[antiquecar]

I have a 99 Ford F150 which pulls a small car trailer for my Model T and other early cars. I just installed a winch on the trailer and want to power it off the truck. I have a 7 wire plug which is a factory instalation and would like to power it through the unit. The wiring diagram show a hot pin but I can't figure how to make it hot and will it support a winch or should I just run a new twelve gage wire from the battery back.
Thanks
Jan

[Fast Orange]

I think you had better check the amp draw for your winch-
Even the smallest winch I've put on a trailer called for at least 40 amps,which will be too much for both your 7 pin plug or #12 wire.When I wired the 40 amp winch,I used a pair of 20 amp circuit breakers wired in paralell,a set of 50 amp golf cart battery plugs and #8 fine strand wire.This was for a 1500 lb. boat trailer winch.I would imagine your car trailer winch is a higher capacity.
If you post the amp draw for your winch,we can tell you what you need to hook it up right.

George

[Canzus]

Right on George, 12 gage wire ain't gonna have the capacity
to run a winch. I'd suggest having a deep cycle battery for
the winch, on the trailer... You could then charge it with a
12 gage wire without frying your trucks electrical system...

[antiquecar]

I like both of your suggestions. I pulled the manual that came with the winch and wouldn't you know it it says to call the technical help line for information on the load and draw. I have a twelve deep charge battery that is on the Model T and i might as well hook it up to the truck alternator. What is required to make the lead hot at the plug?
Thanks
jan

[docvette]

Doc here,

That winch is going to require about , at least a set of #4 or better cables to operate it safely. I'd go 1/0 or 00 in a 30 foot run though..but that's me..

You'll be hard pressed to find a plug to handle that much current and wire size..

A couple of things you could do..Hook up a 12 volt optima Battery in the tool box to power the winch, AND buy a trickle charger and permanent mount it with external plug to keep the battery topped off...

OR go to a commercial Electrical supplier and get a 4 prong 440 volt, 600 amp Arc~tite male and female set of plugs..mount the female on the truck and wire it via fuse link directly to the truck battery using 00 gauge wire. Do the same for the trailer side of the winch and wire directly to the winch motor. These plugs resemble the plugs used on Semi trailer lighting hook up systems, which could also be used if you have access to them.

Doc