Battery failure is not uncommon. Any winch battery can fail due to many reasons. However, you owe it to yourself and your winch to ensure battery failure is a thing of the past. Not to mention a healthy winch battery can be a lifesaver for your vehicle in many ways. Let's look at some of the best winch batteries on the market.
What kind of battery should I use for a winch?
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Why Can't Traditional Car Batteries Be Used For Winching?
Firstly, a winch battery has to be very strong to support a winches functionality. You don't want your battery dying in the middle of winching. It will not only waste time, but it can also be potentially hazardous. Old and used car batteries tend to die, and they don't have much service life.
Additionally, to power your winch, you require a battery rated at 12-volts and rated over 55 amps. Winch batteries are also required to meet standards set by associations such as the PRBA and battery council. Additionally, different winches require different batteries. With winches, one size does not fit all.
Based on this, the battery that operates your winch works on a certain maximum load. This means that different winches have what we call different levels of cold cranking amps cca. In addition, winch batteries are specific in size, brand, durability, discharge time, and weight. Lastly, winch-specific batteries do not run out quickly.
Best Winch Batteries
1) XS Power Battery D3400 XS Series 12V
XS Power D3400 XS Series 12V 3,300 Amp AGM High Output Battery with M6 Terminal Bolt
- 12 Volt Battery With Ca: 1000, Ah: 65
- Absorbed Glass Mat (Electrolyte Is Suspended In Fiberglass)
- Spill Proof, Sealed, Valve Regulated And Vibration Resistant
- Ultra Low Internal Resistance, Mount In Almost Any Position
This XS power 12-volt battery is one of the most efficient batteries to have. Not only will this battery last you more than at least 10-years, but it is also very durable. Additionally, its valve-regulated design ensures it is spill-proof. Furthermore, this particular battery has an ultra-low internal resistance, and you can mount it in any position you prefer.
Using the highest energy density chemistry known in AGM batteries, XS power should be the battery of choice for your heavy-duty winch. Additionally, this is a sealed battery, so you do not need to vent it by periodically pouring distilled water into it. Lastly, it is an awesome battery for your vehicle.
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2) Odyssey Performance Series Battery 48-720
Odyssey Battery 48-720 Battery
- Item Package Height:6.85 Inches
- Item Package Length:10.9 Inches
- Item Package Width:7.47 Inches
- Product Type:Auto Battery
Designed to handle the increased use of onboard accessories in today's vehicles, the Odyssey performance series batteries combine long service life and high reliability. They also add deep cycle capabilities for efficiency and enough power. Additionally, the Odyssey Performance series batteries provide all the reliability of the Odyssey Extreme Series batteries.
However, this series of batteries comes without the high cold cranking ampere (CCA) or reserve capacity (RC). Nevertheless, you still get high-quality batteries since not everyone requires CCA or RC. Any Odyssey battery has a battery life of at least 10-years. Additionally, it has no problem starting.
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3) ODYSSEY PC680 Lead Acid Battery
Sale
ODYSSEY PC680 Battery, red top
- 170 CCA; Better warranty: Limited 2-year full replacement...
- Longer cycle life: 70 percentage longer cycle life compared to...
- Faster recharge: The highest recharge efficiency of any sealed...
- Vibration resistance- design protects against high impact shock...
- This item is not for sale in Catalina Island
Built to take the constant pounding that comes with most territories, whether that territory is on land, sea, or snow. The Odyssey battery can definitely handle it. Additionally, it is a large size battery with a non-spillable AGM design. This design protects against shock and unnecessary vibration.
This battery has a reliable start-up which is rare in some other batteries. Therefore, this battery is the perfect companion for a lot of outdoor explorations such as off-roading. Additionally, It has an absorbent glass mat (AGM) design. The design eliminates acid spills and promotes high conductivity and corrosion resistance.
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4) Red Top Optima Battery 8078-109 78
Optima Batteries 8078-109 78 RedTop Starting Battery
- 12-Volt, 800 Cold Cranking Amps, Size: 10" x 7 1/4" x 7 3/16"...
- Reserve capacity of 100 minutes for constant performance
- Optimal starting power even in bad weather
- Fifteen times more resistant to vibration for durability
- This item is not for sale in Catalina Island
Optima batteries are some of the best in the market. At the heart of every optima battery is a series of individual spiral-wound cells made of two pure lead plates. To work at its best, this battery requires temperature and humidity to be maintained and constantly monitored. Additionally, to ensure quality and consistency in the batteries, they are never re-labeled.
This battery is designed to deliver a powerful burst of ignition power for a reliable start-up every time. In addition, you can count on it to withstand hard launches and even extreme corners. It is also mountable in any position, which makes it the best winch battery with a high reserve capacity. Lastly, it is up to 15 times more resistant to vibration.
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5) ACDelco Gold 48AGM Battery
ACDelco Gold 48AGM 36 Month Warranty AGM BCI Group 48 Battery, Black
- High density negative paste, improves performance and increases...
- Enhanced life alloy or Silver Calcium stamped alloy increases...
- Calcium lead positive grid, maximizes conductivity and allows for...
- Robust envelope separator with puncture resistant back, allows...
- Vent cap design that resists acid leakage
This battery has high cycling capabilities and is remarkably charge-receptive. The Absorbed Glass Mat design is 100% leak and spill-proof. This is because the Electrolyte is permanently held in the glass mat separator instead of free-flowing within each cell. Oxygen recombination reduces water loss and reassures maintenance-free performance.
The battery has a longer life expectancy in traditional vehicle applications. This is due to a maintained pressure on the plates. Which significantly reduces the amount of active mass lost from the grid. With a 36-month free replacement warranty, you can easily send your battery back if it doesn't meet your standard.
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6) Odyssey 34-PC1500T Automotive and LTV Battery
Sale
Odyssey 34-PC1500T Automotive and LTV Battery
- Cold Crank Amp (CCA)- 850; Dimensions L x W x H (in): 10. 85x6....
- Better : Limited 3 and 4 year full replacement - not pro rata
- Longer service life: With 3-10 years of service life, ODYSSEY...
- Longer cycle life: 70 percentage longer cycle life compared to...
- Faster recharge: The highest recharge efficiency of any sealed...
This battery delivers massive starting power, rapid recovery and amazing deep cycling capability that any machinery demands. Its plates are made of pure virgin lead to support a range of activities. It also has AGM (absorbed glass mat) design that eliminates acid spills. Furthermore, it also promotes corrosion resistance and high conductivity.
Additionally, the battery has a 70 percent longer cycle life compared to conventional deep cycle batteries. It can also hold up to 400 cycles at 80 percentage depth of discharge. This means it can hold a high stable voltage for longer periods of time.
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7) Optima OPT8042-218 Batteries 8042-218 D75/25 YellowTop
Optima OPT8042-218 Batteries 8042-218 D75/25 YellowTop Dual Purpose Battery
- 12-Volt, 620 Cold Cranking Amps, Size: 9 5/16" x 6 13/16" x 7...
- Reserve capacity of 100 minutes for constant performance
- Optimal starting power even in bad weather
- Fifteen times more resistant to vibration for durability.Reserve...
- This item is not for sale in Catalina Island
This battery is perfect for heavy equipment such as winches. You can rely on this battery to provide ultimate starting and deep-cycle power. It also functions well as a forklift battery, tractor battery, or for other applications. This yellow top battery has up to 3x longer life. Additionally, this battery is efficient and completely maintenance-free.
The battery has at the least 15 more times the vibration resistance than other batteries. Furthermore, it is made to be spill-proof and therefore mountable in virtually any position, without the risk of leakage. Lastly, it is a dual-purpose battery, and therefore the unique manufacturing process of spiral winding continuous lead plates is more precision-controlled.
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8) XS Power D6500 XS Series
XS Power D6500 XS Series 12V 3,900 Amp AGM High Output Battery with M6 Terminal Bolt
- 12 Volt battery with CA: 1070, Ah: 75
- Absorbed Glass Mat (electrolyte is suspended in fiberglass)
- Spill proof, sealed, valve regulated and vibration resistant
- Ultra low internal resistance
- Mount in almost any position
With ultra-low internal resistance, this battery is valve-regulated and ultimately vibration resistant. Additionally, it is sealed and spill-proof, which means you can mount it in basically any position. This battery series has a wide selection ranging from 12-pound 12-Volt batteries to 14 Volt batteries for the street to 30-pound 16 Volt batteries.
There is something for everyone. Additionally, the battery life extends for long and you can rest assured that there will be no battery draining. This also includes the type of function you require it for.
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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.
How To Replace A Winch Battery
Let's face it, as long as you use your winch a lot; your battery gets depleted fast. Most people will even carry a spare battery so that they don't run out. Which is a great idea. However, when your main battery gives out, the only way to keep winching is to replace it. After purchasing a battery, here is how to replace it:
i) Switch Off Everything
This means switching off all electrical power usage. Now, this could be any gadget using power from the battery. You want to ensure that you aren't handling live current. That's a very bad idea seeing as it could result in electrocutions. After switching off everything, give it two or more minutes before proceeding.
ii) Disconnect All Terminals
Starting with the negative terminals, ensure all the wires are disconnected. You can then place the wires in a safe place. Move to the positive terminals next and remove all the wires. Set them away from the battery in a safe place. Disconnect both terminals to avoid any potential problems like shorts.
iii) Unhook The Battery
For this part, ensure you have eye protection on. Keep in mind batteries are highly acidic and very toxic. You don't want any spills into your eye or hands. Therefore, heavy-duty gloves should also be worn. Even if the battery is depleted, it still has some excess acid and toxins. Unhook the battery from the mounting hardware as carefully as you can
iv) Hook up The New Battery
For this, you might need the manual that comes with the battery when you purchase it. So you might want to refer to it. Then, following the instructions in the manual, insert the new battery carefully into its position. Ensure you get the polarity right; otherwise, you could cause a short, which might cause bigger problems.
v) Wiring
This step includes wiring the new battery. So, of course, you want to match the wires to their respective terminals. Ensure not to get the wiring wrong. When doing the wiring, it will be the opposite of unhooking the wires. You have to start with the positive terminal first, then the negative. This is vice versa when unhooking the battery.
vi) Test The Winch Battery
After ensuring that nothing went wrong, you can easily test the battery by hooking it up to a winch and starting it. This should tell you how powerful the battery is and if it works well or as indicated in the manual. If there is anything wrong, ensure to contact the customer service.
The Bottom Line
Shopping for a winch battery can be draining. No one knows that better than us. However, with our recommendations, you will settle on a good and high-performance battery. Your battery should have the ability to deliver the right amount of power to your winch. Choose the right specifications always.