Badlands 12K Winch Battery Power Question

Breto31

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I have a Badlands 12K winch - please spare me the “that’s the last winch I’d buy” pitch - I know what I’ve got.

My question - would the winch be drawing power when not in use? The Badlands have an optional disconnect switch that you can install if you want. I didn’t install it, thinking that there’s no reason that you would need it since the winch only draws power when it’s in use, but now I’m questioning that….. EDIT: The remote is also a wireless remote. It comes with a wire to run it directly off of the winch too. Mine is currently setup as a wireless option. Not sure if that matters.

While the jeep has been sitting more this winter in my garage (plus adding baby #2 to the mix makes the jeep daycare pickup trips few and far between), I’ve noticed that my battery seems to be fairly sluggish when I start it after a few days of sitting. It always turns over, but after the jeep sits for about 4-5 days, when I turn the key it slowly turns the engine - the lights flash/dim - and then it turns over. I have KC lights with a toggle switch, and the winch ran off the battery. Nothing else.

The battery is only about 3 years old. It lives in the garage, but driven pretty regularly (at least started or driven once per week in the winter). When I started it today, the voltage meter reads above 14 as soon as I start it.
 
The winch shouldn't be drawing anything.
I have a Warn with a wireless controller also and I'm wired direct to the battery , no disconnect installed or needed. But functionally it's the same as yours.

As far as your battery is concerned your winch motor and starter motor are the same thing, just motors, and until the switch is closed neither one of them are asking for or getting anything power wise.

I think the biggest drain you have is, too many babies!
Cuttin' into the Jeep drive time, and no doubt the parts funds as well.
 
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it "shouldn't" draw any power, it may be drawing less than an amp for the wireless remote function (not familiar on how this particular winch is wired) but realistically this will likely be a non-issue even if it is drawing power. A simple test would be to disconnect the winch for a week and see if you still have a parasitic draw problem, that or your battery could just be getting tired. They don't like the cold (or the heat down here in TX) and 3-4 years is pretty standard for low quality battery life.
 
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As above, there's nothing in the winch itself that should be drawing power. But its wireless controller might, you might try disconnecting it when you're not going wheeling.

Just make sure you attached the winch's ground lead directly to the battery, it cannot be grounded/connected to the chassis or tub or it can cause major/fatal damage to the various small gauge ground connections scattered around the Jeep.
 
I have a Badlands 12K winch - please spare me the “that’s the last winch I’d buy” pitch - I know what I’ve got.

My question - would the winch be drawing power when not in use? The Badlands have an optional disconnect switch that you can install if you want. I didn’t install it, thinking that there’s no reason that you would need it since the winch only draws power when it’s in use, but now I’m questioning that….. EDIT: The remote is also a wireless remote. It comes with a wire to run it directly off of the winch too. Mine is currently setup as a wireless option. Not sure if that matters.

While the jeep has been sitting more this winter in my garage (plus adding baby #2 to the mix makes the jeep daycare pickup trips few and far between), I’ve noticed that my battery seems to be fairly sluggish when I start it after a few days of sitting. It always turns over, but after the jeep sits for about 4-5 days, when I turn the key it slowly turns the engine - the lights flash/dim - and then it turns over. I have KC lights with a toggle switch, and the winch ran off the battery. Nothing else.

The battery is only about 3 years old. It lives in the garage, but driven pretty regularly (at least started or driven once per week in the winter). When I started it today, the voltage meter reads above 14 as soon as I start it.

x2 on above. As I understand it, the purpose of the cutoff switch is not to avoid parasitic draw, but rather to provide the ability to disconnect the winch in the case of a runaway. Also, there are some that don't like the idea of a live high amperage power lead connected directly to the battery exposed at the front of the jeep, which could theoretically cause a problem in an accident, etc. The disconnect can negate this issue when the winch is not in use.
 
x2 on above. As I understand it, the purpose of the cutoff switch is not to avoid parasitic draw, but rather to provide the ability to disconnect the winch in the case of a runaway. Also, there are some that don't like the idea of a live high amperage power lead connected directly to the battery exposed at the front of the jeep, which could theoretically cause a problem in an accident, etc. The disconnect can negate this issue when the winch is not in use.

x2 on above. As I understand it, the purpose of the cutoff switch is not to avoid parasitic draw, but rather to provide the ability to disconnect the winch in the case of a runaway. Also, there are some that don't like the idea of a live high amperage power lead connected directly to the battery exposed at the front of the jeep, which could theoretically cause a problem in an accident, etc. The disconnect can negate this issue when the winch is not in use.

If driving the Jeep is short, infrequent trips, the battery may not be enough time charging to keep the battery fully charged. Using the starter at both ends of your child runs and charge loss from sitting is a good formula for battery failure.
 
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If driving the Jeep is short, infrequent trips, the battery may not be enough time charging to keep the battery fully charged. Using the starter at both ends of your child runs and charge loss from sitting is a good formula for battery failure.

Did you intend to reply to my post? If so, I don't see the connection.
 
Clamp only works on a single ac line. Not dc. You’ll have to go in series on amp scale to read dc current.

If you have the right clamp it will read DC.

IMG_8931.JPG
 
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Yes I was commenting on your problem. Your issue may be type and frequency of use not a parasitic draw.

I don't have a problem - I am not the OP. Hence my confusion at your previous reply.
 
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Holy cow wouldn’t have believed it if I didn’t see it. When did they come up with that trick? Been outta the business for too long!

Not sure when but I found the basic models still dont do DC current. That meter was not crazy expensive though, I think in the $80 range.
 
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