Cooling the winch

[metalspinner]

I have a can of compressed air from the office supply store.  I guess it's used to blow dust from around computer components and such.  When it is turned upside down, it comes out extremely cold.  What I'm wondering is can use this cold air to cool down the electrical components of the winch when it overheats.  Or maybe use it to keep it cool prior to overheating.  I am thinking a couple of squirts after each log is pulled up onto the trailer.  Will this damage the winch?  It's a real bummer having to wait around for the winch to cool down on its own. :-\

[Kcwoodbutcher]

It won't hurt the electrical components, and might do some good. If it comes out cold when it's turned upside down I doubt that its just compressed air . There is probably some propellant in it like propane of Freon 113. Neither one of these would hurt the electrical components either. Expanding air tends to cool, but it wouldn't make any difference if the can was upside down or not. Check the label, if there's propane in it be careful around those hot parts.

[rebocardo]

I would not do it.

Blowing extremely cold air on extremely hot metal results in fractures and breakage in components. Same as if you dunked it in water. Plus, I do not know how effective this would be in cooling the whole assembly vs. just the surface.

If you need extra cooling, then install a 12V muffin fan or something along that line to blow cool air across everything while it is operating and leave it on after the pull to get a gradual cool down.

[logwalker]

I agree that it is a bad Idea for the following reason: The thermal switch is attempting to protect the windings on the motor. By cooling the switch you are fooling it into feeding more amps into the hot windings. When they reach the right temp the insulation will fail and you will be looking for a new winch. Joe

[olyman]

most thermal switches ive seen are internal--so you cant blow or soak them with anything---ive got a gas pump i use to pump veg oil--if hot enough--it will shut down--but i just put cold rags around the outside---and in a mite--itll take off again---the thermal inside it is in far enough--then when the contacts close--all the windings are cooled off---

[metalspinner]

The thermal switch is attempting to protect the windings on the motor.

I guess that is the question I should have asked. :-[  I'm sure if this was a feasible idea one of you guy's would have come up with it earlier than me.

When they reach the right temp the insulation will fail and you will be looking for a new winch. Joe

That's not such a bad idea. :D

[thurlow]

When my wench gets hot, there's really nothing I can do to cool 'er down;  anything I do just makes it worse;  best to just back off and let 'er cool down naturally.   ;D

[theorm]

When my wench gets hot, there's really nothing I can do to cool 'er down;  anything I do just makes it worse;  best to just back off and let 'er cool down naturally.   ;D

I usually just give her a cold beer and let her rest for a while.   8)

[metalspinner]

 ... :D