Winch solenoid location - Defender ?

[VladTepes]

Getting some leccy work done tomorrow, so figured I'd get him to wire the winch in as well.

The winch isn't mounted yet but I figure I'd be able to get him to run everything through to the solenoid, then all I'd need to do is run cable from the solenoid to the winch.

So - where's the best / easiest place to mount the winch solenoid?

(Note, I'll be running an in-cab switch for winch in / winch out)

Thanks

[VladTepes]

Anyone? There must be heaps of people out there able to answer this !

[Toxic_Avenger]

I wish to know too!
So if you are not answering and you know, DO IT!

You could be in the running to win over 9000 internets!
:banana:

[lr110qld]

Close to the winch motor to reduce the voltage drop, i.e. the current path length.

If you look at the current path it travels several times between the motor and winch for any direction of winch rotation.

[2stroke]

When I installed my winch I wanted to mount the solenoid pack in a better position too but there was nowhere better than above the winch. I did make up some bracketry to get it all as low as possible so as not to obstruct airflow any more than necessary. You can mount the solenoids wherever you like but there's no point putting it anywhere that makes the cables longer.

[VladTepes]

I've hear that behind the headlight is a common place?
Is that any good - perhaps behind pax side headlight?

[2stroke]

Just consider cable length and accessibility. Mine was a cheap old Thomas unit and didn't come with cabling etc, also the old solenoids gave trouble and were soon replaced with the single Ebay type. I guess mounting it behind a light is okay if you have a remote plug for the control or position it so you can plug into it without too much fuss. Dash mounted switches are a pain when you want to run the cable back on when you're done winching.

[Felix]

Straight on top of the winch motor. Otherwise you'll get unnecessary voltage drop and your cables will run hot from the extra current draw. Get a sealed contactor instead of those rubbish solenoids too.

The winch when free running doesn't actually draw that much current, it's when it initially starts and when it is under load- especially heavy load. That's when you want max voltage at the motor otherwise you'll be burning windings and brushes/commutator.

Running the solenoids directly ontop of the motor allows you to just run 2 large cables to it from the battery under the seat. I'd recommend no smaller than 50mm^2 flex due to the cable length. And then you can have an isolator in the battery box so noone can fiddle with the winch when you aren't there.

[Reads90]

On my winch challenge defender , I used to put it behind the headlight.

Protected it from mud and water and crap

Plenty of space behind there and if you have a remote switch you don't kneed to get to it.
I did take the plug out of the warn cover and mounted it by the headlight so I could still connect the winch control with the old cable and controller , if I wanted to be at the front of the car and control the winch.

[VladTepes]

Winch I bought doesnt have any remote or cabled controller just set up for in cab switching.
its a magnum 9k

There's no labels on the solenoid to say what wires go where though.

[redrovertdi]

I use the single ebay solinoid and its mounted under the drivers side wing top vent so it is easily accessible[if it fails i can cross the terminals with a screw driver or hot wire], also use a cordless remote.

[alien]

I was told by a fellow member he has moved his solenoid pack to behind the right hand head lamp.
I was going to look at it but time got away on us.
With the washer bottle behind the left lamp there is little room there.


I'm going to look at behind the right head lamp on mine when the parts arrive.
I've got a remote coming with mine so access is only a back up plan.
I'm hoping to mount it and a pair of relay's from Traxside on a single plate in there.

[Toxic_Avenger]

I use the single ebay solinoid and its mounted under the drivers side wing top vent so it is easily accessible[if it fails i can cross the terminals with a screw driver or hot wire], also use a cordless remote.

I have not yet disassembled the wheel arch on my puma, but it appears to be plastic. Is this correct? and if so, is there braces under the wing which can be used to attach said solenoid?

My goal is to have solenoid box out of the way, and run the winch on the wireless controller primarily, with the whole lot isolated with a big mofo switch in the engine bay somewhere.

[ozy013]

I use the single ebay solinoid and its mounted under the drivers side wing top vent so it is easily accessible[if it fails i can cross the terminals with a screw driver or hot wire], also use a cordless remote.

As redrovertdi said, mine is also under the drivers side wing top vent. I did look at behind the right hand headlight, and there is room...but I decided to run the cable, which I upgraded to 50mm2, that little extra distance.

The wireless remote is also mounted alongside the solenoid. With an in cab switch for extra piece of mind.


Ideally short cable runs are the way to go, but my original solenoid, mounted in the usual spot above the winch motor, was badly corroded. Hence the change of location.


So far the winch has performed faultlessly, I haven't had to recover myself....YET!.... But I have placed plenty of load on it removing trees from tracks. None of the cables were overly warm, the winch has since been stripped down, cleaned and re greased. Both motor and gears are fine. Oh yeah it's an el cheapo Tigerz 11 12000lb.

[Rurover]

Vlad,

This works for me on an ARB Bullbar, with el-cheapo Chinese winch and solenoid box.

Alan

[VladTepes]

The other thing I need is a wiring diagram as I don't have one so no idea what hooks up to where.

[Rurover]

Vlad,

Try this link. WINCHES: Rebuilding, Parts Information, Diagrams, Testing Sites (http://www.frontrange4x4.com/forums/showthread.php?2134-WINCHES-Rebuilding-Parts-Information-Diagrams-Testing-Sites)

May have what you require...assuming of course that most winches have a similar wiring diagram.

Here's another that may be useful... Winch Circuits - Wiring (http://www.4wdadventurers.com/showthread.php?1595-Winch-Circuits-Wiring)

Good luck,

Alan