Winch wiring question

[Willysfan]

Hey guys, I bought a HF Apex 12000 lbs winch and I'm pretty happy with it. I have only used it once and it seemed to preform just fine. My only gripe is the cheap battery cut off switch. It's really a POS and I don't like having to open the hood every time I need to use it. I was thinking it would be a pretty easy fix to wire a relay to the AUX switches so I can turn it on and off from the cab. Good idea, bad idea? Anybody else done this mod? What relay did you use and where did you mount it? Any pics would be great. Thanks, J

Sponsored

 

[Jeepeto]

Should work fine, you could also tie the relay in with ignition switched power if you want to save an aux switch and it'll cut power when the rig is off.

Avoid standard auto relays (too small), but a winch solenoid that should be up to the task.

https://www.amazon.com/WARN-62871-A...mzn1.fos.18ed3cb5-28d5-4975-8bc7-93deae8f9840

 

[rcadden]

My understanding is that this Warn kit is designed to do just that, and can also easily allow you to wire it to one of the AUX switches, so it would be unpowered unless you press the AUX button first (as opposed to the in-bay battery switch)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000CQFVN...olid=1RL9R70QXX9XG&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

Based on my research (I have the same winch in the garage waiting for the winch plate to be delivered), however, having the power cutoff mounted under the hood is good practice because you *should* have the hood up/open for safe winching, as a shield in case the line should break (yes, even with a synthetic rope).

I'm brand new to winching so I have no intelligence/experience as to whether that's overkill or something that people tell you to do that you don't really need to do, but it's something I've seen shared on generally every "winching safety" video that I've watched.

Sponsored