Correct Way To Wire Warn Trailer Winch Up to Be Powered By Truck Battery

Question:

I was looking at your winch wiring packages I have a Warn 4000lb winch mounted to a trailer and want to power it with my truck battery with quick connects I was looking at other web sites and some of theres have a Selenoid with the wiring harness do I need it or can I wire it directly to my Battery yours show no selenoid I just want to do it the rigth way thanks

asked by: Phil S

Expert Reply:

Yes, I can guide you through the correct way to power your Warn 4000 lb winch by your vehicles battery. You will need to use the item you selected, Trailer and Vehicle Electric Winch Wiring Kit, part # BDW20207, which uses quick disconnects.

You can use the Tow Ready Battery Isolation Solenoid, part # TR118665, in-line with the positive battery cable to keep from draining power from the vehicle battery. Hooking up the winch with part # TR118665, would only allow the winch to be used when the vehicle ignition is turned on. It is not required to use a separate solenoid because the winch has a solenoid that disconnects power supply when the controls are not activated.

To wire in the winch, you will want to mount the vehicle side quick disconnect at the end of the power and ground wire. Then, run the short wire on the disconnect to a clean metal surface for a ground and then run the power wire to the battery avoiding areas where there is excessive heat. Connect the power wire to the positive terminal on the battery. If your winch came with a circuit breaker you will want to install it in-line with power wire before the battery. You will then need to run a ground connection from the negative battery terminal to the vehicles frame.

Now you can mount the trailer side quick disconnect and wire to the winch, the positive wire to the positive post on the winch and ground wire to ground post on the winch.

I have linked an FAQ that shows the ways to wire up an electric winch including wiring a winch to vehicle battery.

expert reply by: Reno H