POWERWINCH 712 User manual

OWNER’S MANUAL
Models 712, 712-S & 912
12 Volt Powered Winch
Power-in / Freewheel-out Operation
Thoroughly read manual furnished with this product and be
familiar with controls. Do not allow individuals to operate winch
without understanding safe operation and procedures for
equipment.
P7033603r7 Printed in the USA July, 2023
P7040104r6Printed in USA May, 2022
OWNER'SMANUAL
Model 915
BOAT TRAILER WINCH
pw915101
Setup with double line pull (pulley block)
12 Volt Powered Winch
Power-In / Power-Out Operation
Hand Held Wired Remote Control
Thoroughly read the manual furnished with this product and be
familiar with the controls. Do not allow individuals to operate
the winch without understanding the safe operation and
procedures for the equipment.
pw912101
Setup with double line pull (pulley block)
P77712 & P77912 Only
These instructions apply to all models listed.


The Powerwinch Trailer Winch is a product of Scott Fetzer Electrical Group or SFEG, located in
Fairview, Tennessee, USA. The information contained or disclosed in this document is considered
proprietary to SFEG. Every effort has been made to ensure that the information presented in
this document is accurate and complete. However, SFEG assumes no liability for errors or any
damages resulting from the use of this document.
PROPRIETARY STATEMENT


reserves the right to cancel, change, alter or add any parts and assemblies, described in this
manual, without prior notice.
SFEG agrees to allow the reproduction of this document for use with SFEG products only. Any
other reproduction or translation of this document in whole or part is strictly prohibited without
prior written approval from SFEG.
Powerwinch
by SFEG
2268 Fairview Blvd Fairview, TN 37062
1.800.793.4793 | www.powerwinch.com
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SAFETY INFORMATION......................................................................................
SPECIFICATIONS..................................................................................................
INSTALLATION.......................................................................................................
WIRING UNIT........................................................................................................................................
OPERATION............................................................................................................
MAINTENANCE......................................................................................................
ILLUSTRATED PARTS LIST..................................................................................
WARRANTY..........................................................................................................
WINCH SPECIFICATIONS...........................................................................................................
APPROXIMATE ROLLING LOAD CAPACITIES (VALUES ARE IN POUNDS).............
WINCH & BOAT CAPACITIES (VALUES ARE IN POUNDS).............................................
MOUNTING UNIT.............................................................................................................................
ASSEMBLY PULLEY BLOCK.........................................................................................................
DOUBLE LINING WINCH (P77712 & P77912 ONLY).......................................................
UNLOADING BOAT.........................................................................................................................
LOADING BOAT...............................................................................................................................
EMERGENCY HAND CRANK......................................................................................................
LUBRICATION...................................................................................................................................
REPLACING CABLE........................................................................................................................
TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE.......................................................................................................
iii
iv
iv
iv
iv
1
2
1
4
3
3
6
9
11
4
5
5
6
6
8
REPLACING STRAP........................................................................................................................ 7

The following Safety Precautions Must be followed at ALL Times. Failure to follow the
warnings and cautions in this manual could result in serious injury and/or property damage.
SAFETY INFORMATION
This product can expose you to chemicals including Di-isodecyl
phthalate (DIDP), Vinyl Chloride and Cumene, which are known
to the state of California to cause cancer or birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more
information visit www.P65warnings.ca.gov.
ALWAYS block vehicle wheels to help prevent vehicle from
moving when pulling a load with winch.
SHOCK HAZARD. ALWAYS unplug wire harness before attempting
to install, relocate, service or perform maintenance on winch.
NEVER use winch to lift or move people or animals.
NEVER use winch for overhead lifting.
NEVER attempt to pull a load greater than rated load of winch.
ALWAYS stand away from winch during operation. To avoid
personal injury and property damage, clear area around and
behind boat of people, animals and obstructions before loading or unloading boat.
Serious injury could occur if cable breaks.

operating winch. Loose clothing can become caught in moving
parts.
ALWAYS keep hands clear of cable spool (drum area).
ALWAYS wear leather gloves when handling cable. Steel
cable can cause serious damage to hands.
ALWAYS remove all tools used for manual override operation
before operating winch with electrical power.
NEVER use winch alone to secure boat to trailer during transit.
Use separate straps or equivalent to secure boat to trailer.
ALWAYS stand away from winch during operation. ALWAYS
stand clear of area behind and between load and winch.
Serious injury could occur if cable breaks.
iii


on the weight of the load, condition of the trailer rollers, and the degree of the loading ramp incline. The
charts below are based on a single line pull and provided as a guideline in calculating pulling capabilities.
SPECIFICATIONS
Cable fasteners on this or any winch are not designed to hold rated
loads independently. ALWAYS
cable on drum to achieve rated load values.
WINCH SPECIFICATIONS
Model Part Number Line Speed @ Capacity (FPM) Gear Ratio Voltage Circuit Breaker Unit Weight
712 P77712 14 225: 1 12 VDC 60 amps 33 lbs.
712-S P77712-S 14 225: 1 12 VDC 60 amps 23 lbs.
912 P77912 8 450: 1 12 VDC 60 amps 35 lbs.
% Incline Level 5% 10% 20% 30% 50% 70% 100%
Incline 0° 3° 6° 11° 17° 26° 35° 45°
712 24000 13340 10040 6800 5220 3720 3060 2580
912 40000 23345 17570 11900 9135 6510 5355 4515
APPROXIMATE ROLLING LOAD CAPACITIES (VALUES ARE IN POUNDS)
WINCH & BOAT CAPACITIES (VALUES ARE IN POUNDS)
Model Part Number
Vertical Lift
Capacity Double Line Pull
Approximate
Boat Weight*
Approximate
Boat Size*
712 P77712 2400 4300 7500 17-23 Feet
712-S P77712-S 2000 N/A 6250 17-23 Feet
912 P77912 4000 7500 11500 23-30 Feet
Boat size and weight is approximate and varies depending on boat type.
When calculating boat weight, use the fully loaded weight that includes boat, motor, fuel, water, gear etc.
*
• A 10% incline (6°) is 1 foot rise in 10 feet.
• To convert from pounds (lbs) to kilograms (kgs) divide by 2.2.
• Capacity can be increased by using a pulley block.
9 5/8"
8"
4 1/2"
8 3/4"
11 5/8"
Power In
Switch
lClutch Contro
Knob
Power
Socket
PW912001
iv

1
Powerwinch
712, 712-S, & 912 Trailer Winch
INSTALLATION
MOUNTING UNIT
The following instructions are for standard mounting of winch. Winch can be mounted on
trailer in same position and location as an existing hand winch.
1. Remove existing hand winch.
2. Position unit on trailer mount stand.
3. 
in fully loaded position on trailer. If bow eye is too high, extra pull is required of winch
and extra stress is exerted on boat’s stern and bow eye.
If necessary to create equal height, raise or lower winch stand. In most cases,
trailer manufacturers have adapters available for use with a winch.
4. 
when boat is in fully loaded position. If necessary, extend bow stop to obtain clearance.
5. 
mounting holes do not line up with winch, use the bottom of winch as a template and

6. 
as possible to base of winch. See illustration on page 3. Pulley block comes with
P77712 & P77912 only.

2
Powerwinch 712, 712-S, & 912 Trailer Winch
The following instructions are for permanently wiring the winch.
1. Attach circuit breaker to battery’s POSITIVE (+) post or positive (+) terminal of
starter solenoid.
2. Attach ground wire (black) to vehicle frame. Clean metal frame with a wire brush

furnished).
3. Route wire under vehicle and along the frame. Avoid sharp edges and moving

SHOCK HAZARD. ALWAYS disconnect battery before working on
electrical equipment.
ALWAYS use recommended wire size and rated circuit breakers.

hazard and void warranty.
NOTICE
NOTICE
When routing wiring, AVOID sources of heat.
When routing wiring, AVOID sharp edges that can cut or fray wire insulation.
60 amp
Circuit Breaker
12V Vehicle Battery
pwRC007
Red Wire
Black Wire
Secure Harness to Frame
Approximately Every 18”
WIRING UNIT
Attach Ground to
Vehicle Frame
Power Plug to Winch
Post of Vehicle Battery

3
Powerwinch
712, 712-S, & 912 Trailer Winch
Pulley block can increase the pulling capacity approximately 55%.
1. Place two screws through one tear drop plate
and hold in place.
2. Slide a bushing over each screw.
3. Slide pulley wheel and hook over bushings as

4. Wrap cable around pulley.
5. Place second tear drop plate over screws and
secure using washers and nuts provided.
6. Mount an eyebolt next to winch. Eyebolt
should be mounted as close to winch as
possible.
ASSEMBLING PULLEY BLOCK
1. With cable threaded through block, hook pulley block to eye on bow.
2. Power out cable and attach cable hook to eyebolt next to winch.
3. Power in cable.
DOUBLE LINING WINCH
Only included with P77712 and P77912
pw915014
PW912002
12” minimum
Level
Bow
Eye
Pulley Block
Eye Bolt
Nut & Washer (x2)
Hook
Pulley
Side Plate
Side Plate
Cable
Bushing (x2)
Screw (x2)

4
Powerwinch 712, 712-S, & 912 Trailer Winch
OPERATION
1. Attach hook to bow eye on boat.
2. Connect wire harness to winch. Plug goes into
socket on right side of winch.
3. Remove tie down straps from boat.
4. Slowly turn clutch knob counterclockwise to
release winch brake.
5. Allow boat to slide off trailer. If necessary, clutch
knob can be tightened to slow speed of boat.
6. When boat is in water, release hook.
7. 
8. While maintaining tension on cable/strap, press switch on winch. Roll cable/strap
up completely. DO NOT allow cable/strap to roll up loosely, damage to cable/strap
and winch components could occur.
To avoid personal injury and property damage, ALWAYS clear area
around and behind boat of people, animals and obstructions before
loading or unloading boat.
NEVER stand between load or anchor point and winch. Serious
personal injury could occur if cable breaks.
NOTICE
ALWAYS wear leather gloves when handling cable. Steel cable can
cause serious damage to hands.
DO NOT allow hook to roll into winch. Damage to level wind plate can
occur.
NEVER use winch alone to secure boat to trailer during transit. Use
separate straps or equivalent to secure boat to trailer.
UNLOADING BOAT
9. Secure hook to prevent any accidental injury or damage.
After using winch, ALWAYS disconnect power cord from socket to avoid
moisture collection in socket and prevent possibility of short circuiting.
DO NOT operate winch continuously for periods over 20 minutes to prevent

! CAUTION
Power In Switch
PW912003
Set
Release

1. Align boat and trailer.
2. Loosen clutch knob, turn counterclockwise and free-wheel cable/strap to boat. Attach hook to
bow eye.
NOTE:
with clutch fully released. This should free clutch allowing hook to pull out.
3. 
over tightening can cause damage to clutch.
4. Step clear of cable/strap and boat.
5. Press and hold switch. Power in cable/strap until boat touches bow stop. Release button.
Secure boat to trailer.
LOADING BOAT
5
Powerwinch
712, 712-S, & 912 Trailer Winch
An emergency hand crank is available when there is no power (i.e. a dead battery).
1. Disconnect wire harness from winch.
2. 
tight to set brake. DO NOT over tighten

damage to clutch.
3. Remove jam nut from shaft on right side of
winch.
4. Place emergency handle onto shaft and
secure to shaft with nut removed previously.
Tighten nut snugly against handle.
5. Turn crank handle to wind in cable.
Clockwise for 912, counterclockwise for 712
and 712-S.
6. After boat has been secured on trailer,
remove handle from shaft. Replace nut on
shaft.
7. Store handle.
EMERGENCY HAND CRANK
NEVER use hand crank to assist a running motor. Serious
personal injury can occur.
! CAUTION ALWAYS remove all tools used for manual override operation
before operating winch with electrical power.
PW912004
912
712
Jam Nut
Rotate Handle to
Retract Cable

MAINTENANCE
The following steps should be performed a minimum of once a year or when unit is placed in
storage.
LUBRICATION
Cable: Lubricate cable with Whitmore’s Wire Rope Spray, WD40 or equivalent. Spray shaft
and cable as cable is being wound. P77712 & P77912 only.
Gears: Remove covers and lubricate the gears with a lithium base grease. Be careful not to

6
Powerwinch 712, 712-S, & 912 Trailer Winch
ALWAYS use exact Powerwinch replacement cable (p/n
P7188800AJ). Winch rating and cable strength are matched for safe
and optimum performance. NEVER replace cable with unnapproved parts.
REPLACING CABLE
! CAUTION ALWAYS wear leather gloves when handling cable. Steel cable can
cause serious damage to hands.
1. Disconnect wire harness.
2. Loosen clutch knob, turn counterclockwise and
free-wheel cable completely out.
3. 
drum.
4. Slide collar away from cable then push old
cable out of drum shaft.
5. Insert new cable through shaft. Cable must be
inserted through side opposite counter bore.
6. Insert stop sleeve over end of cable until cable

onto cable.
7. Pull cable back through shaft until stop is
seated in counter bore of hole.
8. 
around cable.
9. 

over tightening can cause damage to clutch.
10. Reconnect wire harness to unit. Power-in cable, keeping tension on cable as it is winding.
Cable must wind from top of cable spool.
NEVER wound cable incorrectly, it may cause loss of power and risk damage
to level wind plate. If cable is not correct too loose or wound on one side,
unwind cable then rewind while keeping tension on cable.
Stranded Cable
Stop Sleeve
Crimp or Solder
Over End of Cable
Completed Installation
Counterbore
Drum Collar
Drum Flange
pwRC013