So I ordered my winch tonight and would really like to have an on Off Switch inside the jeep for the winch. I already have the switch installed but have NO CLUE on how to wire it up, could someone fill me in on all the details??
-david

 

i just wired mine strait into the battery, red pos, black ground, i dont know why you'd need a switch as you can only use it when you have the control engaged. or am i missing some thing here?

 

Your winch should have more than just an on-off switch. You should also have a switch for whether you're winching in or out. The winch should come with a remote that plugs into the winch (though wireless models exist). That remote should be on a sufficiently long cable to allow you to sit in the Jeep and run the winch. That's the standard, and safe, way to operate a winch (the windshield protects you should the cable break; everyone else stands back for their own protection).

I seem to recall a long time ago someone actually wired all of the controls for his winch into his dash/vehicle interior. I never could figure out why (not that that matters). I'd be surprised if you can do that with just switches--there are likely a few minor (but necessary!) electronic components inside of that remote control housing. If you still want to do it, I'd suggest contacting the winch manufacturer for details about their remote.

Final thought: If all you want to do is wire in a master power on/off switch, be aware that the winch draws considerable current. You will not want to run those wires into the vehicle, and a switch that handled that current would be pretty large. So, you're looking at a very, very heavy duty relay. We're talking more current than your starter motor uses, so a starter solenoid may even be too light duty for this task.

 

I know that if you google "12 volt guy" he has several diagrams for wiring up a winch to inside the cab if you want just an on/off, or in/out.

 

I am assuming you want a switch in the Jeep to keep unauthorized use of the winch from occurring. Warn makes a kit for about $70. This does not allow you to power it in/out, only to keep it from having power to it when the switch is off. Northridge sells the kit. I have one on my rear winch as a safety.

 

Like this?

 

this is what i did easy under the hood keyd cut off switch

 

Sorry Its been so long but yes I just want an on off for unathorized use, Not nessacarliy an in out switch tho, i can do that with the remote from inside. I already have the switch installed I just need to find a way to use a switch that has 16gauge wires off it to connect to the 4guage that the winch lines are

 

You are going to want to use a setup similar to what Warn offers for their power intterupt switch with a heavy duty solenoid. I am sure you could use a different switch, but it will keep the heavier gauge wires from frying a switch that has 16 gauge wire.

 

I think a may go the same route of a fellow member who added controls as well with a monmentary 3 way switch as well as an on off switch. I figured I could do the same with the switch at least. https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/show...winch+controls