Will a Winch run off a cigarette lighter?

A friend of mine gave me a 2500 ATV winch. Because it's powered through a remote I don't plan on installing it on my ATV because on the rare occasion that its needed the remotes battery will likely be dead. What I would like to do with it is mount it on a removeable 2 x 6 in the box of my truck so I can lift and drag my cartopper boat into the box a lot easier. Would there be enough power in a fish finder battery for example (usually 7 amp or 8 amp) to run this thing or could I even jury rig a connector for the trucks cigarette lighter?
Usually the simplest is always the most efficient so if this doesn't work then I'll just go to a Beaver hoist set-up. Your thoughts.

No. With no weight attached, it may run for a half a minute. Most of those winches have a 30-40 amp fuse or circuit breaker. Even the cigarette lighter won't do it. If you have a 7 pin plug at the back of your truck, one of those pins is wired for 30 amp. I've seen guys use that plug at the back with an ATV winch to power their 14-16 foot boats onto the trailer.

My 2018 only has 20a to that 7 pin connector, I assume the usual cost cutting of auto makers. It wouldn't even handle trickle charging a decent sized auxiliary battery I had for camping.


Sawbill, what's a beaver hoist setup?

There are a whole bunch of factors in winching. Number of line wraps on the spool and the weight you are pulling including drag is another.

At full load a 2,500 lbs. winch can draw up to 170 amps so definitely a direct connect job to a full size battery.
Here is an owners manual for reference on a Champion winch.

https://y79961nbs4u2hvbnwronx9zx-wpe...om-english.pdf


For the occasional use you could also use a portable battery box such at this one on sale at CTC.
It would also do double duty such as running and charging electronics such as a fish finder or floodlight...etc.


https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/m...?rrec=true#spc

If the winch is going to be in the box, it shouldn't be that far from your truck battery? Perhaps you could get some 10 ga. or 8 ga. wire with heavy alligator clips and rig it up that way?

I have one of those portable winches that you can mount to the hitch ball in an emergency. It is 12 volt, 2000lb, and it uses a cable with alligator clips that you connect directly to the battery.

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Originally Posted by rf2

I have one of those portable winches that you can mount to the hitch ball in an emergency. It is 12 volt, 2000lb, and it uses a cable with alligator clips that you connect directly to the battery.

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I have the same one for my UTV.
It has come in handy a couple of times already.

https://www.amazon.ca/Champion-Power...0&sr=8-16&th=1

I installed one on a Honda Big Red, I plugged it in the cigar lighter plug in that was on the bike. Worked great. Might of been a 1500 lb.

A bit of physics.

Watts (power) is joules/second (energy per unit time). To lift 1 pound in 1 second would take 1.345/1 = 1.345 watts.

The output of a cigarette lighter is 10 amps fused circuit. So, OHMS law states that P=IxE which is 10 amps X 12 volts for a maximum of 120 watts.

120 watts divided by 1.345 = a lift of 89.22 lbs.

Using the same formula, at 170 amp draw the lift would be 1,516.73 lbs.
We never lift off the ground but simply drag along a surface and it also brings in another coefficient called friction.

There, enough said....lol. Time to refresh my beverage.

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Originally Posted by impact

A bit of physics.

Watts (power) is joules/second (energy per unit time). To lift 1 pound in 1 second would take 1.345/1 = 1.345 watts.

The output of a cigarette lighter is 10 amps fused circuit. So, OHMS law states that P=IxE which is 10 amps X 12 volts for a maximum of 120 watts.

120 watts divided by 1.345 = a lift of 89.22 lbs.

Using the same formula, at 170 amp draw the lift would be 1,516.73 lbs.
We never lift off the ground but simply drag along a surface and it also brings in another coefficient called friction.

There, enough said....lol. Time to refresh my beverage.

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Impact, I knew someone was going to screw with my head.
It never even dawned on me to use the trailer connector for power. Anyway, I caved and actually read the specs in the manual. It said the winch needed a minimum of 12 Amps which is considerably larger than a fish finder battery. Given this, I came up with the brain wave to use my little 2 ton Beaver hoist as the simplest solution. By hand I can lift the stern of the boat onto the tailgait and use the hoist to drag it most of the way into the box.

Always the possibility of using a small block and tackle set up. I made one years ago to lift deer for butchering. Another possibility, use a boat winch bolted to the inside of the back of your truck box.

I thought about the boat winch but don't they need a full 360 degree turn on the handle to work? I don't think there's enough clearance to get a full rotation. Seems like the block and tackle is the simplest and easiest to set up. And I do have a 2T hoist that I can maybe use.

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Originally Posted by impact

A bit of physics.

Watts (power) is joules/second (energy per unit time). To lift 1 pound in 1 second would take 1.345/1 = 1.345 watts.

The output of a cigarette lighter is 10 amps fused circuit. So, OHMS law states that P=IxE which is 10 amps X 12 volts for a maximum of 120 watts.

120 watts divided by 1.345 = a lift of 89.22 lbs.

Using the same formula, at 170 amp draw the lift would be 1,516.73 lbs.
We never lift off the ground but simply drag along a surface and it also brings in another coefficient called friction.

There, enough said....lol. Time to refresh my beverage.

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Ya, that's what I was going to say also. I didn't want to confuse Sawbill.

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Originally Posted by sawbill

Impact, I knew someone was going to screw with my head.
It never even dawned on me to use the trailer connector for power. Anyway, I caved and actually read the specs in the manual. It said the winch needed a minimum of 12 Amps which is considerably larger than a fish finder battery. Given this, I came up with the brain wave to use my little 2 ton Beaver hoist as the simplest solution. By hand I can lift the stern of the boat onto the tailgait and use the hoist to drag it most of the way into the box.

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Yep, sometimes the simplest mechanical solutions are the best.

HAHAHAHA Sawbill read the manual, Sawbill read the manual. Man card suspended 24 hours.....if it is a first offence. (jk)
John

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Originally Posted by sawbill

I thought about the boat winch but don't they need a full 360 degree turn on the handle to work? I don't think there's enough clearance to get a full rotation. Seems like the block and tackle is the simplest and easiest to set up. And I do have a 2T hoist that I can maybe use.

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I saw a guy with a boat winch mounted to his back rack for clearance and ran the cable through a snatch block on the bed floor to direct it out the back.

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Originally Posted by johnjyb

HAHAHAHA Sawbill read the manual, Sawbill read the manual. Man card suspended 24 hours.....if it is a first offence. (jk)
John

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That right there is funny!

I knew better than to mention on this site that I read the manual finally. Thats akin to Greatwhite admitting to his wood pile falling over. (See, GW, I didn't even mention it fell on your wifes car)

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Originally Posted by impact

A bit of physics.

Watts (power) is joules/second (energy per unit time). To lift 1 pound in 1 second would take 1.345/1 = 1.345 watts.

The output of a cigarette lighter is 10 amps fused circuit. So, OHMS law states that P=IxE which is 10 amps X 12 volts for a maximum of 120 watts.

120 watts divided by 1.345 = a lift of 89.22 lbs.

Using the same formula, at 170 amp draw the lift would be 1,516.73 lbs.
We never lift off the ground but simply drag along a surface and it also brings in another coefficient called friction.

There, enough said....lol. Time to refresh my beverage.

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Now you got wondering if I lost my mind lol.
This was a long time ago but I do know for sure I installed a winch on a Honda Big Red three wheeler. lol
Maybe my brain is fuzzy on how I hooked it up?
If I remember correctly there was a cigar lighter plug in (or I got my bikes mixed up??) but I think there was also a two prong connection on the side maybe that's where I plugged it in??? I'm pretty sure it wasn't directly on the battery.
I think I kept the winch so will check wiring if I can find it.
Sorry sawbill I didn't want to give you wrong information....

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Originally Posted by Deer Hunter

This was a long time ago but I do know for sure I installed a winch on a Honda Big Red three wheeler. lol
Maybe my brain is fuzzy on how I hooked it up?
If I remember correctly there was a cigar lighter plug in (or I got my bikes mixed up??) but I think there was also a two prong connection on the side maybe that's where I plugged it in??? .

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You right Hunter..I have the owners manual for my 84 Big Red in front of me...It's an aux 12v DC power supply just beside the headlight mounting bracket. It's 12V 60 Watt (5 AMP) outlet. It even recommends AWG 18 -AWG 20 wire. I still have the black rubber plug it for it..they usually get lost :)

SawBill...I have a small winch mounted on my lawn tractor that is used to raise and lower the blower attachment. I don't know the specs...and it's too cold (-27) to go out yet and look. It's very strong and not too big, would be great on an ATV for quick pulls.

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Originally Posted by Deer Hunter

Now you got wondering if I lost my mind lol.
This was a long time ago but I do know for sure I installed a winch on a Honda Big Red three wheeler. lol
Maybe my brain is fuzzy on how I hooked it up?
If I remember correctly there was a cigar lighter plug in (or I got my bikes mixed up??) but I think there was also a two prong connection on the side maybe that's where I plugged it in??? I'm pretty sure it wasn't directly on the battery.
I think I kept the winch so will check wiring if I can find it.
Sorry sawbill I didn't want to give you wrong information....

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The way it works is that you use a low current source such as a cigarette lighter to energize a solenoid with a modestly small switch that is single pole / double throw (forward and reverse / in - out motion of the winch cable). In effect, reversing the polarity. The high load side usually connects to a battery through the solenoid to permit high current draw. Without the solenoid, you would need a mega switch.

I think I best go with my beaver hoist and rope. Otherwise I'd have to get Bushmoose to wire the contraption for me and he'd probably blow every fuse in the neighborhood.

I took an old Warn 2500 ATV winch and mounted it on a 3 foot piece of 4X4. It works great for pulling my 6x8 ice hut up the ramps onto my flatbed trailer. I just use two ropes and tie the 4x4 onto my trucks bumper. Freespool the winch cable back to my hut, then hook it up to a marine crank battery. Works fantastic for loading the hut, dead lawn tractors, dead atvs, etc.

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Originally Posted by Fenelon

I took an old Warn 2500 ATV winch and mounted it on a 3 foot piece of 4X4. It works great for pulling my 6x8 ice hut up the ramps onto my flatbed trailer. I just use two ropes and tie the 4x4 onto my trucks bumper. Freespool the winch cable back to my hut, then hook it up to a marine crank battery. Works fantastic for loading the hut, dead lawn tractors, dead atvs, etc.

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Yep, simple set up. It's only being used temporarily, so in my mind, no need for all the fancy rigging of solenoids n such. No need to complicate what is such an easy straight forward deal? 2 wires from winch to switch. 2 wires from switch to battery and Bob's yer uncle! If you don't have and uncle Bob, Sawbill, you will if you follow my advice. :thumbup:

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Originally Posted by MikePal

You right Hunter..I have the owners manual for my 84 Big Red in front of me...It's an aux 12v DC power supply just beside the headlight mounting bracket. It's 12V 60 Watt (5 AMP) outlet. It even recommends AWG 18 -AWG 20 wire. I still have the black rubber plug it for it..they usually get lost :)

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Thanks MikePal I think that’s exactly how it was set up. Back in them days I’m sure it was a smaller winch then what we see today.
Those Big Red are a great machine. I think mine was a 86 bought used and I also had a Yamaha 83 or there about that I bought new. I then got a Polaris four wheeler and now regret selling the two trikes. Thinking about it today the Polaris has the cigar lighter.

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Originally Posted by impact

The way it works is that you use a low current source such as a cigarette lighter to energize a solenoid with a modestly small switch that is single pole / double throw (forward and reverse / in - out motion of the winch cable). In effect, reversing the polarity. The high load side usually connects to a battery through the solenoid to permit high current draw. Without the solenoid, you would need a mega switch.

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Thanks impact!
Electrical isn’t my forte, I was just a kid with big dreams! lol ;)
I don’t remember all the details but I’m sure someone with electrical knowledge helped me figure it out. :thumbup:

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Originally Posted by Deer Hunter

Thanks impact!
Electrical isn’t my forte, I was just a kid with big dreams! lol ;)
I don’t remember all the details but I’m sure someone with electrical knowledge helped me figure it out. :thumbup:

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No worries. I have a heavy engineering background so just giving tips to those who ask.
It can get real frustrating when your project keeps blowing fuses all the time or worse yet the wires get real hot.....lol