Thread: winch solenoids upgrades

I've just replaced my aging XD9000's 4 solenoids with a single unit and will also be fitting a wireless remote. The wired controller is still connected for backup.

Graeme how do you find it since you changed the solenoid? same old same or was there a noticeable difference ?

Originally Posted by madrangie

I have an old (over 20 years ) warn 8274 hi mount winch which needs new solenoids. I headed over to ARB today and was quoted $34 for each replacement unit. The guy told me about up grading to a contactor solenoid which is roughly the same price but better performance for the same dollars.
Has anyone done this conversion before ?
The only one i could find on ebay which sounded like what he was talking about is
12V HD Contactor Heavy Duty Solenoid Relay Wireless Remote Control Offroad Winch | eBay


My question. Is it worth it ?

I've done that. Also check out companies like Tigerz11 for these units. The quality unit however is the Albright unit. The advantage is that you gain remote control and you lose solinoids. The disadvantage is that you lose the anti-hotwire function on the plug for the wired hand controller. I packed it all into the original Warn box and wired it to use the standard Warn controller.

Pics at
http://www.slunnie.com/coppermine/th....php?album=154

Did the same when fitting my old 8000lb Warn low-mount winch to the rear of the 130, the old solenoids were cactus, bought one of the 1-piece units (without wireless), mounted it in the same housing and wired it to the same handpiece, works exactly the same as the other ones do when they're working. Seems to be the way to go now when your old solenoids die.

Thanks for the quick replies guys, I think i am going the way of one solenoid, Now for a replacement motor as the magnets in the housing are corroded ARB said it will need to be replace and quoted $420 for a new one.
Going to tried and clean the build up off tomorrow (wire brush). Tried degreaser no luck the previous owner tried to rebuild and used some type of copper base lube which has clumped everywhere, which has pitted the magnets on the housing. Armature looks to be ok a good clean with electrical cleaner and a toothbrush.

I did the same but mounted the solinoid near the wing top vent so it doesnt get drowned in muddy holes, i bought the two pack wirelees remote for $13 off ebay and its great and works a whole lot easier than a short cord, i installed a remote isolator switch in case others with the same set up can set it off[being cautious]

Originally Posted by madrangie

Thanks for the quick replies guys, I think i am going the way of one solenoid, Now for a replacement motor as the magnets in the housing are corroded ARB said it will need to be replace and quoted $420 for a new one.
Going to tried and clean the build up off tomorrow (wire brush). Tried degreaser no luck the previous owner tried to rebuild and used some type of copper base lube which has clumped everywhere, which has pitted the magnets on the housing. Armature looks to be ok a good clean with electrical cleaner and a toothbrush.

I'd be surprised if you actually need to buy a new motor.
I'm not sure how much similarity there is between the old high-mount winches and the later low-mount, but I had to do a bit of an overhaul on the X9 on the front of the 130 a while ago, it failed the first time I wanted to use it to pull a log off a track. The inside of the motor was a mess from water ingress and the brush housing was badly corroded (drain holes set-up incorrectly).
I cleaned it up (lots of solvent and scrubbing, gave the armature a skim in the lathe) and installed a new brush housing, used gasket paper to replace the rotten insulation under the brush housing. Now good as gold and a lot cheaper than a new motor (even a dodgy eBay one).

The Warn high and low mount winches are completely different but the motors are interchangeable and mechanically similar internally with end cap mechanics and dimensions being the biggest difference between the motor options