Lets see some pics of your relocated winch solenoid - would you do it that way again? what changes would you make? I am trying to save some cash by doing it right the first time.
Winch Solenoid Relocation
- Thread starter tx_shooter
- Start date
Taco Loco
Tired and Lazy, married to ‘The Laundry Fairy’
Really not that much cost wise, all your doing is extended the cables between the solenoid and winch, then use light application of silicone on the solenoid housing/cables
Silverback
Lima Gulf Bravo Foxtrot Juliet Bravo
First time with a Warn M8000, used some simple heavy gauge angle brackets bolted together and then bolted to the top of the wheel well. Sat like that for 9 years.
Got a new 12.5 Superwinch so I decided to built a bracket that used nutserts to bolt to the inner fender. Its a two piece design that the shelf that holds the solenoid is bolted to the face plate that attaches to the fender. Did it this way to allow me to install it and if I ever decide to change winches again all I have to do is rebuild the bottom shelf and not drill any more holes in my truck. Hopefully. No pics of bottom shelf but its got a rib along the bottom to give it some stiffness and the center has a cutout where the power wires feed out from. Its also tapped to accept the long bolts going through the solenoid cover and base.
Got a new 12.5 Superwinch so I decided to built a bracket that used nutserts to bolt to the inner fender. Its a two piece design that the shelf that holds the solenoid is bolted to the face plate that attaches to the fender. Did it this way to allow me to install it and if I ever decide to change winches again all I have to do is rebuild the bottom shelf and not drill any more holes in my truck. Hopefully. No pics of bottom shelf but its got a rib along the bottom to give it some stiffness and the center has a cutout where the power wires feed out from. Its also tapped to accept the long bolts going through the solenoid cover and base.
Oswego
n00b
Whatever you end up going with please make sure you have a power on/off master switch that's in between the power source and the solenoids in case they get "stuck" while on. Winches stuck on scare the crap out of me. I picked up the warn kill switch many moons ago. Looks nice and of good quality, but can't comment on it's use as Ive never installed it 
As close to the firewall as possible seems to be the spot my truck picked up the least mud.
As close to the firewall as possible seems to be the spot my truck picked up the least mud.
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tex
That's Mr Asshole to you
Its funny you say that. My Warn install directions said to hook it up direct to the battery. I still put in a marine cut off switch.Whatever you end up going with please make sure you have a power on/off master switch that's in between the power source and the solenoids in case they get "stuck" while on. Winches stuck on scare the crap out of me. I picked up the warn kill switch many moons ago. Looks nice and of good quality, but can't comment on it's use as Ive never installed it
Silverback
Lima Gulf Bravo Foxtrot Juliet Bravo
Its because a winch will pull 400 amps and melt most any switch.
Silverback
Lima Gulf Bravo Foxtrot Juliet Bravo
What one is it?
tex
That's Mr Asshole to you
This one. I was a little off on the specs but it handles the winch.
BEP 701 Battery Switches - On-Off https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005DUUL9W/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_..E6AbZXH53HR
Silverback
Lima Gulf Bravo Foxtrot Juliet Bravo
This is what you need if you want to run a switch. 600 amps continuous.
https://www.amazon.com/Battery-Cut-...-spons&keywords=blue+sea+battery+switch&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/Battery-Cut-...-spons&keywords=blue+sea+battery+switch&psc=1
I bought this mini-blue seas switch awhile back. I have yet to install it but an planning on doing it next week (and my winch is not hooked up to my battery at this time).
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00558LSJE/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00558LSJE/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Silverback
Lima Gulf Bravo Foxtrot Juliet Bravo
300 amps is not enough.. when that winch is under a heavy load (which is probably why you bought a winch... so it would save your ass when you need it most) it will pull over 400 amps, you will melt the switch.
Well shit. I was reading around other forums and guys were running the mini's. Figured it's compact size will allow it to be mounted inside my bumper.
Current plan is to run winch, relocate solenoid, and have a cut off switch between solenoid and battery. Later on I might add the wireless controller.
Silverback
Lima Gulf Bravo Foxtrot Juliet Bravo
It will work... for a period of time. But if you are really stuck, or someone is and you really need to load up the winch. It will pull too many amps and that thing has a very good possibility of melting. Shit I melted 200 amp CB's and fuseblocks with my Oasis air compressor. (its basically a winch motor with a York AC head) But they said it would not pull more than 180 amps at full tilt boogie.. well it did. I just think a thing capable of 400 amps and you think that a 300 amp switch will work is just asking for a failure. You would really have to baby winching things back in under a load. 5 second bursts? Yeah that would suck major balls.
Silverback
Lima Gulf Bravo Foxtrot Juliet Bravo
In-cab winch controller FTW, fuck wireless...one more battery to die in the middle of no-where. Plus when I am winching I want to be in the vehicle with my foot on the brake if I am recovering someone, or behind the wheel if I'm recovering myself.
Taco Loco
Tired and Lazy, married to ‘The Laundry Fairy’
Electrical/battery problems, the second most common cause of all car fires, the first is fuel leaks.
At least once a month the Army has combat vehicles/trucks burn up up from battery, cables & solenoid shorts, and most of the time the vehicle is just sitting there parked in storage lots. 5mil strykers are not cheap...
A standard car battery short is equivalent to 5,000 instant volts, larger batteries for diesel trucks is upwards of 7,000 volts when a short occurs.
Silverback
Lima Gulf Bravo Foxtrot Juliet Bravo
Serious. look at the specs on this switch. HD-Series Heavy Duty On-Off Battery Switch - Blue Sea Systems
You talk about shorting out due to wiring, put a shitty switch in there and you definitely will.
Continuous Rating
600A
Intermittent Rating
900A (5 min)
Cranking Rating 30 sec
1750A
You talk about shorting out due to wiring, put a shitty switch in there and you definitely will.
Continuous Rating
Intermittent Rating
Cranking Rating 30 sec