Winch install.

[PiDGE]

Finally got around to buying a winch this past weekend and could use some guidence with properly wiring it. I get red to +/black to - What I would like to know from other members that have installed one is should I fuse it? I personally fuse anything that goes in the truck in fear of a fire. What size would you recomende?? Have you guys added a disconnect to the battery incase your driving and the damm thing starts spinning. This is the first time ive wired one of these and just looking for some ideas you have or wished you did.

[Scotto]

My Warn isn't fused on the Heep. It would probably be best (and easiest) to have a quick disconnect at the battery. Then you can easily load on the winch, and not worry about popping a fuse.

[Morpheus]

mine is direct wired, but my thought one day to use a ford starter solenoid, the kind that sits on the inner fender to attach to a switch that I can turn power on and off to the winch.

[Nd4SpdSe]

I used to have a 150amp breaker on it. It came with 3x 50amps in parallel and I've dealt with that kind before and hated them, so picked up a resettable 150amp. 150 was just enough, but as voltage does down from use, amperage draw goes up, thus, breaker pops.

I did a thread asking about fuses/breakers. Had the idea of using a 200amp fuse as a backup just in case. Apparently it's common for winches to be directly connected, as some posted that their manuals even listed to do.

Oh, here we go:
http://www.cntc.ca/phpBB3/viewtopic.php ... lit=150amp

Really there's no way for the winch to start spinning unless power gets to the solenoid(s). I don't have a power kill switch, but I have a master switch for my in-cabin controls (handy when drunk passengers start playing with my switches).

[studum]

On my old tracker/sidekick I had a Titan winch that had an in-line disconnect. I'm not sure if they can be bought separately but it was very easy to use. Even with that it was wired up without a fuse though.

[Simon]

Winches can draw upwards of 450a at full load. I can't think of a fuse/breaker that will work under those conditions. Direct wire to the battery. If you can figure out a quick disconnect that will not melt under that type of load, even better as a safeguard.

[Nd4SpdSe]

had an in-line disconnect. I'm not sure if they can be bought separately

If you can figure out a quick disconnect that will not melt under that type of load, even better as a safeguard.

Princess Auto, under the welding section, has a variety of large quick disconnects that I'm pretty sure went up to at least 0awg

[lookzcustoms]

Winches can draw upwards of 450a at full load. I can't think of a fuse/breaker that will work under those conditions. Direct wire to the battery. If you can figure out a quick disconnect that will not melt under that type of load, even better as a safeguard.

x2
just hook it up right to the battery

[Miner]

I fused with at 300 with 450 spare (I think) and the ground is switched using an industrial master disconnect. I don't like the idea of direct wiring or the power being live at all times.

[PiDGE]

Miner Im confused with what your saying "with at 300 with 450 spare" could you say that again please. Got any pics of your set up I could borrow Id like to fuse it as well just in case. I like the idea of the forklift plug thing, but what would go bang if there is a short as you plug it together??? The battery??? the connector??? Today I did manage to get it in the bumper, but ive still got to extend the wires to the box as I've relocated it to the engine compartment.

[Nd4SpdSe]

Miner Im confused with what your saying "with at 300 with 450 spare" could you say that again please. Got any pics of your set up I could borrow Id like to fuse it as well just in case. I like the idea of the forklift plug thing, but what would go bang if there is a short as you plug it together??? The battery??? the connector???

I don't think he'll have both a 300 and a 450 on hand, I did at one point have a 150amp breaker and a 200amp fuse, but both those got pulled after finding out what they really draw.

What I guess is that his is probably fused with a 300 and had a 450 sitting in the truck somewhere as a spare. If he gets stuck, REALLY stuck, and needs to draw more than 300amp to get himself or someone unstuck, he can.

With anything electrical, as the voltage drops (from heavy winch usage) the amperage goes up. That 300amp fuse may be fine and dandy when you're battery is charged at 14volts, but as you start some heavy and steady winching, your alternator (especially stock alternator) can't keep up, and you'll drop, and easilly drop under 12v, 11v.

300amps @ 14.0v is now 382amps at 11.0v

If something fries, it'll typically be the coil inside the solenoid that'll go.

[Miner]

Miner Im confused with what your saying "with at 300 with 450 spare" could you say that again please. Got any pics of your set up I could borrow Id like to fuse it as well just in case. I like the idea of the forklift plug thing, but what would go bang if there is a short as you plug it together??? The battery??? the connector???

I don't think he'll have both a 300 and a 450 on hand, I did at one point have a 150amp breaker and a 200amp fuse, but both those got pulled after finding out what they really draw.

What I guess is that his is probably fused with a 300 and had a 450 sitting in the truck somewhere as a spare. If he gets stuck, REALLY stuck, and needs to draw more than 300amp to get himself or someone unstuck, he can.

Exactly. If things really go bad there is also the option of bypassing the fuse. I will try to dig up some pictures.

I have no arching concerns when connecting the winch cable (fork lift connector) as the ground is disconnected when the winch isn't in place.

Note, one winter I didn't remove the fuse and the positive terminal of the connector corroded completely. With the fuse out and the ground disconnected the terminals have survived four winters with no ill effects.

[PiDGE]

Thanks guys. Look foward Miner to those pics. Just tryin to get it right the first time.

[Miner]

Thanks guys. Look foward Miner to those pics. Just tryin to get it right the first time.

PM me your email. I found pics but I'm too lazy to upload to photobucket and post.

[PiDGE]

Sorry Miner for the late response I either didnt see your post or was working for the man. pm sent.