Winch contactors/ relay

[CharlieNorth]

Question for those with experience in the newer winch controls,
Till recently I have run the original two relays that came with my Ramsey REP8000 when I purchaced it in 1989, they no longer go click-click, dang change in the road salt in recent years.
I am looking at the new style single unit contractors for the newer series wound motor, of the two I have in the image, which is preferred? I think the ratings are better on the right hand partially mounted one that has the isolation switch on it.

 

[shays4me]

I don’t know anything about the winch in question, but if the new “contactors” are in fact semiconductors and not relays I would definitely recommend them. No moving parts and they’ll work after sitting for a very long time which is my number one complaint with standard relays in a winch. Warn offers them now for their winches and I may look into upgrading my Warns in the future.

 

[CharlieNorth]

I don’t know anything about the winch in question, but if the new “contactors” are in fact semiconductors and not relays I would definitely recommend them. No moving parts and they’ll work after sitting for a very long time which is my number one complaint with standard relays in a winch. Warn offers them now for their winches and I may look into upgrading my Warns in the future.

Thank you,
This is on a Ramsey REP 8000, originally the old perm magnet motor but now series wound after the moment described here.
Many years back I had a relay engage while maneuvering to connect a trailer to a boat I was buying. This smoked the battery just as the sun was setting. Luckily there was a party around the corner and a guy walked over to look, brought his Jeep over a and started me. What a night, had to load the boat, paperwork then 3 hr drive home, low on gas. Turns out smoked the winch motor as well.
So electronic is fine for me, I am also installing a battery switch before the control as well.

 

[shays4me]

The switch is a good idea that I’ve been meaning to add myself. I’m an electrician by trade and know better but I’ve put it off.

 

[CharlieNorth]

I put it off and learned I should have it. No clue why this failure happens, I was simply shifting into reverse to back up, I kind of think I heard a growl which in retrospect was the motor trying to run in. Thinking back, the cable was wound on backwards which I did not recognize till I was installing the new motor. Be interesting had someone been following me while the cable ran out and back in. Guy at the party might have heard the winch as well, I did not recognize it was happening.

 

[4000lbsOfGoat]

I put it off and learned I should have it. No clue why this failure happens, I was simply shifting into reverse to back up, I kind of think I heard a growl which in retrospect was the motor trying to run in. Thinking back, the cable was wound on backwards which I did not recognize till I was installing the new motor. Be interesting had someone been following me while the cable ran out and back in. Guy at the party might have heard the winch as well, I did not recognize it was happening.

You may want to consider a circuit breaker rather than a straight switch so that you have protection while the winch is running as well.

 

[CharlieNorth]

I have an interest in a CB, I have not researched any yet. I run a jump cable connector up front as well and that should be protected to.

 

[4000lbsOfGoat]

I have an interest in a CB, I have not researched any yet. I run a jump cable connector up front as well and that should be protected to.

You may need something different depending on your winch but I use one of these for my ComeUp Seal 9.5. Although the winch is rated at 400 amps it doesn't require a breaker that large. The 200 amp breaker I linked to will allow 400 amps for about 30 seconds - in the unlikely event that the winch actually draws that much, it will only be momentary. That's what ComeUp told me anyway...

 

[CharlieNorth]

I like that, Provides me the manual isolation I desire with the safety of a breaker in one unit.
Thank you.
Great footer that you choose too.

 

[4000lbsOfGoat]

Great footer that you choose too.

Thanks! It's one of my favorite songs and felt particularly fitting in this context!

Cheers!