New Apex 12K Harbor Freight winch Install

[ShadowsPapa]

I've always been told that starter solenoids were a poor choice for circuits that are more continuous duty - is that still an issue when powering a winch?

Check the duty cycle of your winch. Mine doesn't have a really long duty cycle under full load.

I would love to see the details of the construction of solenoids being sold as winch solenoids compared to those used for starters.
Maybe different - or maybe the difference is an assumption based on internet lore without any real engineering studies?

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[Oneshotlucky]

Got mine installed!

What Bumper is that!? Looks awesome! Did it come with the skid plate? Were you able to re-use Factory Fogs? Cables?, are they rubbing up against the grill?

 

[blau iii]

The Badlands Apex came with a power kill switch. I installed mine just because it came with it. Not sure why they would recommend not using it. I mean technically you can just wire it up but why send it if you recommend not using it.

Kind of like when you buy a gun and they include those pointless locks…

 

[MPMB]

Kind of like when you buy a gun and they include those pointless locks…

They're not pointless. They add lovely color to a pegboard.

 

[blau iii]

They're not pointless. They add lovely color to a pegboard.

I usually take them to the plinking range..

 

[MPMB]

I usually take them to the plinking range..

They're super handy to lock double doors when the zombie apocalypse happens.

 

[blau iii]

They're super handy to lock double doors when the zombie apocalypse happens.

Why wait. We use them in the bedroom currently..

 

[blau iii]

I still like mine installed on the rr hd stubby bumper

How did this fit? Use any spacers? I’m about to install this bumper and a Superwinch 12k which is roughly the same size.

 

[eaglerugby04]

They're super handy to lock double doors when the zombie apocalypse happens.

Yep. Only ever used mine to lock family out of a cabinet before. Great for that. not sure whey they come with guns though, seems like a strange item to include a cabinet or double door lock with. lol

 

[OHJeeper]

Electrical install

1. With the 6 Ft. Inverter Cable Set connect wires (Red, Yellow, Black) to winch terminals using enclosure delete kit that comes with the Apex winch; run cables along passenger frame rail up to battery
2. Connect wires to winch control block
3. Tuck controller box between passenger fender and battery
4. Connect power wire to control block
5. Connect ground to the battery
6. Test wired/wireless controller on the free spool (hold controller wireless button for 3 seconds to turn on)

Ok, this may be a really dumb question: The wires that come with the control box relocation kit (3 black ones) look like they're about 3 feet long. I assume the 6ft HF wires (inverter kit) are used instead of those to get wiring for the control box/solenoid up into the battery area? If so, I would need to buy 2 of those kits from HF because they only come with 2 wires and the winch motor needs 3, right?

 

[WK2JT]

Ok, this may be a really dumb question: The wires that come with the control box relocation kit (3 black ones) look like they're about 3 feet long. I assume the 6ft HF wires (inverter kit) are used instead of those to get wiring for the control box/solenoid up into the battery area? If so, I would need to buy 2 of those kits from HF because they only come with 2 wires and the winch motor needs 3, right?

If I recall correctly, you just need one, because you can use the one long cable that came with the winch that goes to the battery. It’s been a minute since I installed mine.

 

[RufusMalloy]

Thanks to all those who contributed to this thread. Installed mine the other day. Still have to wire it up.

Used a Grimm winch plate, a bumper and a skid plate I bought from a forum member.

Everything went together pretty easy and no extra spacers necessary other than what came with winch plate. Winch clutch lever moves freely. I did have to purchase longer bolts for the fairlead, 2 inches long.

I also had to purchase two fog light brackets for my halogens as the bumper had no lights in it. These part numbers were 68231956AA Fog Lamp Bracket Right and 68231957AA Fog Lamp Bracket Left. These are from a jk I believe.

If I had to do it again I would have bought the 1/4 inch spacers to replace the ones that came in the winch plate kit. Just to give me a little more room.

 

[OHJeeper]

I did have to purchase longer bolts for the fairlead, 2 inches long.

Looks really good!

This might be buried in one of the 191 previous posts, but what size/pitch bolt did you use (i.e. M8x1.5)?

 

[RufusMalloy]

I cant remember. I just took the bolts that came with the winch plate to the local fastenal and got one that was two inches long.
This is the original posted picture about the longer bolt

 

[OHJeeper]

I cant remember. I just took the bolts that came with the winch plate to the local fastenal and got one that was two inches long.
This is the original posted picture about the longer bolt

Thanks!

M12x1.75... that's what I needed!

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