Power Winch Hookup

[TwoBallScrewBall]

Hi all,<br /><br />Finally want to get around to hooking up my electric winch. The plug that used to be on the top is missing. There are no plugs at all actually. I noticed that the 'real' winch plugs at boat/us must be made of gold because they're like $30 each. I'm cheap. What would be the best way, if any, to get this hooked up cheap? I can get some 10ga wire ran to the back bumper. Any way to do a clean install without spending like $60-80 on plugs and sockets??? I have a 7-wire trailer plug on the back of my truck, any way I could utilize this if I ran the 10ga right to it, then right from the trailer side plug to the winch?

 

[gewf631]

Re: Power Winch Hookup

I wouldn't use that 7-pin connector, as you'd be modifying it's true purpose...<br /><br />I found this nice summary here ...<br />

4-wire systems use a brown wire for tail, license, and side marker lights, yellow wire for left hand stop and turn, green wire for right hand stop and turn, and white wire for system ground.<br /> 5-wire systems provide all the color coded functions of the 4-pole systems plus an additional blue wire which may be used for Hydraulic disc brakes or auxiliary lights.<br /> 6-wire systems provide all the color-coded functions of the 4-pole systems plus two additional poles for 12-volt feed (red wire) and supply (blue wire) to Electric brake systems.<br /> 7-wire systems provide all the color-coded functions of the 6-pole systems plus an additional pole for interior/exterior lighting. 7-wire systems are most commonly found on RV & Cargo trailers.<br />

I'd scoot to my local home center, pick-up an inexpense coiled extension cord, then shoot over to Radio Shack and find some suitable plugs. Put it all together, weather-proof it, add a couple cable ties, and you'd be all set.

 

[ThomWV]

Re: Power Winch Hookup

Break out the wallet, because you simply are going to have to. I'll tell you how I wired mine and then I'll tell you some less expensive alternatives.<br /><br />First off the plug that goes into the Power Winch is specific to their products, so if you don't want cut a hole in the side of your winch for some sort of micky mouse attachement to the switch you're going to have to buy their plug.<br /><br />On my truck I have a cable run from one of the batterys to the rear bumper. The cable is #6 battery cable (apx. $30), it runs along the frame and is held in place every foot or so by zip ties. At the rear bumper, or at the hitch actually, I feed that line into the female side of a trolling motor plug that was made by Attwood ($8) that has a spring loaded cover. I have the male side of the Attwood trolling motor plug ($8) spliced into the standard Power Winch plug, the one you're going to have to buy.<br /><br />So when we get to the ramp I simply take out my connector with the trolling motor plug on one end and the Power Winch plug on the other end and plug it into the truck and winch and crank the boat on. Its always hooked up and ready to go. Now, here's the real upside to this plug on the back. If you want to you can use it to charge other batterys, or even to give a quick jump start.<br /><br />To do it for less money just buy the power winch plug, hook it up to a few feet of cable, and put a set of alligator clips on the end. You better make sure that is all heavy cable and heavy clips though because I have to tell you, any thin stuff is going to get real hot in a big hurry.<br /><br />Oh, if you think that plug was expensive you should see what the switch cost when it goes bad. I had to replace mine last month (had to hot wire it at the ramp). Fifty Five bucks for that bad boy.<br /><br />Thom

 

[TwoBallScrewBall]

Re: Power Winch Hookup

The trolling motor plugs sound like an idea. I think what I might do is hardwire the winch, put maybe a 6 foot wire soldered directly to the winch with a trolling motor plug on the end, attached to the truck like you have it. When I'm sone I'll coil up the winch cable on the trailer. <br /><br />Maybe I'll just keep on cranking....