Battery Requirements for a 10k Winch (Warn Zeon 10s)?

nycgags · Jul 3, 2016

Looking at their specifications (click on specifications tab):

https://www.warn.com/truck/winches/ZEON_10-S_Pltnm.jsp

These amp numbers cannot be the draw, you couldn't wire it to draw that much current, right?

They do say they recommend a 650CCA battery (which I believe means for only 5 seconds).

Just trying to make sense of these advertised amp specs and how it relates to what my power requirements are both in terms of batteries and alternator and if a high output alternator is required to safely operate this winch.

Fcal · Jul 3, 2016

I ran an M8000 on stock battery with no problem.
Can't see the 10000 being much different.
Just keep your motor running.

NoGaBiker · Jul 3, 2016

I have a Xeon 10s with stock 2014 battery and no problems so far.

crippled · Jul 4, 2016

My OEM battery had a cell die within 8 months of owning my 14. The dealer was getting ready to close (on a sat.) and the jeep would not start without a jump. Called a local Batteries Plus and they had a Duracell 850cca instock for 119 bucks with a 48 month warranty. He told me its a very popular battery for modified jeeps and he sells at least one a week to a modified jeep. He told me most car manufactures these days contract out the batteries to manufactures over seas who skimp on quality

Rossinonte · Mar 18, 2017

The instructions say to wire straight to the battery. However to be cautious, I would love to put a fuse in series between the big warn cable and the battery. Does anyone know what the current draw is on the 10S (the Warn spec sheet does not state this).

TerryC6 · Mar 19, 2017

About 465 amps.

TerryC6 · Mar 19, 2017

Unless you are running the winch at max capacity all the time the stock battery and alternator are fine, that is as long as you are running the engine also. Running off battery only will take the battery down fast. Hence why I went dual battery and I will upgrade the alternator when it goes out.

NoGaBiker · Mar 19, 2017

Don't forget that there's a much easier solution than dual batteries now. These cell-phone sized portable batteries are amazing. For $50-75 bucks you can get a charger that fits in you console or glove box or seatback pocket, will jump start a dead-as-crap battery (I've done it on my mom's car with a won't-even-light-up-the-instrument-panel dead battery), and holds its charge for half a year. They can be recharged in an hour every six months (to be safe -- they'll actually probably last a year) plugged in at home, or you can just plug them in to the ciggy lighter while driving to recharge.

If you drain your battery till it won't restart your Jeep, and you don't have a buddy with you, this will get you restarted in a jiffy.

The only time I could see this not working and needing another battery is if you are literally doing back-to-back-to-back pulls at a rate that the winch is draining the battery faster than your alternator can recharge the battery. Then you'd drain it, the motor would die and you'd have to jumpstart with this little guy, run the motor for a half-hour or something, before winching again.

But who does that?

I keep one of these in every car.

https://www.amazon.com/Digital-Treasures-ChargeIt-Portable-Starter/dp/B00NY3JIPS/ref=sr_1_26?s=wireless&ie=UTF8&qid=1489926992&sr=1-26&keywords=Portable+battery+jump+starter

chingon_ed · Mar 19, 2017

I just installed this winch with my original battery, a 2 year old jku with 6sp manual. Just spooling the line with no load was apparently enough to drain my battery. I left it idling, but did not plug in my AEV programmer to increase idle speed.

I didn't drive around much after and the next morning I needed a jump. Been fine since but I'm already eyeing an optima yellow top...

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

NoGaBiker · Mar 19, 2017

Really weird! I have original battery in my 2014 JK 6M, which will be 3 years old in May. Never had any trouble on numerous pulls with my original Smittybilt XRC 9.5Comp till it tore up, nor with its replacement Zeon 10S. I've never used the Procal to increase idle speed. I've even done test pulls up my steep driveway with the parking brake on and the engine turned off, running battery only, and no problemo.

I'll probably replace the battery this summer in an abundance of caution, but so far it's never given a bit of trouble.

ProgRockPaul · Mar 19, 2017

How many batteries ... all of them!

Dual batteries are better than one as they give you the capability of self-jumping yourself.

Your alternator is going to provide all the power it can - 140 to 160 amps which leaves a bunch left for the battery to supply. Depending on what wrap you're on the battery will have to supply 300 amps which is close to 4000 watts ... and that's a whole bunch of power.

Potentially if you're winching hard and continuous you can draw the battery empty. Dropping a lead-acid battery below 50% is a bad thing. Being stuck on an obstacle and with a dead battery is even worse.

Dual batteries under one hood or two is nice to have.

NotARubicon! · Mar 19, 2017

I have the Warn 10S in my 2012 JKU 6 Speed manual with a 2-year old OEM battery.. I always leave the engine idling when using and have never had a problem. I've even put a charger on the battery after getting home several times (I was worried it may have drained the battery after using it) and it's always been at a full charge (driving home from the trail was enough to charge it).
I've spooled it in/out without the engine running several times with no noticeable drain on the battery (ie; started fine).

JimmyW · Mar 25, 2017

https://www.amazon.c om/Weego-JS12-12000mAh-Starter-Batteries/dp/B00N9XVPAE

nycgags · Mar 25, 2017

I upgraded starter to:

Odyssey Batteries 34R-PC1500T Automotive/Light Truck and Van Battery

12 Volts
1500 PHCA
850 CCA
1250 HCA
1050 MCA
135 reserve capacity (minutes)

I am also running a National Luna Intelligent Solenoid hooked up to 2x FullRiver 224 Amp 6 volt golf batteries.

Battery Requirements for a 10k Winch (Warn Zeon 10s)?

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