What leisure battery do I need for electric winch?

[Mr MXT]

I've got a tilting trailer that I've recently bought for my mx5 (mk1 <900kg) race car, it came with an electric winch, but no battery.

Any ideas what spec battery I need to buy to power said winch? Its easier to winch on than drive on as there isnt a great deal of room. There's also the possibility it may end up being dragged on if I smash it up, if that makes any difference.

Thanks!

[MDMA .]

Any decent 12v deep cycle battery will do. 90/110ah one. Presume you’ll be removing after use to charge at home? Or are you going to run a split charge from your main vehicle battery?

[Mikey G]

Does the trailer have a battery tray or box already setup with the winch? If so maybe you need to measure up where it fits and take a little trip to a motorfactors or Halfords and measure up the physical size of the battery you can fit. I cant imagine it will need a large battery but do check what current draw the winch has and make sure the leisure battery is able to deliver that current a number of times. Also as said are you intending to charge it at home or split charge it from the towing electrics? As that can also determine the capacity you may need. If split charge you could get away with a smaller battery but charging at home you will need extra capacity if using it a number of times.

[finishing touch]

When the battery is getting old, but still working ok on the car I buy a new one for the car and use the old car one for the winch.

As the daily driver / tow car is an estate I strap the battery in the back and use jump leads from battery to winch.

It works for me.

[Mr MXT]

Thanks everyone. I was planning on charging at home or possibly solar while its in storage.

This helps, I'll aim for something over 85ah

[GAjon]

I use a 100AH liesure battery on my trailer.
Charge it up before a race weekend.
Gets used for winching the car, lights for the trailer (we sleep in it), charging mobiles and occasional led spotlight use .
Does a weekend then , recharge when I get home.

As long as you keep it charged up, once a month off season, or let it get below half charge it’ll serve for a long time.

[Mr MXT]

Thanks Jon. very interested in your sleeping in the trailer arrangement too if you can share details - that’s my plan for next season.

[GAjon]

Mr MXT said:

Thanks Jon. very interested in your sleeping in the trailer arrangement too if you can share details - that’s my plan for next season.

My son built the switch board with sockets, fuse protection and isolators.

Other arrangements are basic, a piece of carpet on the floor, blow up camp beds , on suite bucket etc.

I put a curtain up at the back doors, sleep with one trailer door down.