12 volt adapter question - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

rddaves54 · 12-19-2008, 09:12 PM

I have a 12 volt electric winch that has the wire with positive and negative ends to connect to the battery. I want to cut those positive and negative clips off and put on an adapter that will plug into the lighter socket in the back of my Tahoe. Can that be done and would ant 12 volt adapter work?

Longhorn Man · 12-19-2008, 09:17 PM

I'm not real familiar with winch stuff... the the few i have seen, require way more amps than any cig lighter can provide.
Why don't you want to wire it like they want you to?

rddaves54 · 12-19-2008, 09:26 PM

The wire is only about eight feet and I need it to be around 17 feet to get up to the front of the truck and battery.

PanelDeland · 12-19-2008, 09:27 PM

Are you talking about wiring it to a trailer plug?You probably will pull too many amps there also.However you can probably get a wiring kit to run wires back to the rear to be able to use a connector to plug it in.Just check with the local 4X4 shop.

rddaves54 · 12-19-2008, 09:33 PM

I will check with local auto stores and see what they have available.
I have had this winch for a year and just got the steel plate on to be able to use it and discovered it would not reach the battery.

**kwmech** · 12-19-2008, 10:17 PM

You wire it like that and you will fry the harness. The safest way will be to have cable made that will reach the length of the vehicle with a connector on it that you can disconnect when not needed. I can make it up for you. What type of winch and pound rating is it?

piecesparts · 12-20-2008, 12:06 AM

I ran a wire along my frame from the battery to the back of the truck, and then Iwent to the local Farm Store and purchased some lock together plugs to get the winch connected to the truck.

Andy4639 · 12-20-2008, 06:09 AM

Depending on how big a winch it is you will need at least #4 wires for it. With the lenght of the cables I would go no smaller than a set of jumper cables.

rddaves54 · 12-20-2008, 11:28 AM

It is a Harbor Fright 2000 lbs and I was thinking of splicing the wires and making it longer with the same gauge wire. I do not need the winch only so often. I do not need to make a permanent wire. I just want to stop using the come-along when I have to tow. I have it so I can take it off when I am not using it so that makes it nice and keeps it clean and dry.

joekewl_chevyfreak · 12-20-2008, 12:25 PM

If it was my truck, i would just run the appropriate gauge wire to a kill switch in the dash then run it with a good fuse to the batt. and call it good

12-19-2008, 09:12 PM	#1
rddaves54 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Columbia SC Posts: 231	12 volt adapter question I have a 12 volt electric winch that has the wire with positive and negative ends to connect to the battery. I want to cut those positive and negative clips off and put on an adapter that will plug into the lighter socket in the back of my Tahoe. Can that be done and would ant 12 volt adapter work?

12-19-2008, 09:17 PM	#2
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Re: 12 volt adapter question I'm not real familiar with winch stuff... the the few i have seen, require way more amps than any cig lighter can provide. Why don't you want to wire it like they want you to?

12-19-2008, 09:26 PM	#3
rddaves54 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Columbia SC Posts: 231	Re: 12 volt adapter question The wire is only about eight feet and I need it to be around 17 feet to get up to the front of the truck and battery.

12-19-2008, 09:33 PM	#5
rddaves54 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Columbia SC Posts: 231	Re: 12 volt adapter question I will check with local auto stores and see what they have available. I have had this winch for a year and just got the steel plate on to be able to use it and discovered it would not reach the battery.

12-19-2008, 10:17 PM	#6
kwmech Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Colfax-California Posts: 8,504	Re: 12 volt adapter question You wire it like that and you will fry the harness. The safest way will be to have cable made that will reach the length of the vehicle with a connector on it that you can disconnect when not needed. I can make it up for you. What type of winch and pound rating is it?

12-19-2008, 09:27 PM	#4
PanelDeland I am a Referee of life. Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Greensboro N.C. Posts: 13,993	Re: 12 volt adapter question Are you talking about wiring it to a trailer plug?You probably will pull too many amps there also.However you can probably get a wiring kit to run wires back to the rear to be able to use a connector to plug it in.Just check with the local 4X4 shop. __________________ The 47-present Chevrolet and GMC Truck Message Board Network,it's owners,moderators,members,and associates of any type should not be held responsible for my opinion. You can't fix stupid,not even with duct tape. "My appearance is due to the fact that "GOD" does punish you for having too much fun!" Barrett-Jackson has perfected alchemy,they make rust into gold! "You can lead a horse to water but you can't saddle a duck" "Cleverly disguised as a 'Responsible Adult' "Sometimes your Knight in shining armor is just a retard in tinfoil"

12-20-2008, 12:06 AM	#7
piecesparts Parts and more parts Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Lebo, Kansas (middle of nowhere Posts: 6,821	Re: 12 volt adapter question I ran a wire along my frame from the battery to the back of the truck, and then Iwent to the local Farm Store and purchased some lock together plugs to get the winch connected to the truck.

12-20-2008, 06:09 AM	#8
Andy4639 Old member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Liberty, & Garden City S.C. , U.S. Posts: 19,936	Re: 12 volt adapter question Depending on how big a winch it is you will need at least #4 wires for it. With the lenght of the cables I would go no smaller than a set of jumper cables. __________________ 1971 LWB Custom, 6.0LS & 4L80E, Speedhut.com GPS speedometer & gauges with A/C. 20" Boss 338's Grey wheels 4 wheel disc brakes. My Driver Seeing the USA in a 71 Upstate SC GM Truck Club 2013,14 and 2016 Hot Rod Pour Tour http://upstategmtrucks.com/ Get out and drive the truck this summer and have some fun! It sucks not being able to hear! LWB trucks rule, if you don't think so measure your SWB! After talking to tech support at Air Lift I have found out that the kit I need is 60811. Per the measurements I gave them. Ride height of truck inside spring and inside diameter of springs.

12-20-2008, 11:28 AM	#9
rddaves54 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Columbia SC Posts: 231	Re: 12 volt adapter question It is a Harbor Fright 2000 lbs and I was thinking of splicing the wires and making it longer with the same gauge wire. I do not need the winch only so often. I do not need to make a permanent wire. I just want to stop using the come-along when I have to tow. I have it so I can take it off when I am not using it so that makes it nice and keeps it clean and dry.

12-20-2008, 12:25 PM	#10
joekewl_chevyfreak Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Polk County, Mo Posts: 112	Re: 12 volt adapter question If it was my truck, i would just run the appropriate gauge wire to a kill switch in the dash then run it with a good fuse to the batt. and call it good __________________ '68 chevy c10 1/2 ton inline 6, 250 2wd stock everything. exposed to elements for 40 years '87 Dodge D150, 318 auto stock; D.D. God meant for rubber to be burnt, not for an ear of corn Myspace



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