Claims on Channel 4 at moment - interesting watching
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