Electrical advice concerning Jump pack usage and back feeding .

[ken erickson]

Friday I went down to my land to do some grapple work and mowing. I designed and built myself a seat lift due to my full time wheelchair use and paraplegia.

I jumped on the lift, it raised the full height , made my transfer to the operators seat. Glow plugs for 10 or so seconds, which seemed normal as far as dash indicator light. Went to start position, got about half second of engine rotation, then nothing. Barely a very slight buzzing noise which might have been the stop solenoid ?. No headlights, no turn single lights, no dash lights other than a faint emergency flasher indicator light. And of course no down feed on the 12 volt winch that lowers my seat lift. I was able to crawl off and into my chair.

Long story shorter, I replaced the 7 year old battery which was new when I purchased the tractor and marked 10/2019. I figured the battery suffered a shorted cell etc. and due to the age of the battery I just went ahead and replaced with a new one.

Replaced with new battery after cleaning cables ends and checking the over all condition of the wiring. All functions , lights etc including good starter speed and starting. All is good with new battery installed.

Now on to my question, I am considering a small jump pack that I can carry on my tractor to energize the seat lift winch in case I ever lose the tractors battery again.

I wired the winch with a heavy duty relay , fused.

If I use the jump pack directly on the winch motor , clamping directly to the contacts shown in my picture, considering I have a relay, do I risk back feeding any currant into the tractor wiring? I would only do this as an emergency method to lower my seat lift and would not disconnect the positive and negative feed from the relay if back feeding would not be an issue.

Incase anyone suggests just pulling the winches freewheeling clutch knob this is not an option as I need a powered controlled decent with my weight on the seat.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

You would be fine and it won't backfeed do to the relay.
I might suggest that you just do a cascade using a smaller battery that would be charged by the tractor, yet isolated for a the lift use only.
This way it's always working, no jump pack needed.

 

[ken erickson]

You would be fine and it won't backfeed do to the relay.
I might suggest that you just do a cascade using a smaller battery that would be charged by the tractor, yet isolated for a the lift use only.
This way it's always working, no jump pack needed.

I do like the thought of smaller battery for the winch ! Thank you for the suggestion

 

[jimh406]

I’d add a second battery, isolator, and Perko switch instead.

 

[ken erickson]

I’d add a second battery, isolator, and Perko switch instead.

I’d add a second battery, isolator, and Perko switch instead.

I will read up on both Perko switches and isolators and running a aux battery. I am sure I will revisit this thread after familiarizing myself with the theory and hardware. Thanks!

NIW mentioned cascading. Are we basically talking about wiring these two batteries in parallel , with or with the extra components such as Perko switch and a isolator? My main concern of course is to have a reliable source of power for my seat lift, without the possibility of doing damage to the tractor wiring, alternator etc. and to keep things as simple as they can be. Tall order I know!

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

I will read up on both Perko switches and isolators and running a aux battery. I am sure I will revisit this thread after familiarizing myself with the theory and hardware. Thanks!

NIW mentioned cascading. Are we basically talking about wiring these two batteries in parallel , with or with the extra components such as Perko switch and a isolator? My main concern of course is to have a reliable source of power for my seat lift, without the possibility of doing damage to the tractor wiring, alternator etc. and to keep things as simple as they can be. Tall order I know!

I would just use an isolator which will keep the second battery isolated from the tractor wiring and control, while still allowing it to be charged by the tractor.
You don't need a perko switch as the winch will always be powered by the second battery.

 

[ken erickson]

Thank you sir!

 

[hagrid]

I would add a flux capacitor.

 

[JasonW]

Another vote to add a small 2nd battery, such as a small ATV battery. Worst case you only need it to lower yourself off the tractor correct?


Also look into an Automatic charging relay with a second battery. Lots of information in the marine world. Basically with the engine running(alternator charging) it will connect both batteries to charge and when the engine off it will open to isolate the batteries from each other.
I have this setup in my boat with the house and starting battery.

 

[ken erickson]

I would add a flux capacitor.

Not sure if will help with the battery charging situation but willing to give it a try!!

 

[Spam Bot]

I have limited information about jump packs; however, I have one that I occasionally use on my old car. If the battery is stone-cold dead, the jump pack will not activate. It has a sensor that is designed to ensure the clamps are installed properly, negative to negative, positive to positive. Connect them backward, and the jump pack will not send power.

 

[Runs With Scissors]

Another vote to add a small 2nd battery, such as a small ATV battery. Worst case you only need it to lower yourself off the tractor correct?


Also look into an Automatic charging relay with a second battery. Lots of information in the marine world. Basically with the engine running(alternator charging) it will connect both batteries to charge and when the engine off it will open to isolate the batteries from each other.
I have this setup in my boat with the house and starting battery.

If we are voting, I vote for @JasonW idea.

Although I have no direct experience with a system like he mentions, If they are reliable, that would seem to be the perfect solution.

A "jump box" would be a "last resort" for me personally