mikeinatlanta

If the pump is only used for the winch, why not use a clutch and use no gas, plus zero wear and tear when the winch isn't running? Keeping in mind that I would still need a pulley and the electric clutch already has one, I figure adding an electric clutch to a pulley system would add about $100 to total cost. Maybe one could get away without it, but I'd want one. My current hydraulic setup draws 2 amps for the solenoid used to switch hydraulics, so total draw with an electric clutch would be somewhere between 7-10 amps.

The more I think about it the more I'm liking this idea. Cost for a hydraulic system would run total around $250-$350 if you don't count my labor, plus save replacing a $1,500 winch. Going electric would cost about $1500 for a Ramsey RE series, second battery mounting, wiring, and as I understand some specialized setup to charge the second battery on the new electrical system. Overall I'll be into it about 2 grand.

I've had the same synthetic rope for 17 years. I'm probably due a new one.

Steve83

You'll have to add something to that guesstimate for fitting a clutch to the pump, and fitting the pump to the engine. You can't just buy a PS pump with an A/C-type clutch & the right pulley for your belt, or a clutch to fit a PS pump. And I can't even guess how much fabrication it will take to add another component to the FEAD belt. The longer belt won't be free, either. When I added a (factory-optional) 2nd alternator to my diesel, the belt was $52 - I assume yours will be similar, if not substantially more.

And you could recoup some of the cost of the electric (potentially a LOT of that cost) by selling the old winch yourself - don't trade it in with the truck. So if you're going to compare costs, compare them realistically.

But as I said before: clutching the PS pump isn't necessary. The wear on the idling pump is negligible - how often do you hear about someone replacing a worn-out PS pump? How many pumps have you gone through so far, using it for steering AND a winch? And the fuel burned to spin it with no load will cost LESS than buying & fitting the clutch, over the life of the truck.

Yes, 17 years is OOOOOOOOOLD for a synthetic rope. Especially if you've used it more than a dozen times. That's one reason I'm still using steel.

mikeinatlanta

I broke a steel cable twice, went to rope and will never go back. That fact that it has been used many hundreds of times over 17 years is testament to their durability.

Regarding the pump, I'm talking about running an independent V belt. An electric lawn mower clutch with integrated pulley would be about $100. The rest is fabbing up an adapter and a few mount plates. I wasn't even thinking this when I first posted, but in hindsight it will be way easier than doing the full setup for a second battery. Keep in mind that I have the ability to fabricate all of the parts. The only thing even halfway complicated would be the drive shaft for the clutch and that's just a bit of lathe time.

Steve83

The "full setup for a 2nd battery" cost me ~$30, plus the battery.


(phone app link)


(phone app link)

And again: you can fab the adapter plates and run the V-belt without a clutch. There will be no load on the pump, so it won't burn any extra gas. And the pump can handle spinning free for decades.

mikeinatlanta

And again: Even without load on the pump you are recirculating fluid, and that doesn't count the drag of a v-belt system. My current system gets pretty warm just sitting at idle. While adding a winch to the system will not increase drag, to say the system has no drag or will burn no gas is a serious overstatement of the facts. The OEs haven't spent so much $$ getting rid of the PS pump just for fun.

Steve83

I've studied & calculated the facts in college, and after. But I'm not going to try to stop you from overcomplicating your truck.

robmandeville143

I have the WARN M8000-S which is a perfect fit to my car. Great pulling capacity. Installed as instructions stated and pre-stretched the synthetic rope with no issues. Used this winch many times over the last 3 years. Never had a problem. It’s powerful and quick.