Winch Relays what size

[Mlarv]

Alright I am trying to figure out which size relay to use to power a winch. Looks like I will be getting a 9.5K winch for the front. I want to power it off one of the AUX switches, so I will need a relay. The issue I am having is getting a real answer. I keep seeing isolators and new controllers, but not just a simple relay.

So what size relay (amps wise) and a source if you have one.

Anybody do this instead of running it straight back to the battery?

I have a setup like this on MY F150 for a portable winch or jumper cables. I might just go with it on the Bronco, but I want a clean install.

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[PWillette]

I had planned to go the route you describe w/ an aux switch operating a relay. All my previous winch purchases included a relay but apparently not the case anymore. For now I ran it straight to the battery. Following to see what you come up with.

 

[akturbo]

My 12K Warn Evo is rated for 396 Max Amp Draw. Once you know the max amp you choose the relay, I added a 100Amp buffer. I have the relay hooked to an Aux switch.

Edit: Added photo of my dirty engine bay, I spent a lot of time trying to keep the rat nest of wires under control.

 

[MsPickles]

I had been looking for a while. I had one marked before, but the vendor had been out of stock for months, so I ended up getting the Warn one. It's a little more than some you can find on Amazon, but currently listed at ~$90. Says a year warranty for it. I like it. Has a hefty "clunk" when engaging. It does come with a 2ga battery to solenoid cable, so easy to connect up. I used the accessory switches that came with my Bronco. Just used switch #6, since I measured the pull when engaged, slightly below 1 amp of pull, so the 10 amp #6 switch rating is more than enough to supply the energizing circuit. I just used the yellow wire to extend the switch wiring at the firewall to the solenoid. Rocker switch it comes with, I have no use for, so can't comment on that. I left it engaged for over 30 minutes while I was testing it off my power supply, and it does get a bit warm by then, so I'd only have it energized when I pull the winch, and switch it back off after the pull. It is a solid metal body, so it feels very solid.

 

[Sledge]

I had been looking for a while. I had one marked before, but the vendor had been out of stock for months, so I ended up getting the Warn one. It's a little more than some you can find on Amazon, but currently listed at ~$90. Says a year warranty for it. I like it. Has a hefty "clunk" when engaging. It does come with a 2ga battery to solenoid cable, so easy to connect up. I used the accessory switches that came with my Bronco. Just used switch #6, since I measured the pull when engaged, slightly below 1 amp of pull, so the 10 amp #6 switch rating is more than enough to supply the energizing circuit. I just used the yellow wire to extend the switch wiring at the firewall to the solenoid. Rocker switch it comes with, I have no use for, so can't comment on that. I left it engaged for over 30 minutes while I was testing it off my power supply, and it does get a bit warm by then, so I'd only have it energized when I pull the winch, and switch it back off after the pull. It is a solid metal body, so it feels very solid.

I did exactly the same - works great.

 

[Squatch]

I have the Warn that @MsPickles does but I am thinking of dropping it in favor of the @akturbo solution because those are rated much higher. It has been a thinker and I'm sure this post was a lot of help, lol.

 

[Bronkers]

My 12K Warn Evo is rated for 396 Max Amp Draw. Once you know the max amp you choose the relay, I added a 100Amp buffer. I have the relay hooked to an Aux switch.

Edit: Added photo of my dirty engine bay, I spent a lot of time trying to keep the rat nest of wires under control.

Thank you! I'll be going this route also

 

[Mlarv]

My 12K Warn Evo is rated for 396 Max Amp Draw. Once you know the max amp you choose the relay, I added a 100Amp buffer. I have the relay hooked to an Aux switch.

Edit: Added photo of my dirty engine bay, I spent a lot of time trying to keep the rat nest of wires under control.

Thanks I saw this style while I was looking, just didn't understand the relay side of them. This has a picture of how to wire it as a relay. Now my old brain is happy because I understand. As for a dirty engine bay that is just part of the life style. Thanks

 

[da_jokker]

https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/threads/my-first-warn-product-garbage.67827/

 

[Mlarv]

My 12K Warn Evo is rated for 396 Max Amp Draw. Once you know the max amp you choose the relay, I added a 100Amp buffer. I have the relay hooked to an Aux switch.

Edit: Added photo of my dirty engine bay, I spent a lot of time trying to keep the rat nest of wires under control.

Where did you get the plate you mounted the relay to? Also what is mounted with it? I was looking for a clean space to mount it yesterday and really didn't see one. Thanks

 

[akturbo]

Where did you get the plate you mounted the relay to? Also what is mounted with it? I was looking for a clean space to mount it yesterday and really didn't see one. Thanks

The relocation bracket is from BAMF, Bay Area Metal Fab. There are holes for a relay on the plate, the relay I picked was too big to use their holes, the hood hit it. I just lowered the relay and made my own holes.

 

[PWillette]

Where did you get the plate you mounted the relay to? Also what is mounted with it? I was looking for a clean space to mount it yesterday and really didn't see one. Thanks

I ended up making my own small plate bracket from a scrap piece of 1/8" aluminum plate and bolted it to the front of the factory battery bracket. I'm guessing the relocation bracket in the photo is attached to this same location.

 

[Heavy_GD]

Just to pile on, I've run circuit breakers in line with a winch and they will over heat and "pop" at the worst times.

A starter solenoid like the one pictured is 100% the way to go. Make sure you protect the lugs with a terminal cover and a nice coat of grease so they wont get wet.

 

[da_jokker]

So the link to my post above shows more information, but just a toss in what I did..

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