Smittybilt XRC8 Winch Controller

[Weekender41]

Hello Everyone
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Was out on Sevenmile Creek Trail the other weekend down by Rustic Colorado and the trail was more snow than I was ready to handle (long story), I found myself using my winch frequently that evening. At first the winch and controller worked flawlessly, towards the end of the day the winch controller would only work if I was pressing the connector straight down into the socket and holding the first 6" back from the connector vertically. After I got home and the weather warmed up I tried the winch controller again but had the same issue. Pretty sure the controller connector is ruined somehow. If I have the connector down and twisted in, I still have to press down and hold the line up to get it to work. Once I do all that the winch operates exactly how it should.
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I was curious if this is normal for the Smittybilt controllers to experience such issues and if there is a different style of controller/receptacle I could get to replace it? If not Ill have to stock up on winch controllers and that seems ridiculous haha.
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Thanks

 

[AFBronco235]

From what I understand, it is. The winches themselves are pretty good. The controllers on the other hand are not. I'm having to completely rebuild my control system, to include the relay. BTW, the stock relay is NOT water tight, or even water resistant. You should go ahead and check that out as well. I haven't found a good controller hookup yet, but I'm adding an in cab controller and a wireless controller anyways, so I'm not in any big hurry.

 

[bat]

If your going to take the relay apart by some dielectric grease and smear it all over the contacts in the relay and seal the box with RTV.

 

[Inyo_man]

Every rig I've wheeled with that has a Smittybilt winch has issues with the winch or controller when the winch is used over and over again in one day.
...be it snow, mud, or rocks.

Made in China…you get what you pay for…

Hope you can sort it out, good luck.

 

[MtnClimber]

I had an issue with the controller on my XRC8. Called the company, told them my issue and they asked for my mailing address. A few days later I had a new controller in the mail. I used the old controller wiring for my in-cab wiring harness for my in-cab winch controls from 12Volt Guy.

 

[AA1PR]

I had an issue with the controller on my XRC8. Called the company, told them my issue and they asked for my mailing address. A few days later I had a new controller in the mail. I used the old controller wiring for my in-cab wiring harness for my in-cab winch controls from 12Volt Guy.

Thats good to hear I just got the XRC 12K & hope I dont have this issue

but will check out the 12voltguy thanks

 

[Airmapper]

I'm working on an XRC8 controller box, and found while I was working on the pigtail (inside the box) one of the wires simply fell out of it's crimping.

This won't be a big deal as I'm re-wiring that bit already, but had I not been in there goofing with it, I'm sure it would have waited until one day when vibrations would have worked it loose when I needed it.

I'm definitely going to be going over all the wiring while I have it open. Looks like it's okay stuff, just put together shoddily, a little preventative maintenance should help.

 

[XJINTX]

Yep I had same issue(s) added in cab controls and can still use their remote but seldom need to. Just as an added feature with inside controls nobody can power or mess with your winch