Electrical · January 2009
Electrical | How Tos | Safety
Winch Master Switch
I do not feel comfortable with a large, hot, hot unfused wire in the front bumper. The main power wire for the winch is just this. It is directly attached to the battery with no protection from a fuse. If a short were to happen with this feed wire it could easily start a fire. To protect this from happening I have added a master power switch to the winch locate close to the battery. I used a high amperage keyed battery cut off switch. There is about 1′ of wire between the switch and the battery routed so there is now risk of short. I leave the winch turned off and the key removed unless I am off road where I may need the winch for immediate vehicle recovery.
Great writeup. Your FJ is awesome. I really liked your trip reports too.
Where did you get the winch master switch? Also, where did you mount the winch controller box?
Thanks,
David
The master switch is a high amp battery switch with a key that can be removed. I think I purchased it at a local auto parts store. The Winch Solenoid is mounted in the bumper on the right hand side. Thanks for the kind words….
I have added a link to the switch at Amazon.com
how can that 50 amp switch work under a load winches draw alot more than that the switch you have can only be used for 10 seconds at a time over 50 amps
The switch is rates at 300 amps continuous and much higher momentary.
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