I installed a winch and electric fan (Ford Taurus) a few months ago and everything has been great. Fan works like a champ. I have it setup where I can control it from LO-Off-HI. Now my truck dies after I drive it for a while. I probaly turn it on 1 or 2 times during the drive just to maintain temperature. I troubleshoot and found out it was something related to my battery. It was bad of course. So I had it replace at Autozone since I just purchased it within the last year. After that new battery, it went well for the 1st day and happened again. I droved it around city and came back home and turn off the car for 5 minutes and try starting it again. Nothing happens but a click. All the lights came on and everything seems to work. I use my portable battery to jump it and it started right up. My question is, Do I need a Deep Cycle Battery like the Yellow Optima, or do I have to go dual battery setup with GM alternator? I am planning on adding a couple off-road lights in the near future.

 

You can put all the extra batteries in there you want, but if the alternator isn't keeping up with the draw created, you'll eventually die. I'd have the alternator tested.

 

your issue is not your battery.. you have ether a bad ground / power wires or a bad Alt.. adding a winch or a electric fan is not enough to cause this issue.. you're not using your winch when driving.. and your fan is minimal draw on system.

 

Tyes,
Like the others have said, it sounds like you have a charging problem, not a battery problem and I am afraid a brand new battery would do the same thing. I suggest going to a auto parts store or garage and get both the battery and charging system checked. You could also have a parasitic drain. Here is a video we did that helps explain parasitic drain and how to check for it yourself.There is the possibility that your charging system just can not keep up with the added draw of the electric fan.
If you do buy an new battery and since you asked about Optima in your OP, with a winch you need a YellowTop. Those are dual purpose, deep-cycling batteries and will handle both the starting duties and winching drain.
Thanks,
Bill Howell
eCare Manager, OPTIMA Batteries, Inc.