Power cutoff for Winch

[Rita Runner]

so just installed a winch, but as i was googling, i came across several places selling a power cutoff for winches. Is that something that I need? Why would i need it? And would it be a good idea to wire it to an AUX switch?

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[Jad4275]

Not needed. Waste of money. Those that have/want them say it’s to prevent a fire or someone getting shocked if in an accident but you have better odds of winning the Powerball than either fire or shock occurring if it is installed properly and adding parts is just another potential failure point. Those trying to sell them are using this scare tactic. I could get hit by a meteorite or something else falling from the sky, but I don’t stay in my house and skip going outside because of this. This is why not one winch manufacturer recommends one and also why none have ever come installed from the factory with a cut off switch from any vehicle manufacturer.

To each their own but anyone saying it is needed needs to do stop with the may, might, could, possibly, etc. if it was a must, they would come from the factory with one and the winch manufacturers would tell you to install one. Any crappy install of anything is a safety hazard.

 

[PunksJL]

My factory Warn winch on my 2025 JLURX does not have a power cut off switch. I'd say if Jeep didn't install one at the factory it's probably not needed.

 

[Sublime]

Bad idea to wire it directly to an Aux switch. Unless you're using a power cutoff.

 

[RudeJeepin]

so just installed a winch, but as i was googling, i came across several places selling a power cutoff for winches. Is that something that I need? Why would i need it? And would it be a good idea to wire it to an AUX switch?

Need is debatable.
The two main arguments for are...in case of an accident where the main hot wire to the winch gets smashed against something metal, potential fire hazard...the other is some yahoo somehow messing with the winch and powering it up leading to potential issues.
Yes, an aux switch would work to trigger a solenoid. Just make sure if you use a solenoid that is rated for continuous run and for max amperage of your winch.

I've never run a cutoff and I've had a winch on at least one of my vehicles for nearly 35 years. With no issues of any kind. That being said, I have been debating on installing one on my newest Jeep.

 

[Tx_Wrangler]

I put one of these style, in line from the winch to the battery. Hood is locked so the winch cannot be powered up. Works for me.

 

[openingshok]

a power cut off is a VERY good idea. Anyone who says otherwise has never been trapped in a wreck from a head on collision with the winch power wire cut. If there is no power cut off your winch wire is going to arc and potentially cause a fire. If i hadn't had a cut off I would have quite possibly burned to death in front of my daughter who was un hurt. I was unconscious and my right foot was crushed/trapped in the foot well. They almost amputated it due to the severity of other injuries that needed to get me in the helicopter. Sorry to put a cloud over the forum but I get sick of people spouting off their opinions with no experience. Yes, an $80 Warn cutoff is potentially a life saving device. Look at my profile photo and prove me wrong.

 

[openingshok]

My factory Warn winch on my 2025 JLURX does not have a power cut off switch. I'd say if Jeep didn't install one at the factory it's probably not needed.

Difference is your "factory" warn winch was installed at the factory so the wiring is probably routed better than DIYers. Most winces have the power wire passing between the bumper and skid plate. In a head on collision that becomes a guillotine.

 

[beachbumm78]

I’m for a cutoff. An acquaintance I met had hers wired directly to the battery and somehow ended up with a short in the wiring for the winch and long story short winch went haywire while she was in a drive thru and ended up catching her jeep on fire. So crazy things do happen.

 

[Tncdrew]

It certainly can't hurt to have a disconnect switch inline with your winch's positive battery lead. I don't have a winch, but if I did, I'd install one. But that's me.

 

[C.Sco]

It's not needed. Tons of people don't use them. But I do, I consider it cheap insurance. I figure, if you'll spend $100 to mount a fire extinguisher to your roll bar, why not spend another $100 to reduce the chances you'll need to use it? I see no value in keeping my winch hot 24/7/365, when I only use it for maybe 10 minutes a year. Also it makes the winch one less thing to become a potential parasitic battery drain someday.

Sure, the solenoid could fail... but if it does, and I need to use the winch, it's not hard to bypass the solenoid temporarily. Just move one of the hot wires on the solenoid over to the same post as the other hot wire, and you're done.

I run a 500A solenoid on my hot lead, near the battery. The trigger wires for it connected to Aux 3.

 

[Terrymo]

One of the more hotly contested topics on the forum . Here’s just one of many threads
https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/wiring-a-winch-to-aux-switch.118294/

 

[jbcrane]

so just installed a winch, but as i was googling, i came across several places selling a power cutoff for winches. Is that something that I need? Why would i need it? And would it be a good idea to wire it to an AUX switch?

+1 for the cut-off. Last night I was at a function and a guy shared a picture of a new F250 burnt to a crisp due to electrical gremlins. Details are unknown, but aftermarket wiring is suspected. The power interrupt allows power to the winch in a measured, controlled way. That thing pulls a lot of amps. I have my Warn Power Interrupt kit wired to Aux 3 and only send power to the winch when I need it.

 

[Turniipp]

Not needed. Waste of money. Those that have/want them say it’s to prevent a fire or someone getting shocked if in an accident but you have better odds of winning the Powerball than either fire or shock occurring if it is installed properly and adding parts is just another potential failure point. Those trying to sell them are using this scare tactic. I could get hit by a meteorite or something else falling from the sky, but I don’t stay in my house and skip going outside because of this. This is why not one winch manufacturer recommends one and also why none have ever come installed from the factory with a cut off switch from any vehicle manufacturer.

To each their own but anyone saying it is needed needs to do stop with the may, might, could, possibly, etc. if it was a must, they would come from the factory with one and the winch manufacturers would tell you to install one. Any crappy install of anything is a safety hazard.

I appreciate your opinion, but I would love to point out that any modification made to a stock jeep would likely fall into your category of "not needed" using your definition. For example, how many jeeps have been modified beyond a reasonable "need"? And who determines what is reasonable? How many have added struts to their hoods, when a method to keep the hood open was already provided from the manufacturer? So you defined the power cut-off switch as "Not needed. Waste of money." And yet how many owners have installed the hood struts?

In other words, I agree that much of what we do on this forum is "not needed". I don't agree that it's a waste of money, and obviously there is a purpose that it serves..........even if said purpose is simply to provide peace of mind. The fact that Warn makes such a switch demonstrates that they believe there is a market for said switch.

You also stated that "if it was a must, they would come from the factory with one". There was a time when seatbelts didn't come with the cars from the factory. 3rd brake lights didn't exist much prior to the mid-80's. Air-bags are a lovely thing to have....... Just because a manufacturer didn't include something, doesn't mean it's a bad idea or "Not needed. Waste of money."

Furthermore, one of the beauties of owning a jeep is the ability to mod it as far as one wants to and/or can afford to. In fact, I think it safe to say that it's usually money, not practicality that prevents many of us from modifying them further than we already have.

If I were to take this further, I would begin to question the need to even have a winch in the first place? Is there truly a "need"? Or is it just a "waste of money"?

The screen clipping below is from Warn's website, wherein it states "recommended for extra protection". So it would appear that a winch manufacturer is recommending them. (and of course, profiting off of them)

 

[Jad4275]

Now we are comparing potatoes and tomatoes. You are correct. Everyone is free to do what they wish with their Jeep but if someone asks a question, I will give them an honest answer. Should we weld our lug nuts on in case they are not torqued to spec? i’m sure somebody has, but the mathematical odds tell most of us not to bother. Same applies for a cutoff on a winch. People keep mentioning that section of the catalogue (not in the winch section) but there is nothing in the warn winch manual or any other winch manufacturers manual that says it is recommended or required to install one for the winch. If you call their customer service, they will tell you that you can, but it is not needed, just like welding on your lug nuts so they don’t fall off. Carry on and good day!

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