Winch mounting question

[Bird Dog]

So I'm gathering up what I'll need to install a factory steel bumper and winch to my 23 Rubi. In reading some of the posts by others I see some folks mount a battery disconnect while others just connect the solenoid to the Aux 3 switch. Not sure I understand the advantage of one over the other? Wouldn't the aux switch & solenoid be easier so that the hood would not need to be opened to operate the disconnect switch when the winch was needed? Thanks in advance for a layman reply.

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[Pilsner]

Disconnect is on the winch power line. Aux switch is only the control solenoid control. So power wire is still hot all the time. The disconnect helps if the solenoid locks on or with a short in the power wire.

 

[JeepOfTheseus]

Having one or the other addresses the overall safety issue. You could definitely debate the pros of a manual disconnect...my first Warn solenoid actually failed and wouldn't turn on, but I also think I accidentally shorted it during a reinstall. I replaced it with another Warn since I couldn't strictly prove it was faulty hardware.

It's personal preference which approach to take, and I'd argue even more so if you want both as a failsafe. There's plenty of guys that wheel way harder than I ever will and they will tell you solenoids work perfectly for them.

 

[ScottBeach]

Solenoid managing the power to the winch attached to aux. Costs more than a manual switch (about 8x more)
Plus manual switch makes you look at the connection before powering the hot lead

 

[whiteglad]

There are two "solenoids" under consideration. First, there is the box on the winch that sends power to the winch motor. This box is powered by the handheld unit with forward and reverse controls. A second solenoid is added by the buyer to disconnect power from the battery to the winch box, so the heavy cable is not powered ordinarily. If you get into an accident, the power cable can be shorted to ground and cause a fire or meltdown. This user-added solenoid can be activated by one of the auxiliary switches if desired. The factory auxiliary switches can carry enough amps for this purpose, but not to switch the main winch power.

 

[articcatbill]

I just finished my winch install. As others have suggested either approach works for the safety concern of having the hot heavy cable running to your front bumper in case of a collision.

I chose the disconnect over the solenoid. So yes I have to open my hood to activate my winch versus hitting aux button. In the end I just did not find a great place or bracket to mount the kind of heavy solenoid. CentralAK makes a bracket that easily holds the disconnect switch and mounts to factory holes. It was a simple install. I figured in the end more reliable as well. If I need my winch I am in a sticky situation and opening the hood doesn't really bother me, I am going to be needed to get out there and hook it up anyhow.

So just my thoughts, either way is perfectly fine.

 

[Tacklewasher]

So, I am in the market for a winch, but still weighing what I want. But I do have an isolator in my cart.

https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B082HMDMLG?smid=AWQC2B44XMORC&th=1

I am thinking of this vs. a switch under the hood. Plan is to wire it to something inside (I don't have Aux switches).

 

[articcatbill]

This is what I did for mine, the switch was from Amazon and the bracket from CentralAK

 

[tysongladiator]

I've been through about 4 or 5 different bumpers. I used a manual disconnect on my previous and on my current bumper.

On my previous bumper (top pic), it sat on top of the bumper. I really didn't like it but I have other stuff under my hood which didn't leave much room. I recently had to replace my bumper because I damaged it while rockcrawling. You can see it pushed into the grille.

On my current bumper (bottom pic), I installed the switch behind the bumper. It's out of the way and still functional.

Could I set it up to run with the Aux switch? Yes. But, I would rather save those switches for something else. My personal opinion.

 

[Minty JL]

I have mine wired straight to the battery.....no issues here

 

[Zachanadandy]

I've been through about 4 or 5 different bumpers. I used a manual disconnect on my previous and on my current bumper.

On my previous bumper (top pic), it sat on top of the bumper. I really didn't like it but I have other stuff under my hood which didn't leave much room. I recently had to replace my bumper because I damaged it while rockcrawling. You can see it pushed into the grille.

On my current bumper (bottom pic), I installed the switch behind the bumper. It's out of the way and still functional.

Could I set it up to run with the Aux switch? Yes. But, I would rather save those switches for something else. My personal opinion.

Why even run the disconnect switch if you're going to put it on or behind the front bumper? You're more likely to pinch the constantly hot wire in a collision than I am wired straight to the winch with where your switch is.

 

[whiteglad]

Here is how I routed my positive winch cable and shutoff solenoid. The solenoid trigger goes to an aux switch.

 

[Tacklewasher]

Here is how I routed my positive winch cable and shutoff solenoid. The solenoid trigger goes to an aux switch.

What solenoid amperage did you get? I like your install.

 

[whiteglad]

Amazon 500 amp solenoid, 2-0 positive cable from battery to solenoid.

 

[yoda13]

I’ve always wired mine straight to the battery. Hit a falling tree with my last Gladiator, destroyed the winch and most of the front end of the truck and didn’t have any issues.

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