![ReidMcT](/data/avatars/m/8/8746.jpg?1508379356)
I used my newly installed SuperATV 3500 winch today. At first, it was fine, then it was not. I was using it to pull a force of no more than 50 pounds - using a block and tackle to help me move some heavy stuff. After winding in about 25 feet of rope, the winch stopped. I pushed the (remote control) button again, and it wound in about another foot, then stopped again. To wind in the last 10 feet or so of rope (with no load at all) took several minutes of start/stop/wait/repeat.
Is the winch sensitive to voltage? Was just I running down my (stock 700) battery? I had the engine idling the whole time, but I don't think the alternator does much - if anything - at idle.
Does this sound like an expected problem with the stock battery and not running the engine at higher revs? It's a new (3 months) battery, FWIW. I'll do the auxilliary battery route if necessary, but I don't want to do it if the real problem is something else.
Surely it wasn't a thermal protection kicking in? If so, then this winch overheats far too easily (small load, short pull). The instructions say not to run it for more than a minute at full load. I wasn't close to that.
The only other thing I can think of is maybe the connection to the key-on positive wire is not as good as it should be. Thinking back on the scene, I can't swear that I recall hearing the solenoid click the times when I pressed the remote and the winch did not turn. I used the cheap piggyback wiring connector that came with the kit. Maybe that should be the first thing I check?
I've never owned/used a winch before, so hopefully this problem is well understood by you veterans. I look forward to your help and advice.
Is the winch sensitive to voltage? Was just I running down my (stock 700) battery? I had the engine idling the whole time, but I don't think the alternator does much - if anything - at idle.
Does this sound like an expected problem with the stock battery and not running the engine at higher revs? It's a new (3 months) battery, FWIW. I'll do the auxilliary battery route if necessary, but I don't want to do it if the real problem is something else.
Surely it wasn't a thermal protection kicking in? If so, then this winch overheats far too easily (small load, short pull). The instructions say not to run it for more than a minute at full load. I wasn't close to that.
The only other thing I can think of is maybe the connection to the key-on positive wire is not as good as it should be. Thinking back on the scene, I can't swear that I recall hearing the solenoid click the times when I pressed the remote and the winch did not turn. I used the cheap piggyback wiring connector that came with the kit. Maybe that should be the first thing I check?
I've never owned/used a winch before, so hopefully this problem is well understood by you veterans. I look forward to your help and advice.