where are you powering the winch?

[Harold0819]

Here you go. $30 in parts. You will need:
1 - generic Ford starter relay
2 - battery cable lugs (connects to the two large terminals on the relay)
Heat shrink tubing (seals and insulates the large relay connections)
14ga wire (length from Aux 3/4 wire next to the battery or to dash if separate switch) blue in diagram

Remove the negative battery connection, then the positive at the battery.

Mount the relay as close to the battery as possible (note which of the large terminals is for battery and which is for starter (winch)). Measure the length of cable require to reach from the large battery terminal on the relay to the battery. Ensure you consider safe routing and protection of this cable as it will be hot all the time. Cut this length from the red (positive) cable that runs from the winch to the positive battery terminal, measuring from the battery connection terminal end. Slide a 1 1/2” piece of heat shrink tubing over the cut end, properly attach one of the two lugs to the end and shrink the tubing to protect and insulate the lug connection (ensure the tubing does not cover the hole in the lug). Attach the lug to the large battery stud on the relay and then to the battery positive terminal (use the positive battery terminal mounting method provided with your winch).

Measure the remaining positive cable from the winch to the other large terminal on the relay, ensuring you route it safely through the engine compartment, avoiding sharp edges and objects and insulating, protecting the cable as required (this cable will only be hot when the Aux or separate switch is activated). Attach the other lug with heat shrink as described above and firmly connect it to the relay.

If you have the Aux switches, use either 3 or 4, the lug/heat shrink kit in the glove box and a length of 14ga wire to connect the small “S” terminal on the relay to the orange/pink (Aux 3) or dark blue/pink (Aux 4) wire next to the battery. If you don’t have Aux switches, you will need to mount a 15a minimum switch in the cabin with a fused B+ on one side and the small relay terminal on the other (if you use a lighted switch which I recommend so you know when it is on, run the third switch terminal to ground).

Attach the negative winch cable to the battery negative cable terminal and reattach the negative terminal.

See the rough schematic below. You are done, so enjoy!

Exactly the way my Warn interrupter is wired. Your method is definitely cheaper. I will add. The Warn switch includes all necessary terminals, wire, etc to install it. But either way it comes to choice. The Warn kit is twice the price of what you list in parts.

Sponsored

 

[Alabama Mud Machine]

Where am I powering my winch? Off the battery...

More specifically, off the extra unused terminals that are built into the battery cable terminals, provided from the factory to attach accessories.​

 

[Harold0819]

Where am I powering my winch? Off the battery...

More specifically, off the extra unused terminals that are built into the battery cable terminals, provided from the factory to attach accessories.​

Correct, Here is a pic. Mine has a dual battery kit so they are exact but you get the idea

 

[Factoid]

Exactly the way my Warn interrupter is wired. Your method is definitely cheaper. I will add. The Warn switch includes all necessary terminals, wire, etc to install it. But either way it comes to choice. The Warn kit is twice the price of what you list in parts.

You can probably tell I’m going a bit stir crazy cooped up in the house. I spent way too much time writing this up!

 

[4S50]

Here is a pic of how I mounted my Warn solenoid with a piece of aluminum angle.

 

[Harold0819]

You can probably tell I’m going a bit stir crazy cooped up in the house. I spent way too much time writing this up!

Understood and Agreed. I would not say you spent to much time writing it up. I'm sure that there are many who are not sure how to add a switch like that and will read it and be thankful someone did write it down.

 

[Harold0819]

Here is a pic of how I mounted my Warn solenoid with a piece of aluminum angle.

Looks great.

 

[361Sean]

Thanks again guys. I appreciate the effort in explaining things. winch will be here Thursday and I'll see what's in the box. I like the solenoid idea. I have the aux switches.

 

[361Sean]

One more question. I bought a winch and have it installed. It didnt come with a fuse. Any thoughts on installing a fuse?

 

[Harold0819]

Trying to think, don't think my Warn has a fuse. It may have internal safeties if it gets to hot or to much draw. I have to check it out

 

[361Sean]

Trying to think, don't think my Warn has a fuse. It may have internal safeties if it gets to hot or to much draw. I have to check it out

Tyea I'm pretty sure most if not all hase something in the control box. my thoughts are if I should put one before the control box to protect it.

Thanks for the reply.

 

[4S50]

I have never put a fuse in any of the winches I have installed over the years (8 vehicles mine and friend’s) and it has never been an issue. That being said, a fuse has always seemed like a good idea. I have heard anecdotally of a winch that turned on while the vehicle was driving down the road and it “ate itself”, but I have not personally seen it and the disconnect solenoid will prevent that.

 

[361Sean]

Ok, thanks again guys

 

[@californiajeeping]

Cheapest way is to get a wing nut on the extra stud on the battery. Disconnect the winch for daily use when you need it connect the power lead. This is how my scrambler is set up. I have a wired winch control thingy so it takes....3 more seconds to connect the winch power lead.

 

[ACAD_Cowboy]

I have an anderson connector on mine. I began life as a hitch winch so it needed to be mobile. Despite a hard mount i still have the anderson for when i need to do work that requires demounting the winch.

Sponsored