How does a winch under load perform on the 4xe?

[LAM]

I don’t know anything about Genesis, but mine, with the hood open, ICE turns on, but there is a dash message that the 12v battery is not being charged. I don’t think the HV will charge the 12V with the hood open (and having ICE running is not doing anything either since that charges the HV).

I gotta admit I just went outside to check this message again and it didn’t come on.

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[Genesis Offroad]

Last two times using my winch, I got the check engine light, DTC, B21E3-00.

First time I wrote about it here - (https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/need-some-help-with-this-code-b21e3-00.157438/) I was able to reset the DTC, using my Jscan.

I have the Genesis system and this time I had the Jeep engine on and had it on eSave to prioritize the engine. I even popped a hood latch which forces the engine on.

We were just respooling a new winch line, using the Jeep weight itself, on the road in front of my house, very slight incline.

So it doesn't seem like it should be pulling that much voltage or that it would cause the DTC, but I wonder if I should have the Genesis Power Hub on "On" - which effectively connects both batteries together, as it seems I am pulling alot of voltage with the winch and the HV battery just doesn't like that and the HV can't keep up with supplying power to the 12V?

Thoughts and ideas? @Genesis Offroad @alphawolff @Tyler-98-W68

Just seems like I shouldn't be tripping the DTC with normal winch use. I assume it would happen if I was on the regular battery.

Just saw this today. Lots of good info in this thread already, but I'll just add that it's probably not anything to be concerned about. As your winch is running, it can drop the voltage on the battery, which triggers that dash light, just let the vehicle recharge it as it does, and then of course you can put a good quality battery charger on it when you get home to top it off and recondition it.

Also, we just talked about this topic in a recent podcast episode. Please watch this segment from that video for a few more thoughts on using a winch with our dual battery system -

 

[Slate]

@Slate, is your winch connected to the Genesis Power Hub? Is your IBS connected to the Genesis accessory battery? Do you have the Genesis Engine On Sensor Cable?

I had to go check to be sure, but the positive terminal is connected to one of the batteries and the negative to the other. The IBS is on the "other" battery. Yes, I do I have the Engine On Sensor Cable.

 

[Slate]

So I never drew more than 230amps..........and I didn't have issues, so my guess is that when using the winch, because you have 2 batteries, they are able to take more current than a single smaller battery, the DC-DC charger is trying to put out more than 230amps....and the check engine light goes on.

Way around this............not ideal but.

Have vehicle "off" ignition off while doing the pull for a bit, then put the ignition to acc or run for a bit to recharge the batteries, then turn the vehicle off again and rinse and repeat. That way you are not stressing/maxxing out the DC-DC charger

It will take me a while to get set up again to try the pull with the JSCAN, but that is certainly the best way to see what is going on.

You are right on the difference between what my winch is trying to draw and what the system is trying to compensate for.

I did recall that the light on the winch would dim for a second before it would be at full brightness.

I have a feeling that the tap-tap-tap on the controller wasn't doing it any favors, but I was trying to guide the winch rope on the drum as best I could. I don't think that is part of the normal usage.

I was wondering about doing as you said in terms of pulling while the vehicle is "off" and then putting it in ACC or Run mode to see if the HV battery would sense the low voltage of the 12V and take corrective action.

Then again, I am curious if linking the two, as is possible with the Genesis system would better absorb the amperage draw - BUT like you said the DTC isn't about low power on the battery but that the DC to DC converter doesn't like it and cannot keep it.

 

[Slate]

Just saw this today. Lots of good info in this thread already, but I'll just add that it's probably not anything to be concerned about. As your winch is running, it can drop the voltage on the battery, which triggers that dash light, just let the vehicle recharge it as it does, and then of course you can put a good quality battery charger on it when you get home to top it off and recondition it.

Also, we just talked about this topic in a recent podcast episode. Please watch this segment from that video for a few more thoughts on using a winch with our dual battery system -

Thanks guys that was very helpful.

I heard you say "..300 AMPs continuous and handle spikes up to 1000 for short durations..." which I think is a good data point.

I wasn't really paying attention when we were winching to see or hear if the system was snapping into Auto or On mode, but now I wish I had looked.

My son did say later that he noticed the G Screen flashing red, but by the time I got in the Jeep it was normal - except for the DTC.

This is a 4XE of course, so I don't have a normal alternator - but I am used to having the engine running for the alternator, which I think we figure out doesn't really do much for me.

I believe the smart alternator and the dc-to-dc convertor are the same thing, but either way don't get "power" from the engine but from the HV battery itself.

Just thinking about a best practice when winching as to not overly tax the dc-to-dc converter, which in my case, clearly doesn't like how I am currently winching.

 

[Slate]

I don’t know anything about Genesis, but mine, with the hood open, ICE turns on, but there is a dash message that the 12v battery is not being charged. I don’t think the HV will charge the 12V with the hood open (and having ICE running is not doing anything either since that charges the HV).

I gotta admit I just went outside to check this message again and it didn’t come on.

Yeah, I think I am just in the habit of having the engine running when winching, but for a 4XE that doesn't seem to matter or do much - assuming the HV battery is working fine.

Just seems like my problems are drawing more amperage than the dc-to-dc converter likes and it throws a code.

I really don't want to burn it out either!

 

[THAW]

Then again, I am curious if linking the two, as is possible with the Genesis system would better absorb the amperage draw - BUT like you said the DTC isn't about low power on the battery but that the DC to DC converter doesn't like it and cannot keep it.

In theory, the Genesis Engine On Sensor Cable should keep the two batteries connected as long as the fuse circuit you chose to tap is enabled (typically the seat heater fuse, when the ignition is set to "RUN").

 

[Slate]

Update:

I was able to use my winch again on Saturday. It was an easy pull, basically pulling my brothers (dead) Jeep up on his trailer using a snatch block.

Jeep didn't throw any codes. Once we got everything set up, I did one continuous pull - didn't tap-tap-tap the controller and everything worked out fine.

It was pretty cold out and the engine was on at first. It later shutdown during the pull, but again, didn't throw any codes - or more specifically it didn't generate a CEL.

I'll have to put my Jscan on it and see if anything pops.

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