Winch Wiring Question

[Aussicon]

I am about to install a 500amp Stinger Solenoid. Will use one of the AUX switches for a trigger.
Do I attach the winch ground cable to the battery negative post (like the instructions say) or to the spare ground terminal near the AUX wires?

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[GATORB8]

The winch I ground to the battery post.

 

[chevymitchell]

I am about to install a 500amp Stinger Solenoid. Will use one of the AUX switches for a trigger.
Do I attach the winch ground cable to the battery negative post (like the instructions say) or to the spare ground terminal near the AUX wires?

Absolutely must go directly to the battery.

 

[Aussicon]

Thanks for the replies. Will use battery post. I noticed a number of other posts where guys wired direct to body ground. Is that bad?

 

[chevymitchell]

Thanks for the replies. Will use battery post. I noticed a number of other posts where guys wired direct to body ground. Is that bad?

Yeah.

Frame ground is dependent on the condition of the battery to frame cable.

Using Ohm’s Law, if resistance goes up, amperage goes down. Your winch will not only perform terribly, you’ll create a condition where too much heat will build in the winch motor and will destroy it.

Also, you have a much larger risk of affecting other electronic components if that large chassis wire from battery to frame is compromised. The winch will find a ground back to the battery through modules and other means. Thus destroying them.

Winches should always be directly connected to the battery.

 

[Mguy]

Frame ground is dependent on the condition of the battery to frame cable.

I think the "cable" should be moved and you mean "Frame ground is dependent on the condition of the battery cable to the frame."

I do agree that with a winch, because it's such a huge load, cables (both positive and negative) should go directly to the main battery. However, taking the winch negative to the same frame stud that has the battery negative would be acceptable, provided those two cable terminals were directly in contact on the stud.

 

[Aussicon]

I'm going with the advice from an Engineer!! I don't trust electricity - it's witchcraft.

 

[chevymitchell]

I think the "cable" should be moved and you mean "Frame ground is dependent on the condition of the battery cable to the frame."

I do agree that with a winch, because it's such a huge load, cables (both positive and negative) should go directly to the main battery. However, taking the winch negative to the same frame stud that has the battery negative would be acceptable, provided those two cable terminals were directly in contact on the stud.

I meant what I typed.

Frame/Chassis ground is all dependent on that one cable. Even engine to frame is dependent on it.

Even if the two cables are touching each other on that stud, you're still introducing an extra connection where corrosion or a loose stud nut would cause issues with the winch draw.

There shouldn't be any extra connections on the ground side for the winch. You can run a solenoid for power cut off on the power side, that's no problem. Corrosion on this side will just end up with extra heat on the solenoid and not on the winch motor. No extra connections on the ground side to protect the motor and to keep the motor from searching for a ground in case of a cable issue.

The TJ was famous for these issues since it had a chassis/frame ground about a foot below the main battery. This won't become apparent in the JL until they get some age and start rusting, but it can all be prevented by just following the instructions. They're written for a direct connection for this reason.

 

[Reinen]

Winch Neg cable to battery Neg terminal.
Solenoid on winch Pos cable close to the battery Pos terminal
Solenoid Pos to Aux switch wire, Neg to chassis ground.

 

[Aussicon]

So running the winch neg direct to battery, does anything connect to the now free terminal on the solenoid?

https://stingerelectronics-eu.com/product/500-amp-battery-isolator-relay/

 

[GATORB8]

So running the winch neg direct to battery, does anything connect to the now free terminal on the solenoid?

https://stingerelectronics-eu.com/product/500-amp-battery-isolator-relay/

The solenoid large studs are in the winch positive line.

B+ -> Solenoid big
Other solenoid big -> Winch positive.

 

[chevymitchell]

So running the winch neg direct to battery, does anything connect to the now free terminal on the solenoid?

https://stingerelectronics-eu.com/product/500-amp-battery-isolator-relay/

Good thing you asked. You were about to start a fire. Haha!

 

[Aussicon]

Wow! This is why electrics scare the crap out of me.

Just to confirm: (Electrical For Dummies!)

Big terminal 1: Positive from winch
Big terminal 2: Positive new lead to Positive battery
Small terminal 1: to 15amp AUX
Small terminal 2: chassis ground

So the solenoid thing is basically just a on/off switch for the Positive line?

 

[GATORB8]

Wow! This is why electrics scare the crap out of me.

Just to confirm: (Electrical For Dummies!)

Big terminal 1: Positive from winch
Big terminal 2: Positive new lead to Positive battery
Small terminal 1: to 15amp AUX
Small terminal 2: chassis ground

So the solenoid thing is basically just a on/off switch for the Positive line?

yes

 

[Aussicon]

I catch on quick. My Jeep and my deductible thank you all!!!

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