as im thinking about getting a winch, i want to do things properly (a first for me!!!!) so would it be advisable to get a second battery and split charge system to run the winch off?? and if so where would i get one from?

many thanks

Hi Ed, if you are winching, winching then winching some more I would say a second battery and a split charge was needed. I do believe in KISS. One good battery, one good alternator and one good winch has worked for me. I expect there are those out there who disaggree with me but hey! Why not give it a go, if you find you need a split charge system then go for it. You're not planning going in for winch challenges are you?

Cheers

good battery and alt should be goodenough for winching i have two batterys and alts but the winch pulls off the main starter battery the aux batt is only for my radios and lights the only thing you might what to change is the reg pack in the alt for a higher amp depending on what one you have as 55amp that is quite often fitted to discos would struggle but the 75 amp one cope well

There are basically three ways to do dual batteries.

1) Two identical batteries, wired in parallel (+ to + and - to -) Can cause batteries to self-drain quicker, and lead to imbalanced charging, shorter battery life and all kinds of problems. and generally not recommended.

2) Something like the x-eng relay, or the albright single contactor, switched by the alternator. Stops problems as above, but no control over which battery is charged so can take awhile to re-charge if both batteries get low. Typically about £30 for the relay.

3) More sophisticated systems control charging (so the starter battery gets charged first if it needs it). Anything from £150 up to over £300.

TBH I'd go with Paul's KISS recommendation unless you find you're using it hard or want to get into challenge style events.

another way fit two alternator one to charge each battery

A split battery system (NOT a split charge system), can be acheived with a standard 40 amp relay. Will find the wiring for it later. Alternatively, I can get hold of marine split charge systems for twin batgteries (fully watertight) for less money than most of the land based split charge systems.