Winches help you pull heavy objects for example your truck if it is stuck in the mud. You can mount this winch to either the back or to the front of your vehicle. The next step of installing a winch is to wire it. In this article we will help you learn how to wire a winch.
Mounting a Winch
The first part of winch installation involves mounting the winch onto the vehicle or object. This means inserting the winch on the vehicle for use. We have already discussed mounting in detail in a previous article so we will not be discussing it again. You can look at our article on “How to mount a winch?” to learn about it.
Our Top Mount Winch
Tools Needed for Wiring a Winch
In order to properly wire a winch to a truck, you need to have the right tools to do it. Following are the tools that you will need for wiring a winch on a 4-wheeler:
- Winch line
- Fairlead
- Mounting hardware
- Fasteners such as screws
- Battery
- Electrical cables
- Remote
Winch Wiring Detailed Guide With Procedure
Winch wires are color-coded to help you identify each wire according to its function. The earth cables have to be placed on top of the bull bars. To wire a winch to a battery, you have to attach the negative wire to its partner. After that, repeat the process for the positive wire. It is also okay to connect the battery with the positive wire. The battery will help provide the power required for running the winch.
Single-battery Winch Wiring
Let’s begin by discussing how to wire a winch to a battery. This process can be used for average power winching where the vehicle or the winch do not put in too much pressure. The battery to be used should have a minimum current of 440A to 650A. Follow the steps below to wire a winch to a battery.
- Begin by placing the B red jacket of the short red cable on the B socket of the motor.
- Next, place the C yellow jacket of the short black cable on the C socket of the motor.
- Repeat this process for the B black jacket and the short black cable as well as the A cable which will go into the A slot placed below the motor.
- The negative black cable has to be attached with the A slot on the motor.
- The other end of this cable has to be put into the negative slot of the battery.
- The positive slot of the battery is for the red positive cable.
How to Wire a Winch to a Trailer
Now we will move on to the process of wiring a winch to a trailer. This process can be used for wiring a winch to any four-wheeler. The battery and power requirements for this process are similar to those mentioned above. Follow the steps below to complete this process with ease.
- We will begin by properly connecting the cables to the rear of the trailer.
- The quick disconnect needs to be placed next to the short ground cable and the power cable.
- You have to put the quick disconnect’s short cable into the frame portion of the vehicle.
- The wire should pass through the engine compartment. Pull on it to adjust it.
- Next, you have to connect all the cables below the hood.
- The solenoid’s battery portion will be connected with the circuit breaker.
- This battery can then be placed on an empty spot on the frame of the trailer.
- The rest of the cables will be connected in the same way as the single-battery wiring procedure.
How to Wire a Winch Without a Solenoid
- First of all, you need to use a wiring diagram of the winch solenoid.
- Next, you have to put your winch into free spool mode. Make sure your winch does not have any load before you do this step. You can engage this mode by turning the knob on the winch.
- After that you have to disconnect the terminals. Begin with the positive lead. The grounded lead, however, should be left engaged. The cables can be disconnected using spanners or pliers. Label the cables in order to prevent any confusion. The posts near the motor should be labeled: A, F1 and F2.
- Now, you will connect the jumper wire. For this you will need a cable which is between 5 to 6 inches. The cable should be passed from A to F1 and then using F2, it should be connected to the battery. The motor of the winch will begin running in one direction after this process has been completed.
- Finally, for running the motor in the other direction, you can pass the wire from A to F2 and then use F1 to connect it to the battery.
Conclusion:
If you own a winch, it is important to learn the wiring process. We hope this article helped you understand how to wire a winch. Make sure you follow the security protocols and follow the steps properly to get the best results. If you are stuck somewhere, you can always contact us and we would surely help you out.
FAQ:
1. How to wire a winch to an ATV?
Answer: The process for wiring a winch to an ATV is similar to the process of wiring it to a trailer which is described above.
2. Can you wire a winch straight to a battery?
Answer: If the connections of the winch are long enough, they can be connected directly to the battery.
3. Will my winch drain my battery?
Answer: The winch will only use your battery while it is operating which is for a very short period. Otherwise, it will not drain the battery.