Snow wheeling pics '24-'25

[srimes]

Yes, the winch on the side post of an Optima is a very bad idea. It is not designed for that type of amp load (as you found out).

Also, what’s the purpose of the switch on the ground circuit? If that is the only switch in the cicuit, it defeats the purpose of the switch, as there is still a live cable to the winch. More than that, if you disconnect the switch and engage the winch, it will find another ground path - which could be very bad.

Unless I’m missing something?

Cool Snow-Wheeling pics as always! Jelly, so Jelly.

Only thing you're missing is the other switch on the top post. Open them both and the battery is disconnected.

And yeah, I'd expect it to still run with 1 of the switches disconnected, but when the side post failed it went dead. After I got home I touched them together and was able to wind the line in, so I guess the winch isn't grounded directly to the frame.

It came with the top disconnect, and I wanted to maintain that feature and it seemed like a cleaner install to use the side post. Oops. I like having the disconnect, especially on cars that will sit for a while. Keeps the battery from going dead.

Speaking of batteries, I have no idea how old this one is. Other than it was on the jeep when I bought it 4 years ago...

 

[NashvilleTJ]

Only thing you're missing is the other switch on the top post. Open them both and the battery is disconnected.
View attachment 603261

And yeah, I'd expect it to still run with 1 of the switches disconnected, but when the side post failed it went dead. After I got home I touched them together and was able to wind the line in, so I guess the winch isn't grounded directly to the frame.

It came with the top disconnect, and I wanted to maintain that feature and it seemed like a cleaner install to use the side post. Oops. I like having the disconnect, especially on cars that will sit for a while. Keeps the battery from going dead.

Speaking of batteries, I have no idea how old this one is. Other than it was on the jeep when I bought it 4 years ago...

Still makes no sense to me. Is there also a disconnect on the positive side? A disconnect on the negative side of the battery does not serve a purpose that I can see.

 

[srimes]

Still makes no sense to me. Is there also a disconnect on the positive side? A disconnect on the negative side of the battery does not serve a purpose that I can see.

Disconnecting the ground is the standard way to disconnect the battery. No need to do the positive side too. Either one works, but it's a little safer to do the ground first as then you don't have to worry about making a short through the car body with a wrench while disconnecting the positive side.

 

[Rickyd]

Disconnecting the ground is the standard way to disconnect the battery. No need to do the positive side too. Either one works, but it's a little safer to do the ground first as then you don't have to worry about making a short through the car body with a wrench while disconnecting the positive side.

That only applies if you disconnect everything from the negative side.

 

[macleanflood]

This went live the other day...

-Mac

 

[sab]

Disconnecting the ground is the standard way to disconnect the battery. No need to do the positive side too. Either one works, but it's a little safer to do the ground first as then you don't have to worry about making a short through the car body with a wrench while disconnecting the positive side.

I'm with NashvilleTJ and rickyd. If the battery negative is still connected to the chassis/engine, and you've only disconnected the negative lead between the battery and the winch, in a crash, the positive lead to the winch is still hot, and since the frame and chassis are still connected to battery negative, any part of the chassis, engine, or frame that cuts through the insulation on the winch + cable will result in a direct short for the battery. The main reason to disconnect the winch when not in use is to prevent a short that can cause a fire.

 

[Wildman]

Sorry to hear about your winch issues but glad you already figured it out.. We've been getting snow up here too... Need to get the Jeep back together so I can go play in some of that white stuff. Looks like you had a GREAT time.

Here's right from Optima's website:

BATTERY INSTALLATION TIPS

• Ensure that the battery is properly secured in the vehicle or equipment to prevent movement and vibration. Do not over tighten the hold down bracket as this can damage the plastic case.
• Connect high amperage accessories such as a winch to the top terminals only. Do NOT use the side terminals.
• Replace any cables and connectors that have corrosion, rust, or other damage.
• Do not install batteries in a non-ventilated or sealed compartment.
• Do not lift or handle the batteries by the terminals.
• Do not over tighten terminal bolts, the following values are recommended: SAE automotive terminal: 6-8 nm. Side terminal (3/8" nut): 8 nm. Threaded stud terminal: 14-20 nm.

Now interestingly when I was hooking up my winch to the Odessey battery I'm running I'd reached out to them asking if they had the same policy about not using their side terminals. And they said while they don't have anything in writing and that their side terminals are able to handle the load of a winch they recommended to use the top posts.

So if you're going to replace that Optima an Odessey is an option.

 

[srimes]

I'm with NashvilleTJ and rickyd. If the battery negative is still connected to the chassis/engine, and you've only disconnected the negative lead between the battery and the winch, in a crash, the positive lead to the winch is still hot, and since the frame and chassis are still connected to battery negative, any part of the chassis, engine, or frame that cuts through the insulation on the winch + cable will result in a direct short for the battery. The main reason to disconnect the winch when not in use is to prevent a short that can cause a fire.

Those switches are ground disconnect switches. Typically you only have one, and it disconnects the battery negative from the car's ground. I added a 2nd switch when I added the winch, knowing that I'd use both switches at the same time, either connected or disconnected. It wasn't to isolate just the winch.

And if the winch was still connected to ground when the lug failed, why did it stop working?

 

[srimes]

Got in one last snow run for this season, and it was fantastic! Warm and sunny Memorial Day weekend, so I took the top and doors off and went naked.

Mt. McLoughlin

Fir tree flowers

The snow was as expected this time of year. Heavy and sloppy.

This snow acts a lot like clay mud. Did better with the speed up and some wheel spin.

Mt. Shasta

 

[NashvilleTJ]

Got in one last snow run for this season, and it was fantastic! Warm and sunny Memorial Day weekend, so I took the top and doors off and went naked.

View attachment 619420

Mt. McLoughlin

View attachment 619421


Fir tree flowers
View attachment 619422

The snow was as expected this time of year. Heavy and sloppy.

This snow acts a lot like clay mud. Did better with the speed up and some wheel spin.

Mt. Shasta
View attachment 619423

Oh yeah - I’m all about wheel spin!

Schweet!

 

[srimes]

We took our time heading back down and just enjoyed the day. Stopped at a seasonal creek and thought I'd try panning for gold. Never done it before but I had a new pan and gave it a shake like I've seen on youtube. Got down to black sand and saw shiny bits of yellow!

I don't know what I'm doing so it probably isn't gold, but it sure looked like it to this fool!

Trillium was blooming

And whatever these are

Went up to corp camp and hung out and ate. Buddy set his phone on my fender and forgot about it untie we were a few miles away...

this video is all about the audio

While we were back at corp camp looking for the phoooone a shuttle dropped of a load of mountain bikers. Camera caught them admiring the TSLs

All in all a fantastic day!