I am thinking of purchasing a winch and mounting it to a 2x2 tongue and thus be able to use it by attaching it to the rear receiver on several different vehicles. Does anybody know of a quick connect for the very heavy welding cable I will have to run from the battery to the receiver hitch area on several vehicles? ANY suggestions on this entire procedure would be appreciated.
Tow truck drivers have quick connects for their battery jump cables. I think they cost about $100 per set plus wiring of course. A possible alternative may be connectors that are used by welders.
The connectors used for the wrecker plug-in jumper cables are Anderson Powerpole connectors, and they are used on lots of heavy power connections. Jumper cables and electric forklift battery leads being just two. They are all universal, there are about six different sizes from 40A to 350A, and there are also knock-offs that mate properly. As long as you pick the right amperage class for all the items, they'll all work.
I did some Googling, and some Thomas Catalog looking, but they didn't pop into the first few hits. So here's a vendor:
In other words, they'll work fine as long as you are the only one that ever messes with them, and you never have a brain fart in the process. (Hey, we all have bad days.) But loan the car to Uncle Fred and they could screw it up in several inventive ways, the least destructive being to hook the power up backwards and tighten the winch when they hit the 'OUT' button and break the cable. Or strip a gear, pop the shear pin, drop a Buick on their foot... -->--
My suggestion would be to use the same kind of connectors used with a snow plow. They are plenty heavy duty to handle the amperage, easily connected and disconnected (push together and pull apart) and they are "idiot proof". You would be unable to cross connect the wiring. Use dielectric compound (electrical grease) and you should be good to go IMHO.
Warn sells them for about $35 and the connecors forklifts use for their battiers will do too/are the same
Matt
Don't know the current rating but, Warn sales a quick disconnect designed for up to 9,500lb Warn winch.
Here is what you need.
These came with my Warn multi-mount winch. I have one set on the front and one set on the rear of my F-350 and the same on my son's Dodge pickup, thus greatly increasing the utility of my winch. I'm in the process of adding them to the front and rear of my Rubicon. I also purchased jumper cables from Warn that use these connectors. Very useful.
mdh
Seconded. Powerpole connectors are the way to go. Pick the size you need for your amperage, spend the money and just do it. I don't remember seeing the big ones at powerwerx, but I've purchased powerpoles online from at least one of the normal industrial supply places -- grainger, mcmaster-carr, mcm electronics, etc.
sdb
you are right on. go to a large welding house and they have quick disconnects for large cables. i have used some snd they are great. old john
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