I recently came by a marine grade 24 volt winch (free) for pulling the jet ski up the ramps.
I know a 12 volt system is the norm, Question if i purchase 2 new batts to create the 24 volts for the winch, can i pull 12 volts of the post set up some how with out a S/W or other extras?

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"Come OOON Back............

Not sure what a "S/W or other extras" is, but there ARE ways to do it.

A simple way might be to buy a pair of small "U1" size batteries (usually for garden tractors etc, about $20-$30 each at Big Box). Hook 'em up in series for the winch. From time to time break them down and parallel them for charging. If you want an "automatic" system, check out http://www.yandina.com/troll24info.htm It's intended for trolling motors but should work for you.

NOW you know why that winch was FREE....

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Willie
She's a tired old barge but she's paid for! http://s71.photobucket.com/alb...p;current=ef324993.pbw

Edited: 03/16/2010 at 05:24:38 PM by stmbtwle

no i dont need to charge the batts I was wondering after you set up 2, 12 volt batts in series to get 24 volts period, with this set up can i tap into it a different way a pull 12 volts only.

,

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"Come OOON Back............

Yes you can connect 2-12v batteries in series to get 24 volts. At the same time you could pull 12v off ONE battery... but the one battery that is doing double duty will naturally have a heavier load and will discharge first.

The way I understand it: connect the neg pole of batt #2 to the pos pole of bat #1. the POS pole of bat #2 will have 24v back to ground (neg pole of bat #1) . In this configuration your alternator will recharge battery #1 but it will NOT recharge bat #2 (the "booster" battery). It can be done but you either have to reconfigure your system or install an automatic charge/discharge relay.

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Willie
She's a tired old barge but she's paid for! http://s71.photobucket.com/alb...p;current=ef324993.pbw

once again chargeing an hooking it in to alternator wont happend,....just need the hook up diagam, chargeing i can take care of. its good to know its doable.

s/w=switch......

thinking out loud wonder how if the 24 volt winch would operate on a short 30 second pull, on 12 volts once every week, not a heavy pull by any means.....

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"Come OOON Back............

When you try to operate your 24 volt winch on 12 volts you'll probably burn it up quickly, if it works at all. When you cut the voltage from 24 to 12 volts you'll double the current (amperage) that it draws and severely overheat it.
24v devices are designed that way so they use only one half of the current so they will only need wiring one half the size of a 12 v device.

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joetil
50x15 Burns-Craft in South Fla

You'll probably either burn it up as mentioned above or you may not get enough pull to do the job. However if it's FREE...

I think I'd try a single U1 battery (cheap) as a 12v "booster", with the main battery providing the other 12v. Only the winch would be seeing the 24v, everything else would be getting 12v. You'll still have to disconnect the booster occasionally to charge it.

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Willie
She's a tired old barge but she's paid for! http://s71.photobucket.com/alb...p;current=ef324993.pbw

that made me stop thinking out load thanks

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"Come OOON Back............

Two 12 volt batteries in series gives you 24 volts. At the junction of the two batteries you have 12 volts that you could use, if needed. This would be a good source if you needed only a small amount of 12 volts, like for operating a relay or other control function associated with the winch.

If you want to put a significant load on the 12 volts, such as cabin lighting, then you would be far better to have completely separate battery systems. Like Willie said, it would be fairly easy to throw together a small 24 volt battery system and a trickle charger.

If you were intent on using your cabin batteries for the 24 volt source you could rig up a relay system that would provide what you want. Normally the two cabin batteries would be in parallel, and nothing connected to the 24 volt line to winch. Flip a switch and relays disconnect both positive and negative of one battery and reconnects the battery in series. Now you have 24 volts going to the winch. While in this mode you cabin has only half the capacity so only leave it in this mode as long as necessary. When you are done, flip the switch back and the batteries return to parallel connection. In parallel connection they will "equalize" and both batteries will charge.

The relays you need to do this will NOT be cheap, however. What you will need are a pair of SPDT (single pole, double throw) relays that has current capacity that is at least as much as the current rating on the winch.

Rod

Your best bet would be to buy a cheap 12 volt winch, less then $100, and give the 24 volt to a friend.

Agree with George.

By the time you get the 24v system cobbled together with the "free" winch, extra batteries etc, you'll likely have spent more than $100.

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Willie
She's a tired old barge but she's paid for! http://s71.photobucket.com/alb...p;current=ef324993.pbw