Newbie Winch Wiring Question

I understand you want the least resistance possible when wiring the winch. Is there any reason to switch the positive connection to the area circled in yellow or is it exactly the same as where I currently have it wired? Please correct me if I’m wrong, but I’m thinking it doesn’t matter and I put it in the current spot so I can still use the red, rubber cover as seen in pic 2.

 

Your fine where it is.

Edit: Hope the fuse is close by?

 

What fuse? Just wired it direct to battery like shown in the instructions.

 

May need a second opinion?

 

I would certainly wire up a cut off switch
WARN 62132 Power Interrupt Kit

$96 WARN 62132 Power Interrupt Kit with Battery Lead, Hardware, Solenoid, Switch and Wiring

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000CQFVN8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apip_NUTsACotAjYOA

 

I winch does not need to be fused. That kit linked above is NOT a fuse. It's a disconnect using a solenoid. IMO, you should absolutely run a disconnect. Be it the one linked or a Blue Sea.

EDIT: Actually just get a Blue Sea rated to 600A intemittent. I have no idea what the rating on that WARN Solenoid included in that kit is. Nor do I care to look. lol

 

Have you ever replaced the main starter lead? There's no fuse. The wire is over sized for the load. Using an ECM as a fuse will end really, really badly for the ECM. lol

 

My Warn draws 460amps....a fuse would be impractical.

 

Modern electronics are more sophisticated than that. Now-a-days, you don't have to have mechanical protection.

 

Lol. This thread.

An interrupter kit is the "safest" option. Turn off the winch cable when you aren't using it so it doesn't potentially wear through the insulation and short out.

Most people don't run fuses on winch cables because it's a huge draw. It's going to be somewhere between 0 and 500 A depending on how hard of a pull you have. So what do you size the fuse to? 500 A? 600A to be safe? What's it going to draw when it shorts? Probably less than 500A which means your fuse isn't going to do anything.

IMO your best bet is to protect the cable, secure it well, carry a fire extinguisher, and get an interrupter to keep it turned off when you're not using it.

 

But not constantly. Just Start up, right?

 

Wrong. It's a constant pull that gets smaller as more line gets on the drum.

Only on main power leads, I guess? lol

 

Fuse is usually determined by multiplying 125% of full load. Motor fuses are usually Slow Blow. So they can hold without blowing through the high current spikes.

A "direct short" will generate current well above the fuse rating. A chafing wire "may" carry a load until it becomes a direct short.

I personally would go the fuse route just for convenience. A bare minimum there should be a means of disconnecting.

 

I have a disconnect switch wired between the battery and winch. Works great.

$70 WirthCo Battery Doctor 20247 Battery Disconnect Switch –Battery Disconnect Switch with Lock-Out Plate, Kill Switch for Cars, Autos, Boats, RVs, Water Resistant, Fixed Handle Isolator

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00UPCG9ZS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

That’s under load man.

 

There are little to no cases of issues with winches and no fuse or disconnect. Sure you can burn up your winch wiring but it's exceptionally rare. The Warn on my truck is 15 years old and I have another on my Jeep that is 10 years old and never ran a fuse or disconnect, no issues.

Sure a fuse or disconnect is a risk mitigation but the risk is already low.. We all transfer risk through insurance.

 

There is risk but it's very low risk. Risk is actually transferred to insurance companies, if your car burns down they cut a check. We as consumers aren't actually accepting any risk.

 

I agree that it's rare. Arkansas is a BIG Off-Road state. I have seen people burn them down.

Maybe I am a little OCD because of my electrical background. That doesn't make me wrong though.

 

Personally I dont think anyone is wrong, it's simply a risk factor for people to consider and mitigate, avoid, transfer or accept.

 

Right. Warn has a double solenoid system. If one fails the winch won't pull in or out. Most other manufactures rely on a single solenoid. If one of those fails it can be really bad. I run a 12K Engo. I ran a Blue Sea disconnect just to make sure it's powered off until I need it. It's just piece of mind and it still cost me way less then a Warn. lol