The mechanical efficiency of a car and the effectiveness of winches.

Having your own winch, whether it’s an electric or hydraulic winch, is valuable. It's important to know what to pay attention to in order to fully utilize their capabilities. This of course does not apply to manual winches, as they rely on human strength. As we know, these devices are used in many situations, mainly for pulling and lifting objects or vehicles. It doesn't matter whether the winch is for personal use or for work; what matters is that it satisfies our needs. A good winch should serve us well. It's quite significant that for proper and effective operation, the winch also requires mechanically sound parts in the vehicle. This mainly concerns the power of the battery, which is related to a functioning alternator and power cables. Hence, here are some important tips to consider.

**Battery Power**  

If you have a vehicle to which you connect an electric or hydraulic winch, you should pay attention to your battery and its durability. As it turns out, if the power required by the winch is too high relative to your battery, you will not be able to fully utilize the device's potential. Therefore, you should take into account CCA (Cold Cranking Amps) and RC (Reserve Capacity) ratings. CCA refers to the ability of the battery to start quickly in low temperatures. It evaluates the amount of current a battery can deliver for 30 seconds at -18°C without dropping below 7.5 V after 10 seconds of discharge. In short, CCA indicates how effective your battery will be in cold climate conditions, so higher power is more desirable. The RC rating pertains to the electrical system of the vehicle and signifies that the higher the RC rating, the longer the battery can power the winch before the voltage drops below usability.

**Alternator Efficiency**  

As we know, the alternator is responsible for charging the battery, which must operate independently and in all situations. Without a functioning alternator, the vehicle won't start, let alone an electric winch that depends on the engine and is limited by battery power. Therefore, if you notice a drop or loss of power or other symptoms, consider replacing the alternator, preferably with one that has a higher voltage. To check the operation of the alternator, simply measure the charging voltage at the battery terminals. The correct voltage should range from 12.8 to 14.8 V (for older cars).

**Power Cables for Optimal Winch Performance**  

Power cables are significant, and in this case, it is advisable to use welding cables. Remember to use the shortest cable run from the battery to the winch. Additionally, do not use the cable for the vehicle's frame or bumper. Why? Such an application increases resistance, which the battery then has to work against.

**Weight and Shock Absorbers**  

Contrary to what one might think, the weight of the winch is also important. This parameter is noticeable while driving and can impact the load on the shock absorbers. Such actions can lead to excessive wear of the component. Therefore, it's worth checking whether your shock absorbers are adequately resilient and suitable for the weight specifications of the winch. Alternatively, the selection can be adjusted according to the current state of the shock absorbers.

**Proper Intermittent Pulling**  

Properly pulling an object should not exceed 1-2 minutes if we want to care for the efficiency of both the battery and the winch. If we force extended operation by pulling, a high temperature begins to accumulate in the winch's motor. The heat generated should be dispersed; otherwise, it could cause engine damage, which decreases performance. Thus, it is important not to force continuous operation while pulling, but to replace it with intermittent operation. This also reduces the strain on the battery and maintains its charge.