12k winch won't pull to max capacity

HF 12K synthetic winch can barely move a very modest sized rock. I had an original Toyota 2016 battery in the truck, suspected that this was going since she died on me a couple of times and 7 years seems to be a pretty solid life of a battery. Bought this battery - https://www.walmart.com/ip/EverStar...-24F/28275657?athbdg=L1102&from=searchResults

winch symptoms are similar to the original where it pulls and pulls and under heavy load all the lights on my dash will go very dim and then click and click. Revving up the engine doesn't seem to do anything. Could I be somehow hitting the 12k weight limit?!

 

I don’t have a ton of winching experience, but are you using heavy enough gauge wire, and only pulling for 15 seconds at a time? Then you should probably let the battery recharge a bit for 15-30 seconds before pulling again.

 

You won’t get full capacity if your fully spooled with rope either. The more wraps you have on, the harder the motor has to work

 

Yep, the full 12K pull strength is only when it is completely empty of rope and then starting to pull it back in. As soon as you get a full layer of rope on the spool, you'll lose pulling power due to the rope being compressed and the motor having to work harder.

 

Different application but I was using a HF 12k to pull bushes out. Had 4ga jumper cables connected to 0ga quick disconnect leads connected to the winch that was mounted on the rear bumper (yes it was ghetto but you try digging up shrubs in 100* heat with an axe and shovel). Had enough of a load that I was pulling my truck backwards while it was in D and 4lo and idling. Never once had an electrical issue with my truck while doing this. I suspect something else going on with yours.

 

I have dug up shrubs like that, in that heat and would have done just about anything to have that set up!!! Thank God I no longer do that kind of work.....

 

Winches need (not necessarily in order)

1. lot of AMPS coming from the battery - So you need a good battery and winch in spurts to let the battery charge up and let the winch motor cool down...
2. A nice working Alternator to replenish the battery amps accordingly (most Alt provide up to 130-200amps @2500rpm on our trucks. Alt amps obviously depends on the truck configuration)
3. Beefy wire gauge (at least 2 gauge) cables to deliver the Amps the winch is looking for
4. Make sure your vehicle battery connections are clean, and are in pristine condition AND are screwed on tight on the battery terminals as well - loose or dirty terminals are stealing Amps away that you could have delivered to your winch
5. Understand which spool line you are on the winch as well to get the max pull strength.
6. Ensure your vehicle grounding cables are in top order as well. Bad grounds are stealing Amps away that you could have delivered to your winch. Same thing as point 4.

All these have to work in good working order to get the expected winch pull you are looking for.

 

Nice job man!

 

HF = harbor fright? 12k should either pull your vehicle or the attachment. So if neither is moving…

 

2 words. Snatch Block

 

Now that I've read the post again.....
Sounds to me like you're alternator and wiring would be the culprit. Alternator isn't putting out the juice you need and the cables aren't up to the proper guage to transfer said juice.

 

Also rocks are heavy. Are you on the bottom winding of the drum?

 

lol i just realized the OP said he was moving Rocks.. lol man you realize that you can use rocks or tree stumps to move your vehicle.. Rock can be very heavy.. no wonder it may have not worked..

 

Yeah, somehow I'd like to see what a moderately sized rock is to the OP. I KNOW WHAT!! I'LL ASK HIM!!! HEY, OP, WHAT SIZE RO......oh....I should probably ask him directly. Hold please.

 

Hey buddy, any way you could show us a pic of said rock? And are there any updates?