Winch Battery With Long Life For Efficient Winching

Buying Guide

When comparing different batteries for winching purposes, of course, there are some factors to go over first. So here are some factors we thoroughly went through to ensure you select the best and top-quality batteries you can find.

a) Spill Protection

Considering spill protection is very important, especially because the contents inside a battery are very poisonous. They are also usually carcinogenic. Additionally, we didn’t think there was anyone who would like toxic car acid all over the interior of their car. Therefore, when purchasing a battery, ensure it is spill-proof.

This will ensure your winch is well catered to for a long time to come. Furthermore, with a spill-proof battery, you will also get trouble-free and safe operation for the lifespan of the battery.

b) Cold Cranking Amps (CCA)

Cold-cranking amp is a rating that defines the ability of a battery to work in extremely cold temperatures. A battery should be big enough to adequately allow starting power in cold weather. Furthermore, a decent battery should be able to work well in such conditions. This is a very important factor to consider.

Simply because there is no weather or condition in which your vehicle will not get stuck. It can happen anywhere and anytime. Hooking your winch up to a working battery will get you out of a very sticky situation.

c) Battery Size

The size, weight, and dimensions of the battery you select, matters a great deal. Batteries are categorized in subsequent battery groups. Generally speaking, battery groups 31 and 48 are good battery sizes for any type of winch. Additionally, battery size translates into how long a battery will last. Therefore selecting the best one for your needs is important.

d) Battery Chemistry

There are two basic types of battery chemistry today. Absorbed Glass Mat and lead-acid. Both types have their advantages as well as disadvantages. On the one hand, Absorbed Glass Mat can generally withstand regular charging and draining compared to their counterparts. On the other hand, however, they are much more expensive than any lead-acid battery.

On the other hand, lead-acid batteries are usually less expensive than AGM’s. In addition, it is capable to withstand long-term inactivity with or without solvent, and it can also withstand slow, fast, or overcharging. However, lead-acid batteries also have a limited life span and maintenance requirements.

e) Battery Reserve Capacity

Reserve capacity is the number of minutes a fully charged battery can run and sustain a load before it needs to be recharged. A working battery, and especially one that runs for a long time without the voltage dropping, is very valuable. It will prove more valuable when you have to power up your winch to get out of the mud.

f) Ampere Hours

The ampere-hours are used to tell you how much power the battery can provide. For example, if you see such an expression “80AH @15HR” on the battery specifications, it means the battery can deliver 5.3 amperes (5.3 is gotten by dividing 80 by 15) for 15 hours. This will happen continuously and at a useable voltage.

g) Mounting Pattern

The best winch battery should support multiple mounting patterns. If it doesn’t, you might have a lot of problems with mounting the battery. In some instances, you might have to alter the mounting brackets so that the battery can fit into them. Furthermore, the whole purpose of battery mounting is to ensure it is secure in one place.

Altering the mounting brackets or plates will not guarantee the safety of your battery. However, secure it looks or feels.

h) The User Manual

Last but not least, always make it a point to read the user manual that comes with most 12-Volt batteries. Reading the manual will tell you everything you need to know about the battery you have. Additionally, you will also learn about the care and the maintenance tips that will keep your battery running for the expected life span.

That aside, user manuals help you to familiarize yourself with the functionality of the battery, like what your battery can and cannot do. This is important so that you know the type of winch that your battery is willing to accommodate. You can then get a winch based on this information or other machinery.