Does The ComeUp Seal Gen2 Winch Require An In-Line Fuse  

Question:

Helpful Expert Reply:

The ComeUp Seal Gen2 Integrated Off-Road Winch - Wireless Remote - Synthetic Rope, Hawse Fairlead - 9.5K # CU295885 does not require an in-line fuse when wiring it to your vehicle's battery. The gauge of the wire is heavy enough to handle the output of the battery without being damaged and this winch has an internal contactor that will function as a fuse to protect the motor as a fail safe.

A contactor is installed to provide the same function as a switch or circuit breaker, but has a completely different operating principle. When you move a switch or a circuit breaker into the closed position and then stop, the switch or circuit breaker will stay in that position. If the person who moves the switch isn’t present, or the system that sends the open signal to the breaker stops working, the switch and circuit breaker will stay closed until they either melt down or are opened by some other means. A contactor is held closed by an energized coil. If something happens to the power supply controlling a contactor, the contactor will immediately open. This is called a fail-safe system because if something unexpected goes wrong with the control circuit, the contactor will open and the system will be “safe”. If something happens to the control circuit of a circuit breaker, it will stay in whatever position it was before the problem, which may not be a “safe condition”. Contactors are typically used in motor applications to protect the motor, or the process the motor is used to operate, when something happens to the control system.

In the event that your contactor is damaged you can replace it with the ComeUp Sealed Contactor for DV and Seal Series Winches - 12V # CU881355.

expert reply by: Kevin C

1