Can Boat Winch be Wired with 10 Gauge Wire

Published 06/13/2019

Products Featured in This Question

Bulldog Winch Wiring Kit for ATV/UTV Winches - 48" Long Power Lead

(1)

$40.65

Question:

The first part of my question was letting you know that I have a 675cca battery on my trailer. I am using the 10 gauge wire from my truck to keep the battery thats mounted on my trailer fully charged. I am not using the battery from my truck to operate the winch. The 10 gauge wires from the winch go directly to the battery that is mounted less then 2 feet from the winch on the trailer.

asked by: Daniel D

Expert Reply:

10 gauge wire is not heavy enough to power a winch on a trailer. Your issue is going to be fixed by going to a much heavier gauge of wire. I bet if you felt the wire after the winch shuts off it would feel pretty warm.

We have a 48 inch winch wiring kit part # BDW20305 which has 6 gauge wire which would work well.

expert reply by: Jameson C

Daniel D.

6/13/2019

Jameson C.

6/13/2019

I see what you mean now. So while the battery is showing it has decent voltage you should still have it tested at a local car parts store as you need to test the amperage load as well. I've tested batteries before like you did and the voltage looked good but the car wouldn't start. Took it to a car parts store and they put a load on the battery and determined it was bad. Other possibility is that the winch is bad but it's way more likely that the battery is at fault. Test it and let me know what they find.