200 amp relay

[Digger]

Hey guys, I brought this to the Tech forum instead of continuing the conversation in my build thread.

I had mentioned using a 200amp continuous duty relay from McMaster. It use to cost $45, now is $58. I found the same relay on Amazon for $39, shipped two-day free if you're a Prime member.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000CEBXRS/ref=gno_cart_title_0?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

Turns out you can get it from Walmart too!
http://www.walmart.com/ip/PAC-PAC200-200A-Power-Relay/21550477

[Gunnibronco]

Thanks for the lead.

I ordered 2. One for my F250 & one for the Bronco.

[Gunnibronco]

Bumping back up an old thread.

I'm getting close to rewiring my truck and am thinking about preventing a major meltdown of the Bronco. My fear would be a shorted lead from the battery to the winch, burning down my truck. When I first installed my winch, I was surprised there weren't more people protecting the wiring. I'm planning to run a set of cables to the rear of the truck, so I can use my winch on my rear receiver, if necessary. That's a lot of wire, and a lot of potential for damaged wire causing problems.

Is this 200 amp relay adequate for a winch? The specs say it can handle 300 amp surges. At full pull my winch will draw 350 amps.

http://www.pac-audio.com/productDetails ... egoryID=31

I did find this 500 amp relay.

http://www.amazon.com/PAC-PAC-500-500-A ... =pac+relay

Or I was considering a 400 amp ANL fuse, instead of the relay.

[Digger]

My opinion is that the 200 amp relay is adequate for the winch. That's based on relative size of the wiring and the existing relays the winch uses.

I wouldn't fault you for a second if you chose to upgrade to the 500 amp version. Certainly it is not hurting anything.

I've thought through the 400 amp fuse scenario. The problem is 400 amps can melt a lot of metal. If you fuse low enough to protect the truck, the winch will blow the fuse and a fuse big enough for the winch will hurt the truck. It is best to just disconnect the power when you don't need it.

You're on the right path with the big relay. While you're at it, you can buy 2 and run dual batteries.

[Gunnibronco]

I've thought through the 400 amp fuse scenario. The problem is 400 amps can melt a lot of metal. If you fuse low enough to protect the truck, the winch will blow the fuse and a fuse big enough for the winch will hurt the truck. It is best to just disconnect the power when you don't need it.

You're on the right path with the big relay. While you're at it, you can buy 2 and run dual batteries.

Good point on the fuse vs relay. I've already got one of the 200 amp relays. I'll give it a shot, and see how it works. If it burns up, it would be fairly easy to temporarily bypass.

Dual batteries would be cool, but I'm struggling to find a place for my radiator overflow bottle & air cleaner under the hood.

[Viperwolf1]

Run the rear cables through a frame rail to protect them. Spiral wrap would protect them from sharp things inside the frame. http://www.cabletiesandmore.com/heavy-d ... l-wrap.php

[Gunnibronco]

Run the rear cables through a frame rail to protect them. Spiral wrap would protect them from sharp things inside the frame. http://www.cabletiesandmore.com/heavy-d ... l-wrap.php

Cool idea, I'll see if I can fish my wires through. I had sleeved my wires in large diameter heater hose where they penetrated the grill & core support, last time.