[N.E.T.O.]

Hey all,
2007 Rancher 420. Just got my winch and looks like the motor is going to be on the LEFT side of the machine. My main winch wires (goes from winch back to actuator) are BARELY long enough to reach if I route them along the left frame. I'd like to go along the right frame, but too short. My concern is that the exhaust is on the left side. Am I worrying for nothing? There are some other wires and components along that side of the frame and seem to be ok.
If the wires were longer, I'd just route along the right side...but then again, longer wires present problems of their own.

Of you guys out there with 420's...what side of the machine is your winch wiring on?
Thanks in advance!
Randy

 

[jeffnott]

mines on the left also. i followed the frame and just spaced out zip ties to keep wires from sagging. i've ran it hard all day and no problems and winch is fine

 

[Green]

My motor is also on the left side, but I ran the wires down the right side (Warn supplied wire). They were exacly long enough, but I had to be choosy how I ran them (which I couldn't begin to describe without photos). I would not recommend running your wires anywhere close to the exhaust. This isn't to say that you can't get away with it, it'll work, but after a while (depending on the type of insulation and the proximity to the exhaust), the heat can make the insulation brittle (if it does not melt it first).

 

[shadetree]

i don't own a 420..but..if i had no choice but to run the wires down that side..i'd one..make sure it was as far as posible from the ex..and two..i'd buy some wire loom protection...it's ribbed plastic..split down the length..it may save you from a melt down on your wires.

 

[Ruggybuggy]

Something else to consider, as the wiring gets "warmer" it increase it's resistance which won't let your winch perform as well on hot days.

 

[Green]

OP...you do have a choice...you can go to an auto parts store and buy some 6 or 8 gauge wire, then route it where you want to.

 

[N.E.T.O.]

Thanks for the replies. I've done automotive electrical systems for years and fully understand the principles behind more resistance with longer wires and also more resistance with hot (physically) wires. I went ahead and removed the winch wiring and tried to re-route it along the RIGHT side of the machine...and lo and behold...it fits! JUST BARELY though! I actually like the installation better not even considering the hot exhaust issue.
Now I can rest easy.

On a side note, doing post-install wiring and voltage checks, I found that both of my winch posts are hot all the time (12v) even when the machine is off. When the winch is in use, one of those gets GROUNDED (via the contactor) and makes the winch work. After double checking all my connections and such, I concluded that I had followed all the directions properly, and in fact, the winch is working fine and there is no draw when off...it's just that the two winch leads are hot all the time, which kind of made me nervous.

One call to Promark, and they assured me that although not problematic, and many other users have reported the same issue with no adverse affects, that they would send me another contactor that DID NOT have that "feature" if I desired. I did desire, and they are sending me a new one that won't be hot all the time.
I can't say enough good about the customer service at PRomark.

Randy

 

[Ruggybuggy]

I've got to check mine. I installed it a couple of months ago. Imagine if the wiring rubbed through.

 

[Pain]

If I were to guess, I would bet that only one of the wires was hot all the time, and with no current flow you were reading the 12v through the winch motor to the other lead. It may not be like that, but I would guess that.

If a wire wore through, you'd just blow the winch fuse/breaker [assuming it has one] so it's not really a problem, but I wouldn't like it hot all the time either.

 

[shadetree]

i would not like my winch hot all the time either..just think..if you sank it below water..would this not short it out ..and blow fuses ??..nope..i would want mine hot when i use the mini rocker switch.

 

[Pain]

if you sank it below water..would this not short it out ..and blow fuses ??

Probably not. It wouldn't short out any more than a battery would short out if submerged. Not an ideal situation, but probably not enough current draw to cause any type of safety risk. 12v isn't really enough potential to overcome the electrical resistance of water to any large degree.

 

[Helmut]

if you sank it below water..would this not short it out ..and blow fuses ??

Probably not. It wouldn't short out any more than a battery would short out if submerged. Not an ideal situation, but probably not enough current draw to cause any type of safety risk. 12v isn't really enough potential to overcome the electrical resistance of water to any large degree.

I agree. I've had 12 volts running to switches before, that got submerged underwater and it didn't blow a fuse or anything.

 

[Green]

Water itself wouldn't blow a fuse big enough to protect a winch motor, though corrosion caused by water could lead to a short circuit. FWIW, Warn does not supply or recommend the use of a fuse or circuit breaker on the motor circuit...I can't tell you why, but here's an email between myself and Warn customer service:

Hello,

I have an RT-25 winch installed on my 2009 Honda Rancher. Because of the tight mounting location, the power studs on the winch are very close to metal parts of the frame (though not touching). In order to protect the wiring for the winch and prevent a possible fire hazard, I would like to install a high-capacity circuit breaker on the battery cable feeding the contactor. Can you tell me what the average current draw is when the winch is under normal use? How about peak current at max rated load? Thanks.

Mike

---------------------------------------------------

Mike,

Although warn does not recommend adding a circuit breaker to the winch system, the max amp draw for the RT25 is 157 Amps.

Regards,

Kyle Pfenning- Customer Service Representative

WARN Industries| Toll Free 800.543.9276| F: 503.722.3000|