WINCH CUT OFF SWITCH/SOLENOIDE

[AC77]

Hello everyone, which solenoid cut off switch does one need? any specific amp?

thanks

AC

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[Reinen]

This one works great.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000CQFVN8

 

[Roky]

Hello everyone, which solenoid cut off switch does one need? any specific amp?

thanks

AC

I went this route….my winch has the power button right on the top where anyone can access it…..so to minimize the shenanigans, I wired the Stinger to one of my aux switches, no power to winch unless I push the aux switch….

https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/crystal-rubi-build….61821/post-1330500

 

[Dale's Jeep]

I did exactly what Roxy did and has worked great.

 

[UTME]

I installed the warn solenoid. Same as @Reinen

https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/fo...ou-do-to-your-jeep-jl-today.3033/post-2627973

 

[Zandcwhite]

I disagree with the wording of the question as you don't NEED a solenoid or cutoff switch. If you WANT one I'd go with a 400A manual switch under the hood but I'm cheap.

 

[Reinen]

I disagree with the wording of the question as you don't NEED a solenoid or cutoff switch. If you WANT one I'd go with a 400A manual switch under the hood but I'm cheap.

Saying you don't NEED a solenoid or cutoff switch is like saying you don't NEED a helmet regardless of whatever activity you're doing. Technically speaking it may be correct, it doesn't perform any function that is integral to the task, but practically speaking it's a stupid argument to make.

 

[Zandcwhite]

Saying you don't NEED a solenoid or cutoff switch is like saying you don't NEED a helmet regardless of whatever activity you're doing. Technically speaking it may be correct, it doesn't perform any function that is integral to the task, but practically speaking it's a stupid argument to make.

100s of thousands of winch installs, most manufacturers, and I'd bet the majority of winches on the road would disagree with you. Only in our current era of bubble wrapped kids and people driving around by themselves wearing cloth masks have winch cutoffs become common. Even in warns catalog that cutoff solenoid is in the rear mounted winch accessories. No, a hot wire to the front mounted winch isn't dangerous or any more likely to short out than the battery itself in a front end collision if routed properly.

 

[Jad4275]

100s of thousands of winch installs, most manufacturers, and I'd bet the majority of winches on the road would disagree with you. Only in our current era of bubble wrapped kids and people driving around by themselves wearing cloth masks have winch cutoffs become common. Even in warns catalog that cutoff solenoid is in the rear mounted winch accessories. No, a hot wire to the front mounted winch isn't dangerous or any more likely to short out than the battery itself in a front end collision if routed properly.

Agreed. WARN doesn’t recommend installing them nor does one come with the factory winch option. That should say all that needs to be said.

 

[GtX]

Agreed. WARN doesn’t recommend installing them nor does one come with the factory winch option. That should say all that needs to be said.

The V6 MT clutch appreciates your confidence in Stelantis.

 

[Jad4275]

V6 MT clutch

Haha 50% confident in most aspects of their design but in this 100%. Better chance of winning lotto than needing a winch disconnect.

 

[Atomic-Mouse]

A lot of people also think these aren’t necessary but thousands of single unprepared parents probably wished they had that extra level of protection for just a $1 or $2.

I used the Stinger 500 amp in all three of my Jeeps. They disconnect power to my winches and air compressors.

If that makes me a paranoid bubble wrapped kid I’m fine with that but I am also a member of my local fire department and the first three things we do when arriving on scene, check on vehicle occupants, check for fire, disconnect batteries. Generally performed simultaneously by multiple people. I’ve seen them burn and you never forget that smell.
Is a disconnect solenoid 100% necessary? No, neither are angry grills but people keep putting those on Jeeps, but who the hell am I to judge other people’s decisions.

 

[blessidsoul12]

Badland Apex comes with one. I installed that. Easy.

 

[Reinen]

Agreed. WARN doesn’t recommend installing them nor does one come with the factory winch option. That should say all that needs to be said.

Then why does Warn describe their disconnect solenoid as "Allows you to connect aftermarket accessories to a battery lead and then disconnect power from a dash mounted switch. Recommended for extra protection."?

Exactly where does Warn recommend not installing a disconnect? They don't. They just recommend but do not require a disconnect because needing it is fairly rare.

There are three major reasons for an external winch power disconnect.

1. Water Fording
   The winch's internals may have waterproofing but the external power connection terminals typically are not. You do not want to submerge live high amp power leads in water. Not that anything catastrophic will happen (water isn't that great of a conductor) but there will be voltage leakage draining the battery and it will cause corrosion on the positive cable terminal. The more mineralized/salty the water is the worse it is (winter road spray). Disconnecting winch power in the engine compartment above the max water fording level significantly reduces this issue.
2. Stuck Internal Solenoid
   Winches have internal solenoids and solenoids can get stuck. While it's more common for solenoids to become stuck in the OFF position, it is possible for them to become stuck in the ON position. This results in being unable to stop the winch from retracting or extending. This can also happen with a problem in the controller. Google it, winches that don't stop does happen and it could be a huge problem during a recovery. An external power disconnect solenoid provides an easily accessed backup Power OFF switch.
3. Compromised Cable Insulation
   Poorly routed cables or a front end collision can compromise the cable insulation and cause a short. Car batteries can push over 1000A when shorted with no load which will melt the cables and cause the battery to vent flammable hydrogen. If you are in a front end collision severe enough to compromise winch power cables you will not be in any condition to react to an electrical fire. The only other OEM circuit that isn't protected by a fuse or disconnect is the starter cable, which is much shorter and much more protected than a front bumper winch cable.

Adding a winch power disconnect near the battery is like wearing a seat belt. You don't want to need it, you never plan on needing it, you rarely if ever actually need it, but when you need it you really need it. Just because many don't have one doesn't mean it's not a good thing to have.

 

[TheRaven]

Just wanted to add - here is the solenoid from that $95 Warn disconnect kit. A short length of power cable and an $8 switch assembly should put you under $30 total:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/232363925154

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