Winch Solenoid Position ???

[Bitsamissin]

Ok picked up the winch today (Warn 9000lb).
Forgot how big that bloody solenoid box is and how easy water and mud can get in (their not sealed very well).
Since I do a lot of Toolangi/Gembrook mud I'm trying to be creative and put it in a spot where it is most protected rather than just on top of the bullbar.
The only real spot under the bonnet is where the second battery will go so interested to hear other guys idea's..................

[ToNkA]

Was talking about this the other day. Wouldn't placing the box further away from the winch create less power due to the amount of cabling you have to run?

Is that why the solenoid boxes are usually right on top of the winch?

[Wendle]

Tonka has a good point, but if you keep the solenoids in a direct line between the winch & battery, as the lines from the winch to the solenoids get longer, the lines from the solenoids to the battery get shorter, so no difference.
I took my solenoid pack out of its plastic box and put it under the washer/wiper bottle, which is right in front of the battery on a GQ. Folded up a thin splash guard for it (thats all the plastic box is anyway, like you said, it doesn't seal)
Piss the hand controller off, wire up a dual momentary switch in the cabin, one on the grill or bullbar somewhere (ashdowns have water/dustproof dual momentarys) and an isolating switch in the engine bay and call it good.
Have seen solenoid packs fitted up into clipsal boxes or tupperware if you really want them to be sealed??

[Wooders]

I've got mine mounted under the bonnet - in line with the route to/from the battery. No problems and keeps it MUCH cleaner....

[ToNkA]

Good point Wendle, didnt think of that. (ie other lines will get shorter if run in direct line from battery)..

[MissDrew]

How do you fix voltage drop? You use bigger cables, problems solved. My cables from the battery and to the winch are atleast twice the size of standard ones. Yes there is a formula for working it all out if you really want :roll

I have mine in a fully water and dust tight box under the bonnet, it even has calbe glandes on each and every cable. I have had the solenoids in the box for the last 3 or 4 years and it is still clean inside.

It might have gotten some crap in it at ttc as I had a little hickup with the earth for the solenoids just before the event started and we had to do a quick fix to get my winch working again in time for the first stage so it didn`t get resealed properly :rolleyes

If you have the 4x4 monthly with my lux in it (I think its the feb 2002 issue) there is a very clear picture of the solenoid box in it.