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Power cutoff for Winch

Jtphoto

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So… I chose to instal a stinger solenoid so I could control power to the winch via one of my aux switches. To me not having my winch lines live all the time is piece of mind. Well worth the cost to me.
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Jad4275

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after I made post 62 I emailed Warn and this is their reply..pretty fast reply at that...no where in the response do they say recommend....

I have a Warn VR10S winch I am installing on my jeep wrangler. I have a question does there need to be a power interrupter or cut off switch or is it better to go straight to the battery? I have installed at least 5 Warn winches in the past mostly VR series but one Zeon series and don’t ever recall a recommendation of a power cut off or solenoid but it recently someone told me that Warn recommended using one or the other. thanks jeff

hello,

a power interupt kit is not required when installing the winch but we do have one in case the customer would like to have the option.


thanks,

Jamie Carson | Technical Service Representative

Warn Industries, Inc. | 12900 SE Capps Road | Clackamas, OR 97015

Email | [email protected] | Phone 503-722-1200 EXT:3154
Thank you for having them reconfirm what a few of us already know. I bet they recommend people follow their instructions and not try reinterpreting what is very clear to try to make it fit their narrative.
 

jadmt

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Thank you for having them reconfirm what a few of us already know. I bet they recommend people follow their instructions and not try reinterpreting what is very clear to try to make it fit their narrative.
I have found that is usually the case.... same with engine oil threads, gear oil threads, all kinds of things for some reason some will always want to do it differently :)
 

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12v batteries hardwired to supply power aren't related to 12v batteries hardwired to supply power? Got it.
No. A UPS that has active power balancing and monitoring circuitry and an almost-zero percent chance of being involved in an automobile accident is not at all related to a winch mounted on the front of an automobile and hardwired to a battery.

Got that?
 

Zandcwhite

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No. A UPS that has active power balancing and monitoring circuitry and an almost-zero percent chance of being involved in an automobile accident is not at all related to a winch mounted on the front of an automobile and hardwired to a battery.

Got that?
Like I said, if it makes you feel better run a switch or a solenoid or a disconnect plug, or fuse or whatever combination you want, Warn still doesn't recommend it just because they sell it. In fact they say exactly what I've always said, you CAN run one if you want to. And no manufacturer recommends fuses or breakers period.
 
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Warn Zeon 10s instructions make no mention of a power interrupt that I recall. I have the power interrupt wired to aux 4, not because it’s mandatory, but because I chose to. This same debate goes round and round with the same folks repeating the same opinions…that’s why forums exist. Here are the wiring instructions that I received.
Jeep Wrangler JL Power cutoff for Winch IMG_3296
 

Zandcwhite

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Are there any other unfused always-on circuits?
The circuit isn't on until the winch solenoids are activated. Are there any other 400A+ circuits on the vehicle period? In a vehicle where the battery is remote mounted the battery leads are far longer than winch leads... and still unfused. Your typical DC class T fuse will run at 200% for a full minute. If it's sized for max winch draw it will never trip at max CCA.
Jeep Wrangler JL Power cutoff for Winch Screenshot_20250509_165225_Chrom
 

TheRaven

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In a vehicle where the battery is remote mounted the battery leads are far longer than winch leads... and still unfused.
I just checked because my CTS has a trunk mounted battery. It does have fuses. There are five fuses in the distribution block that sits right on top of the battery. My Silverado also has fuses even though the battery is up front. I believe the JL also has one of these fused distribution blocks right under the main fuse box doesn't it?
 

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Zandcwhite

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I just checked because my CTS has a trunk mounted battery. It does have fuses. There are five fuses in the distribution block that sits right on top of the battery. My Silverado also has fuses even though the battery is up front. I believe the JL also has one of these fused distribution blocks right under the main fuse box doesn't it?
Where's the single 400A fuse though? Where's the factory installed winch with a cutoff switch or a fuse? Why don't they just run 1 big fuse on the battery positive terminal for increased safety? Because any fuse big enough for the full load would never trip. Sure you could try getting creative with a class T and run it undersized on the hope that you never pull the full 400A rating of your winch long enough to blow it. I wonder why nobody aside from the paranoid on the internet does it? Why don't winch manufacturers recommend them? If it was nearly the safety concern or as easy as the uninformed on the internet make it out to be they'd have some liability waiver if you installed their winch without a fuse in the install manual. Instead of 1 big winch you could run 4x 2k pound winches with 100A fuses I guess?
 

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Where's the single 400A fuse though?
Far left in this pic:

Jeep Wrangler JL Power cutoff for Winch -distribution-engine-fuse-block-oem-56668872966431


Where's the factory installed winch with a cutoff switch or a fuse? Why don't they just run 1 big fuse on the battery positive terminal for increased safety? Because any fuse big enough for the full load would never trip. Sure you could try getting creative with a class T and run it undersized on the hope that you never pull the full 400A rating of your winch long enough to blow it. I wonder why nobody aside from the paranoid on the internet does it? Why don't winch manufacturers recommend them? If it was nearly the safety concern or as easy as the uninformed on the internet make it out to be they'd have some liability waiver if you installed their winch without a fuse in the install manual. Instead of 1 big winch you could run 4x 2k pound winches with 100A fuses I guess?
Lots of guys run 250A fuses on their winches and never have a problem. You would most likely overheat the winch before you pulled enough amps for a long enough period of time to blow a 400A fuse...what's the contactor in the Zeon rated for? It's not 400A continuous I know that.

Actually, I'M the one who should be able to get that answer. I'll ask and report back.
 

Zandcwhite

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Far left in this pic:

-distribution-engine-fuse-block-oem-56668872966431.webp




Lots of guys run 250A fuses on their winches and never have a problem. You would most likely overheat the winch before you pulled enough amps for a long enough period of time to blow a 400A fuse...what's the contactor in the Zeon rated for? It's not 400A continuous I know that.

Actually, I'M the one who should be able to get that answer. I'll ask and report back.
That's a 400a rated distribution block, not a fuse. Even if it's a fuseible link they often cause major damage when they melt when they are that large. I'm willing to bet there are far more unfused winches than under fused running 250A fuses on 400+A rated winches.
 

Blade1668

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I'll add my thoughts to it and experience, as many years and multiple winches... I've got close to a dozen. 😳 Have had and saw a number of brands fail to a point of not recommending some certain brands other than select models. Hard to believe I had a old H.F (pre Badlands) 8k winch that refused to quit. Slow as hell but always worked, I finally found someone to give it to. 🤔
I've done both along with using Anderson connector for winch disconnect. On older vehicles the bumper frame rails are not (as much) crash crumple zones like late model vehicles. I installed the Warn switch kit in my old XJ but ran front and rear winches plus Anderson connectors. I could use for booster cables too. On Wrangler Unlimited it was direct wired originally (now on winch #3) now just Anderson connector. My Gladiator is wired up with disconnect triggered by Aux switch reasons crash crumple zone was of concern with even wildlife aka deer. On using fuse or breaker, I have one on a 4 wheeler winch as a the company who sells it with breaker.
I'm sure I don't want a fender crushed in, cutting a 02 ga wires hooked straight to the battery.
It's a personal choice, do what you feel you need.
 

Jtphoto

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Like I said, if it makes you feel better run a switch or a solenoid or a disconnect plug, or fuse or whatever combination you want, Warn still doesn't recommend it just because they sell it. In fact they say exactly what I've always said, you CAN run one if you want to. And no manufacturer recommends fuses or breakers period.
Actually, Ramsey winches come with a fuse bar on the power cable to protect the winch and vehicle from possible damage.
Superwinch doesn’t come with a fuse but they do recommend one.
Consider, if you have a head on collision with a vehicle or wildlife and crushes your winch, what’s the chances it will crush the or cut the cables a damage the winch top solenoids.
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