Warn powerplant

[Stumpalump]

Does anybody have Warn Powerplant 9.5k winch? How good is the compressor and how well does it pull. I found a deal on one and want to put it on my E350 4x4 van. I know it's a little small.
Any opinions on that winch?
http://www.warn.com/truck/winches/powerplant_hp.shtml

 

[Scott Brady]

Warn makes many high-quality products - the PowerPlant is not one of them. . .

I have personally witnessed two of these units fail in the field. It just doesn't make sense to pull 150 amps to drive a 4cfm compressor.

Get a nice 12,000lb winch for the van and an ExtremeAire compressor - that is my recommendation

 

[dsy]

Warn makes many high-quality products - the PowerPlant is not one of them. . .

I have personally witnessed two of these units fail in the field. It just doesn't make sense to pull 150 amps to drive a 4cfm compressor.

Boy that’s a little harsh isn’t it? I had a failure with mine not long after I got it when they first came out. Turned out the early models had a faulty thermal switch which Warn over-nighted to me when I called them. Was a easy replacement and the unit has been perfect ever since. I have the compressor plumbed into a 2 ½ gal tank and use it often. Over all I’ve been very happy with mine. Also I think they are rated at 5cfm @ 90 psi
Doug

 

[Scott Brady]

Boy that’s a little harsh isn’t it?

Unfortunately, yes. Winches are safety devices, which is why I am so critical of the cheap Chinese models and this particular Warn model. I have only seen three powerplants used in the field and two of them failed. That is worth warning others of IMHO. . .

I am a huge fan of Warn, and currently use their winches in all of my vehicles. I have won major international competitions with their winches. I just believe that other models should be considered, than the PowerPlant.

 

[dsy]

I have to admit I was more than a little miffed when mine stopped working in the middle of a pull with a new winch. After calling Warn tech support and getting apologies about the cheap switch, and the new improved one overnighted I settled down. Its been about two years now without any other problems. Guess I'll keep my fingers crossed
Doug

 

[Bad Karma]

I dont really care if the Compressor is really good or if the winch is really good either. I've never been a fan of combining 2 things into 1 big unit. If one of them completly fails, (not repairable) you have to replace both. I would get a good winch and get a good engine driven compressor. (which is what i did)
My buddy has one on his YJ. Its not that old. Alot of the bolts and a few other things are totally rusted. Yes its outside, but it should be MADE to handle being outside!! esspecially for the price of one.

 

[sasaholic]

i was talking about this with an actal warn dealer in town last week and he said they arent up to par or even close to the other warn products, but what he did say was there is some kind of cap or something that u have to pull off before use and most dont read the directions and do so and is caused the winch to fail. i didnt really pay to close attention to what is was, but just thought id let u know a warn DEALERS opinion on them. me personally, ill stick with my huge bulky and heavy 8274.

 

[brasskey]

i was talking about this with an actal warn dealer in town last week and he said they arent up to par or even close to the other warn products, but what he did say was there is some kind of cap or something that u have to pull off before use and most dont read the directions and do so and is caused the winch to fail. i didnt really pay to close attention to what is was, but just thought id let u know a warn DEALERS opinion on them. me personally, ill stick with my huge bulky and heavy 8274.

Not sure where this cap is and why it would cause the winch to fail. Please enlighten me.

I'm sure it depends on what Warn (authorized) dealer you speak to. I did a lot of research and every dealer I spoke to had mostly positives things to say and none said they wouldn't recommend it. Of course keep in mind they're dealers and trying to make a buck so some may not be as honest as others but I don't believe they were all dishonest. I knew the negatives of the winches but I got a great deal on a used/demo unit so I couldn't pass it up.



I have had the HD (12,000) for a few years and love it. I plan on installing an an additional auxiliary tank but haven't gotten around to it. The compressor does everything I need it too but an additional tank wouldn't hurt. I've used the winch more often than the compressor. Never had a problem. I installed a synthetic line when I first bought the unit. For the more hard core expeditioner or off-roader, this may not be for them. It's obviously not for everyone. But, I love it.

 

[Scott Brady]

Never had a problem. I installed a synthetic line when I first bought the unit. For the more hard core expeditioner or off-roader, this may not be for them. It's obviously not for everyone. But, I love it.

This is good feedback. Thanks

 

[sasaholic]

Not sure where this cap is and why it would cause the winch to fail. Please enlighten me.

I'm sure it depends on what Warn (authorized) dealer you speak to. I did a lot of research and every dealer I spoke to had mostly positives things to say and none said they wouldn't recommend it. Of course keep in mind they're dealers and trying to make a buck so some may not be as honest as others but I don't believe they were all dishonest. I knew the negatives of the winches but I got a great deal on a used/demo unit so I couldn't pass it up.



I have had the HD (12,000) for a few years and love it. I plan on installing an an additional auxiliary tank but haven't gotten around to it. The compressor does everything I need it too but an additional tank wouldn't hurt. I've used the winch more often than the compressor. Never had a problem. I installed a synthetic line when I first bought the unit. For the more hard core expeditioner or off-roader, this may not be for them. It's obviously not for everyone. But, I love it.

i dont know what the cap was i wasnt paying that close attention, but its on the right hand side when you looking at the winch mounted. i think its something on the compressor that u have to uncap when ur winching or it will cause problems. its not really the winches problem its the users that didnt read the direction.

 

[jeepdreamer]

My thoughts...

Mostly just rehashing others here based on my own history. Warn has alwasy made an outstanding product. The 8274 has got to be the best design of all time. They work, are fast, have great line speed and even bigger/extra length cable. They are fully rebuildable and can be often found used for 500 bucks or less.
The idea of incorperating a compressor into a winch seems novel. And while I can understand having it all under one location I would never go that route.
Like the TVs of old that had vhs or dvd players built in, one fails and now you either have to settle for a downgraded half system or send the entire thing in to be serviced.
I would suggest buy the best winch you can afford if you plan to go out alone. Or look online for a good deal on a used one that is quality. They ARE out there. Invest in some other winching accessories that will help with self recovery and allow you to be safe.
You can then look into some form of OBA. Weather you spend the $$ on a bolt on, engine driven compressor or just get a el cheapo Harbor freight battery powered one...At least it is a start. You can usually survive without OBA...but once your stuck a quality winch is not only your backs best friend but may be a life saver. OBA is a nice extra to have eventually but it has only been in the last 5-8 years that I have felt it more a requirement for my needs. Between small gas stations forgetting that air was part of customer service and the fact that I wheel harder now and always am lowereing tire pressures, OBA for me is more justifiable.

 

[JPK]

I have had a Warn PowerPlant on my LJ for four years and it has provided flawless service everytime required.

I find the combined winch/air compressor to a be a great idea, but someone who airs up and down frequently might find a seperate system, faster pump and a tank a better option.

The cover that is supposed to be removed prior to winch use is the rubber "hood" over the air compressor QD fitting on the right side of the winch when you are looking at it. I haven't read the manual in a while, but iirc, if you do not rmove the "hood" you risk overheating the motor, also, iirc if the hood is a tight enough fit I think the motor can stall when sufficient pressure has been reached.

I wonder how many failures were winch failures and how many were opperator failures.

My new JK's AEV bumper won't accomodate a PowerPlant, or so I was told, so a 9.5xti (?) is on the front. Still looking for a pump worth a darn that will fit well and survive somewhere between the frame rails. There in no room in the engine compartment. The compressor needs to be up to pumping up six 37x12.5's, for on my Jeep and two on my M101.

JPK

 

[Nonimouse]

Warn makes many high-quality products - the PowerPlant is not one of them. . .

Coffee/Keyboard interphase

Thanks for that, that will keep me laughing in the bad times ahead.

Never could see the point. For a start it's over priced (like most Warn stuff I will admit); and don't start giving me the Warn Vs Cheap Chinese Cr*p Mr B; the bulk of Warn sales are low line models like the HS, XD and M. There gearboxes and driveshafts are scarey in thier feebility compared to most of the RoW stuff.
Back to the main question. A decent double pumper from Viar (or it's Taiwanese manufaturing base) will last forever and beat the socks of the warn - all for $120 or so. An EP12 or even better a TDS 12 will cost less than half what the warn will and both have no issues with synthetic rope.
A TDS 9.5 will pull the socks off the Powerplant and use half the juice doing it (well not quite half but a hell of a lot less).

Rant over and back to laughing