Winch/battery questions

I don't carry it everywhere I go because it's heavy but I have a set of chains that are designed to turn my hi-lift jack into a winch. Like everything to do with a hi-lift jack it is not for the unwary as a hi-lift is always wanting to kill you in a painful kind of way. But it does work.

Thanks everybody for the info... much appreciated! 

Plenty to consider before making a choice then.

synthetic rope with hawse was going to be my choice as it's a lot more user friendly for sure... plus less added weight. 

My custom steel bumper probably was designed to accept a bigger winch, it's a hell of a plate on it so I assume it's not for a 3000 lb'er.

glad I'm not the only one who noticed winches seem to be grossly over or undersized for jimny application.

but I'd rather be overpowered than underpowered... I suppose your only using it when 'in dire straits' so it needs enough guts to get you out.

only ever been stuck in a suzuki once so I certainly won't be winning every time I'm out, it's literally just an extra insurance. 

I already have a nice big holdall full of tree slings/straps, kinetic rope, heavy d and loop shackles and a good quality snatch block ready for the job so that sides covered. 

Just missing the winch...

is line speed a huge factor to consider? 
I know there are many variations out there but as mentioned, it's not a challenge/trial situation so to me, as long as it can do the job and get me out, speed isn't the first priority tbh. Granted, nobody wants a foot a minute line speed but it's better than 'still stuck' I guess? 

 

I also have a heavy Tirfor hand winch with a large steel cable with it in the garage which ideally can sit in the back of the truck with other gear too. It's a bit bulky and heavy but again, in the event of needing recovery backwards at the moment it will do the job although a bit of a pain. 

Read a lot of stuff online about people fitting isolator switches into the system?! Something to do with keeping enough battery left to start the truck again... 
apologies for being dull (I don't do electrics at all- led lights or stereos are my limit) 

can somebody please explain, ideally in laments terms how/why/where isolator switch is fitted? 

thanks very much.
Tom

Power to the winch should come directly from the positive on the battery and it is here that the isolator switch is fitted. It is switched off until needed. Reasons for it are:- in the event of an accident, as the power line is dead, there is no chance the lead can ignite spilt fuel. Also your neighbourhood low life cant spool out cable over the roof, connect to tow bracket or similar, plug in their wonder-lead and cut your car in half.

The sort of winch I suggested is available from Machine-Mart and probably weighs about 10 lbs.

Roger