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Winch isolation switch

For all things Electrical.

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Posts: 544
Joined: Sat Jan 10, 2004 5:49 pm
Location: Kalorama, VIC

Winch isolation switch

Post by M1S3RY »

Now that i've finally got my winch wired up, i'd like to have a switch in the car that can isolate the power to the winch. Can this be done by;

A - Big arse solenoid between the battery and the winch (Also meaning no power to the control box when dunked in water)

B - Have a switch on the earth lead from the control box (The little black wire, but power will still get the the box and fry it if dunked?)

The reason behind this is i don't won't some little so-and-so messing around with the winch when i'm not there and causing a lot of damage and also not having to reconnnect it every time i go out wheeling (As i do now).

Any help much appreciated.

-Steele
Four wheels (Driving) good, two wheels bad.

NP Pajero with added goodness..
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Post by MissDrew »

Take the power lead that feeds the pins for the plug and put a switch in it.
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Post by 75 cruiser »

i put a big solinoid in the main power lead to the winch!i have a switch in the dash that activates the solinoid so its only got power and i want it too!yes i have the same thought about some low life running the winch cable over the roof conecting it to the tow bar and shorting out the winch!
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Post by Bush65 »

The solenoids isolate the power, when de-energised. Adding another isolator will cause further voltage drop at the winch motor.

Do what Guts suggested and isolate the control wiring.
John
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Post by pongo »

I relocated my control box to inside the engine bay. No more chassis vibrations to kill the solanoids and is now tamper proof.



Just a thought
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Post by M1S3RY »

Bush65 wrote:The solenoids isolate the power, when de-energised. Adding another isolator will cause further voltage drop at the winch motor.

Do what Guts suggested and isolate the control wiring.
But can't the solenoids still short out when under water because they still have power to them and the water acts as a switch?
Four wheels (Driving) good, two wheels bad.

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Post by David_S »

I have often wondered about that but have never had a problem and I have been through an awful lot of water! I think water (not salt water) is a poor conductor or else you would have frequent problems with alternators and starter motors. Lights work under water too, I have found out, though you normally crack the lens first so it is not recommended!

That said, I have just relocated my solenoid pack to the engine bay after 20 years mounted on the motor. I know, I take a while to get round to fixing things. Actually I don't think the winch works as well now - probably the starter cables I used are a bit small.
1982 Patrol K160 SWB (MQ) 4L P40 Petrol with Megasquirt fuel injection and EDIS ignition. Warn 8274 winch with Gigglepin head
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