Feb 11, 2022
Read and researched lots of winch stuff online that seems to suggest 2 or 3 awg is what to use (same as OEM warn or smittybilt winches). A Winch can draw up to and over 450amps for a 9k or heavier pull. I need 3 runs of 5’ wire for the relocation of a control box under hood (yellow/blue/green jacketed wires). I Was going to use 1/0 stranded copper service wire from Home Depot at $2.50/ft. Because it was faster to get and less expensive by a lot. It is rated for 150amps. I am concerned after reading online chats that the 1/0 won’t be able to handle the 450amps when needed. I guess I am Still not understanding how in the world a 2 or 3awg fine stranded copper wire OEM used for warn or smittybilt winches can be more appropriate for handling all that amperage need than a very large 1/0 stranded copper service wire. Just doesn’t seem to make sense giving how much more copper there is in a large stranded 1/0 wire and heavier insulated jacket versus fine threaded 2awg wire. Is this a case of a winch only needing to draw 450+ amps in a 1 minute or less heavy weight pull scenario, versus 1/0 continuously capable of handling 150amps? I would assume that a 1/0 wire would easily be capable of handling 450amps for a minute without overheating. If I am wrong, my bronco goes up in flames. Lol…a little drama, but it is feasible. Clearly I would spend the $150 for a winch relocation kit if needed. But is it needed? Will appreciate y’all’s insight to help me wrap my small brain around this. Thanks.
Last edited by a moderator:
Feb 11, 2022
