Winch isolation

[tony_j_dean]

I am trying to organise a winch isolation solenoid.
I like the idea of being able to isolate the winch from the cabin to stop unauthorised use and being able to turn it off if in the event of a emergency (jammed controlling solenoid).

I currently have the cable not connected to the + battery terminal. If I wish to use the winch I have to pop the bonnet and remove the battery cover and undo a bolt and replace and tighten it with the winch cable included. And the reverse when I am finished.

I don’t really want a manual one because I would still have to pop the bonnet. (Any isolation device would have to be as close to the +battery terminal as possible.)

I keep finding (goggle is my friend) in various forums suggestions that a 12 volt continuous service solenoid rated at about one or two hundred amps would do the trick.

www.devon4x4.com (http://www.devon4x4.com/) sell an albright solenoid ( SW80-384P for apx 40GBP) for exactly this purpose.
It’s a 12v continuous service solenoid rated to 800amp inrush and 120amp thereafter.
They say the winch controlling solenoids are rated at about 100 amps so it’s all cool.

Redarc recommend their SBI212 (apx $200aud on eBay)
600amp inrush and 200amp thereafter.

However, most winches, according to their supplied documentation, will draw between 0 through to 400 amps depending on the load.

The amps don’t seem to add up?

[Jojo]

It is a good idea to fit a switch and solenoid, in order to be able to cut off power supply to the winch. As for the rated ampereage, the ones you mentioned will do. The winch doesn't draw maximum amperes continuously, only for a rather short period of time. Remember that even WARN sells their removeable winch kits with Anderson connectors rated at 175 amp only.

[Blknight.aus]

the max potential amps draw at 12v for a 6hp electric motor (disregarding losses) is 375 amps....

Id strongly suggest a relay thats at least got a rating that can handle 400amps at a minimum of a 25% duty cycle (usually listed as the surge current)

[isuzurover]

the max potential amps draw at 12v for a 6hp electric motor (disregarding losses) is 375 amps....

Id strongly suggest a relay thats at least got a rating that can handle 400amps at a minimum of a 25% duty cycle (usually listed as the surge current)

Losses are non-trivial. Usually ~20% (winch motor alone).

If you have two batteries that will be sharing the job, and want to do it on the cheap, you can always fit one of those red cutout keys for each battery. They are usually rated at ~300A.

[tony_j_dean]

Thanks guys.
I think I may go for the Albright solenoid.
I think they(LandRover) fit them (to D2s) in the void in front of the radiator adjacent to the battery, and the switch goes under the instrument cluster on the left side of the steering wheel. That's what RAVE suggests anyway, but they didn't specify the solenoid rating.
Thanks again:)