Winch solenoid recommendation

[NJRadioGuy]

Hi all,
I have the Harbor Freight Badland Apex 12000# winch installed, and it comes with a manual switch that I installed right at the battery, and normally leave powered off. In theory, I should be turning it on at the same time I air down at the trailhead, but I just seem to forget 9 times out of 10. So I'd like to get a solenoid that I can connect to an aux switch or a port on an S-pod. The HF winch supposedly draws 450A at full load, so I'm guessing a 500A solenoid should work? Anybody here doing this, and if so, which remote solenoid did you end up going with, and would you recommend it?

Please and thanks.

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[LazyJL]

I wanted the relay installed under the hood, instead of on top of the winch.
Albright DC88P-1000 DC88P-1000
https://www.ebay.com/itm/313445108881
The Jeep also has a power-on solenoid wired to an Aux switch.

 

[Terrymo]

A hotly contested topic with many threads. Here’s one.
https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/winch-shutoff-switch-at-battery.110939/#post-2304392

 

[YBABRAT]

I used my Rubicon's auxiliary switch #3 to switch a Bear solenoid. Look up bear solenoid, there are nany manufactures that make one. It is super heavy duty and works with heavy loads above 130A.

 

[Joker-7]

Jeep JL/JT Battery Cutoff Switch Mount - American Adventure Lab I went to the manufacture website for the solenoid and purchased it for $20 in black when it was onsale. Not sure the price anymore. Has been the best purchase, since my main winch cable is bad and drains the battery. Blue Sea Systems 6006200-BSS, M-Series Single Circuit ON-OFF Battery Switch with Removable Knob, Black, 300 Amp (1 MIN) | 5421 | Del City

 

[NJRadioGuy]

Jeep JL/JT Battery Cutoff Switch Mount - American Adventure Lab I went to the manufacture website for the solenoid and purchased it for $20 in black when it was onsale. Not sure the price anymore. Has been the best purchase, since my main winch cable is bad and drains the battery.

With respect, please re-read my original post. You'll see that this is what I have now—a manual switch that has to be physically turned by hand. I am forgetful, and although my plan was to turn it on as part of my air-down process, more often than not I forget to do it.

On a club trail ride this past summer the rig in front of me came close to rolling on its side into a mud pit. I had to get a line on him FAST, and my winch needs power to allow it to move the clutch into freespool mode. The switch was off and I had to mess around with opening the hood before I could extend a line. Thankfully nothing bad happened, but that was an unacceptable delay.

I need to change this to an electrical solenoid (relay) that can be activated from the drivers' seat, and does not require me to raise the hood. It needs to be of sufficient capacity to safely allow a 500A draw at peak load. I am seeking recommendations on which solenoid to buy from those here who have done this before and it's working as required.

 

[YBABRAT]

With respect, please re-read my original post. You'll see that this is what I have now—a manual switch that has to be physically turned by hand. I am forgetful, and although my plan was to turn it on as part of my air-down process, more often than not I forget to do it.

On a club trail ride this past summer the rig in front of me came close to rolling on its side into a mud pit. I had to get a line on him FAST, and my winch needs power to allow it to move the clutch into freespool mode. The switch was off and I had to mess around with opening the hood before I could extend a line. Thankfully nothing bad happened, but that was an unacceptable delay.

I need to change this to an electrical solenoid (relay) that can be activated from the drivers' seat, and does not require me to raise the hood. It needs to be of sufficient capacity to safely allow a 500A draw at peak load. I am seeking recommendations on which solenoid to buy from those here who have done this before and it's working as required.

500A load... even a Bear solenoid won't do that. Though if 500A is your goal, then a dual solenoid setup. And I thought my winch setup was over kill.

What breaks down a solenoid most is breaking its operational load capability. A peak load could be a bit higher, but it is for a very short amount of time.

 

[FireAnt21]

NVX BIR500 500 AMP Battery Relay... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KMBKWZ0?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

went with this. Worked great for me to turn on pull myself out then back off from my switch panel.

 

[RudeJeepin]

I have this one.
https://a.co/d/5aouT5d

 

[NJRadioGuy]

I have this one.
https://a.co/d/5aouT5d

That's a bit closer to what I had in mind price-wise. I'll probably go with that. So long as it's something I can just connect to an AUX switch or an S-pod port that's really all I need.

 

[RudeJeepin]

That's a bit closer to what I had in mind price-wise. I'll probably go with that. So long as it's something I can just connect to an AUX switch or an S-pod port that's really all I need.

The 2 little posts are for a switch.
I guess if your using an AUX switch, you just hook that to the little positive post, and a ground to the little negative post.

 

[YBABRAT]

Well like Chinese nomenclature always stating peak current not operational current, parts is parts today. What parts is peices parts from China?

You want the run down... Like I said continuous means always on. Inrush is peak not constant power.

Bear Series 12V DC Contactor delivers reliable and efficient performance. With a continuous rating of 225A and peak inrush of 600A.

What makes a bear solenoid a very capable contactor is the innards. Silver plated copper contacts. You can get them in surplus for less than $25.

 

[LanceMagnum]

Blue Sea ML-RBS, a bit 'overboard' but has been flawless for over 5 years:

 

[Atomic-Mouse]

I used the Stinger 500 amp in all three of my Jeep. No issues so far. I have had several long pulls with no heating issue loss of power. The Stinger looks very similar to the solenoids mentioned by RudeJeepin and FireAnt21 I’m guessing all were made in the same factory
I have mine tied into aux 2 in both of my JLs and the Stech in my Jk, easy install.

https://www.amazon.com/Stinger-SGP3...1761442262&sprefix=stinger+500,aps,286&sr=8-1

 

[Terrymo]

Blue Sea ML-RBS, a bit 'overboard' but has been flawless for over 5 years:

Overboard…I see what you did there

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