Topic: Wiring up a winch

[DiGGeR77]

I was at my local Sams Club and found a deal I just couldn't pass up, a Champion 10,000lb winch w/ acc package for $350.00, I did do alot of research and found alot of possitive reviews as well as negative.  For an Extra $30 I got the 3yrs Sams club exchange (bring it back for exchange for a new one). So If nothing else, it breaks down to $10 bucks a month for the next 3 yrs of having a huge winch. It comes with a package to let you mount it to the front and back by way of a receiver (I'll post pic's of my build...later) But now getting down to the real meat of things....

How are you suppose to wire it up correctly? I have to sets of no#2 wire(one set for the front and one for the back) to connect to my battery. I really dont want to hook it directly to my battery terminal, do to the severe weight and bulk that it would cause not to mention it would look like Hell. I was thinking of a juction box, but before I burn too many brain cells trying to re-invent the wheel, I thought of asking you guys how you did yours.

[FourbangerYJ]

http://www.warn.com/truck/accessories/quick_connect_all.shtml

This kit is made to have your winch on the front or rear. My suggestion is to leave it on the front, keep the extra set of wires in the Jeep incase you need to move it to the rear. Once your done move it back to the front.

[oldjeep]

Just be aware that if you decide to carry that winch inside the jeep that you better figure out a solid way to secure it.  It'll be a 100 lb chunk of death if it's just sitting in the back of the jeep when you roll over.

[DiGGeR77]

Its home is going to be in the front and will always remain in the front until I get in a sitution where i can't go foward, and the kit already came with an 2nd set of wires to run to the back, I just need to know if theres a clean way of hooking these up to the battery.
This may be a stupid question but, the winch covers about 60%-70% of the radiator does this cause the jeep to run hotter? (I'll post pics this weekend)

[jcsanders79]

Most will have an in line fuse of some type and they are safe to hook directly to the battery.  Why don't you want to hook it directly to the battery?  My winch covers some of the radiator but not 60-70% so I have no idea how thats going to work out.

[Jeffy]

Most will have an in line fuse of some type and they are safe to hook directly to the battery.  Why don't you want to hook it directly to the battery?  My winch covers some of the radiator but not 60-70% so I have no idea how thats going to work out.

Hmm, my Warn does not have any fuses.

[oldjeep]

Winches do not have fuses.  Just hook direct to the battery, might be a good time to switch to marine style battery connectors, makes it easier to connect multiple cables.

[neale_rs]

You might consider these:

http://www.premierpowerwelder.com/terminals/terminals.html

[aw12345]

Look on some tow trucks and some emergency vehicles they have a quick disconnect for the battery jumper cables
You should be able to get those at a welding supply store

[Jeffy]

Winches do not have fuses.  Just hook direct to the battery, might be a good time to switch to marine style battery connectors, makes it easier to connect multiple cables.

I'd imagine the amp load when pulling full weight would blow a standard fuse. There really isn't much in a winch to go wrong either.  The motor, two relays and some wiring, they're pretty robust.

Look on some tow trucks and some emergency vehicles they have a quick disconnect for the battery jumper cables
You should be able to get those at a welding supply store

You can get them at NAPA Auto parts as well.  Usually $20.

[rubberducky]

Yea I saw that winch also, I almost bought it, but I'm not sure how the squirrels would push a warn winch on the front as well as the Champion on the  back. (always have wanted to winch my jeep into a tree like in The Gods Must be Crazy) If I'm not mistaken it comes with a quick disconnect just like my warn 9.5TI in the cradle does. Mine is hooked to battery and is fine, You kinda need to hook it up directly because of the amount of power it draws. Or you would be popping fuses all day. Besides I'm not sure how much you drive but me personally I strip my jeep most of the time to save weight. Which does help for MPG's. No backseat, winch, hardtop, spare tire.  Yea I know, I have 100k on it and the squirrels are getting tired.
   RD

[jcsanders79]

Maybe its not a fuse but there is a hard platic piece on the red wire, 9.5ti?  Maybey its a disconect like mentioned?

[Jeffy]

Maybe its not a fuse but there is a hard platic piece on the red wire, 9.5ti?  Maybey its a disconect like mentioned?

Have any pictures?

[GTChrisB]

Just be careful with this mofo.  Got one in Jan and have burned 2 alternators as a result of it. 

I wired it directly to the battery.  However, I take mine off when it's not going to be used.  It either sits in the Liberty or the living room next to the door.  Have to cover it with an old Army foul weather coat because my wife's rabbit likes to chew electrical wires if not watched. 

[jcsanders79]

Have any pictures?

Nope and don't care enough to go take one or look to make sure I'm remembering it right.  Either way its still wired straight to the battery.