Let's Talk Winches

[Lost1wing]

Moisture wicks into cables, and the finer the braid - the more smaller strands, the more it wicks. It will follow the copper clear up into the insulation.
Force an oxidation preventing substance like a no-ox product, dielectric grease, etc. into the wire end where it enters insulation. It'll help some.

The two long cables that came with my Badland were too long for my hook-up to the battery and were not used. It was the cable that ran from the relay box to the motor that failed. I tried to use those cables to replace the corroded ones but were also corroded. They were stored in my shop not out in the weather. I believe these cables were made in a harsh environment and never had a chance. However, it didn't cost much to replace the three cables.

There was a YouTube video a few years ago of a man doing a review of the Badlands 12k ( other style not the Apex). He took the planetary gears out and deburred all of the gears a housing edges. He explained how difficult it was to operate the engage release handle. When I saw the poor workmanship of the gear set, I decided against buying another Badland and got the Warn. Now I never disassembled the Warn to see the quality, so it is hard to make a fair comparison.

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[ShadowsPapa]

The two long cables that came with my Badland were too long for my hook-up to the battery and were not used. It was the cable that ran from the relay box to the motor that failed. I tried to use those cables to replace the corroded ones but were also corroded. They were stored in my shop not out in the weather. I believe these cables were made in a harsh environment and never had a chance. However, it didn't cost much to replace the three cables.

There was a YouTube video a few years ago of a man doing a review of the Badlands 12k ( other style not the Apex). He took the planetary gears out and deburred all of the gears a housing edges. He explained how difficult it was to operate the engage release handle. When I saw the poor workmanship of the gear set, I decided against buying another Badland and got the Warn. Now I never disassembled the Warn to see the quality, so it is hard to make a fair comparison.

There's a YT video of a guy who opened up his Badlands Apex winch showing the insides (he twisted the winch plate which stressed the winch and cracked the top housing) - it was actually good inside. They are obviously trying to "rebrand" themselves.
I had mine partially apart to re-route the power wire when I installed it on my '22. It had been on my 2020 for a couple of years and noted no corrosion with any wires.
Maybe they had problems like you had and made some changes????
Mine works really smoothly. No problems both times I used it (once in the cold of winter)

Maybe you'll never have reason to open up the Warn - leaving us assuming it's fine.