Battery kill switches for winch ?

[Richard_JL]

Are these switches rated for always OFF and occasionally ON or the other way around, or does it even matter. I would be always OFF, occasionally ON.

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[grimmjeeper]

Blue Sea makes fantastic products. Use them all the time on the fire trucks we sell/service.

I use their stuff too. Good quality and entirely worth it.

 

[Nokones]

My Aux circuits are being used for lights and 4 two-way radios.

So, I decided to use a 500 Amp battery cut-off switch to cut the power to my winch.

My winch is powered from my secondary battery and the duty cycle rating is the same for both open or closed contact closures.

 

[James Westfall]

You know perfectly well that required wire gauge depends on the length of the run.

At least you should if you're going to pass yourself off as an expert.

YUP - That's why I said "at least".

 

[grimmjeeper]

YUP - That's why I said "at least".

 

[Nokones]

Also just wanted to note - if you want to go way overboard and be covered for 500A continuous, you are going to need at least 500kcmil cable...and I don't know if you've ever tried to run cable that big but bro...you'd better have some cannons.

Interesting and honest question - does an automotive disconnect rated for 500A continuous actually have terminals large enough for wire that will handle 500A continuous?

If I recall correctly, the continuous power draw for my Evo 10S is rated from 360-385 amps.

 

[RubiSc0tt]

Got mine wired to aux # 2….

i've been eyeing a setup like this for my winch. Got a write up to follow?

 

[Phantom01231]

My Smittybilt winch instructions says wire direct to battery. I'd feel better if I had a disconnect switch on the positive terminal near the battery just in case of front end crash, possible drain, etc. My intent is to have the switch 'off' all the time and open the hood and turn switch 'on' when I use the winch (or maybe should use Aux 1 + relay?).

The Badland 12K winch even includes such a switch, and there are lots of clean out-of-the-box options (switch + mount) for 4Runner, but not so much for Wrangler.

Can you guys show your clean solutions? Thanks!

honestly just slap an appropriate rated fuse inline and you will be fine. I wouldn’t worry much about the solenoid disconnect. I had one wired up on mine mechanical and a solenoid wired to the aux switch in parallel in case the solenoid takes a dump I had a mech switch. With the fuse the safety factor will be there in case there is a wreck and the cable gets pinched. In terms of controlling power to it I would not worry much unless your winch does not have a power switch on it. One thing I did not consider when setting mine up was if you need to winch you still have to get your butt out and run the line and everything else. So what is the point of controlling power to it with the Aux switches…

and don’t just get a solenoid rated a 500. Go higher. The heat in the engine bay will degrade it overtime and with it being heat soaked by the time you do any winching as it is it’s not going to handle even 500A at that point.

 

[James Westfall]

If I recall correctly, the continuous power draw for my Evo 10S is rated from 360-385 amps.

That's peak - the contactor is rated for 360A. Continuous is more like 100A.

Here it is - DC88 monoblock D.C. contactor for motor reversing - Albright

 

[Richard_JL]

honestly just slap an appropriate rated fuse inline and you will be fine. I wouldn’t worry much about the solenoid disconnect. ...

You suggest something like this, just pop it on the positive lead and be done with? (and keep a spare handy). 300,400 or 500A?

 

[Roky]

i've been eyeing a setup like this for my winch. Got a write up to follow?

Hey bud,
In my build thread there’s like a quick reference list of where stuff is (I got to where I can’t remember all of it, and scrolling through was a pain in the ass, ) it’s on there I think near the top…. I just have a better picture of the top of it… aux wire and ground… my ground wire is red, ( all I had at the time) so don’t let that throw you..

 

[Roky]

So what is the point of controlling power to it with the Aux switches…

Everybody has there own reasons….Mine was because my on off switch is on the winch, didn’t like it being accessible for shenanigans…. Also some of the Quadratec winches were recalled for turning themselves on out of the blue, luckily mine wasn’t one… but those are two reasons why I did it….never had any problems in near 6 years now, with this setup and I use my winch more than most ….

 

[Phantom01231]

Yeah will work just fine. I’m not familiar with your particular winch, but if you are able to turn off the controls on it at the winch then just putting a fuse on will be just fine. You’re gonna want to fuse it regardless. Now if you just don’t want any power going to the unit at all unless you’re going to use the winch then go ahead and get a disconnect. Place the fuse before the disconnect. People will say that does not matter but it does on so many different levels.

I’ll probably go back and re add the disconnect on mine at some point, but it’s not totally necessary, the fuse is!

the solenoid though…. Cool idea and all and controlling from the aux, but honestly waste of space and just something extra to take a crap. But if you do like I said go higher than a 500 A rated one.

 

[Phantom01231]

You suggest something like this, just pop it on the positive lead and be done with? (and keep a spare handy). 300,400 or 500A?

And whatever your continuous draw is or rated to be times that by 1.25 to get your fuse rating.

 

[James Westfall]

Everybody has there own reasons….Mine was because my on off switch is on the winch, didn’t like it being accessible for shenanigans…. Also some of the Quadratec winches were recalled for turning themselves on out of the blue, luckily mine wasn’t one… but those are two reasons why I did it….never had any problems with this setup and I use my winch more than most ….

Also Warn had that huge remote recall that nearly sunk them - the wireless remotes were shorting out and running the winch if they got wet.

I'm not a fan of an unprotected high-power lead and an always-on accessory of that size either.

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