[foreman03]

I'm have a 2003 foreman. i'm installing a warn rt25. does anyone know what wire to splice the mini-rocker switch into?

 

[mud99]

Welcome to the forums. Sorry I cant help with the winch but some one will be along to help.

 

[Pain]

You'll need to supply more information about the winch, because a winch will draw a huge amount of current and you just cant splice it into a wire without knowing more about the device.

If it's just a control circuit, you can get the power from any switch controlled circuit. If it's a power circuit you need, then you should run it from the battery.

DO NOT splice it into any wire and think you can draw enough power to run a winch!

 

[foreman03]

the installation guide states "splice the red 20ga. wire to a key controlled, fused, accessory circuit (power-point)" would that be similar to the 12v plug in on the side of the handle bar headlight?

 

[Saber6]

You could use that but Use a test light and find out if that only has power when the key is in the on position.

 

[foreman03]

Thanks for the help. i guess i'll try to find a test light now.

 

[Bickford]

for any winch i have installed ive always gone off the batter just because of the draw that take.

 

[Pain]

Sounds like he is hooking it up to the battery and using the switched circuit for the control wire. That's probably how most of them are made now, and is how mine is. The 20 gauge wire isn't enough to carry the current required for the winch so it's just for the switched control circuit.

 

[divedakota]

The wire you are referring to is the activation wire for the solinoid. I wire mine directly to the positive on the battery. This allows the winch to be operated without the key on. You need to be careful that someone does not operate the winch by playing with the switch though. Also make sure the engine is running when you operate the winch or you will be running the battery down in no time.

 

[Pain]

The wire you are referring to is the activation wire for the solinoid. I wire mine directly to the positive on the battery. This allows the winch to be operated without the key on. You need to be careful that someone does not operate the winch by playing with the switch though. Also make sure the engine is running when you operate the winch or you will be running the battery down in no time.

This begs the question, why wire it directly to the battery so it can be operated with the key off, if you suggest having the machine running while using the winch?

I know what you're saying, but still thought it was funny.

My winch has a master switch in the storage box, so the winch won't work unless you open the storage box and enable it. That way, you can't just hit the button on the handlebars accidentally and twist the cable into a knot.