Winch question

Do I need an in-line power switch for my winch? I’ve got the positive lead ran straight to the battery. Wondering if I need to put a switch on it in case of a parasite drain. Thanks

 

I have the positive lead running straight to my battery for about a year, never had any issues. I’d say you’re fine

 

Thanks. Was just wondering

 

I have mine wired to the battery, there should be a switch on your winch. Never had an issue with mine.

 

I don’t think my winch has a switch on it except for the wireless feature. It’s completely hidden in my bumper So no access. That’s why I was wondering about a switch under the hood at the battery. I have 10k smittybilt

 

I have a Smitty 12k, there is a switch on the side of the control box. Some members on here relocate the control box up under the hood. You could put a switch up top if you can't get to the one on the control box. I always leave mine off till I'm ready to use it.

 

Thanks. I’ll recheck mine tomorrow. I could only move my control box to the side of my winch(no more cable length). I’ve had it hooked up for a few weeks now but was just being safe. Had a dead battery and want to eliminate any possible drain.

 

It’s best to have a cut-off for your winch so if you get in an accident, or somehow it powers up, it doesn’t eat itself (if the hook is attached to the bumper, so it doesn’t destroy the bumper). Most do it with a ~450A breaker type switch or HD cut-off. I’ve done it straight to the battery and with a cut-off. If you have it straight to the battery, make sure you keep it in free spool mode. As far as parasitic drain, no concerns there.

 

Thanks for the info. I’ve been doing some research and found that leaving the winch on “ wireless” mode could cause a drain. I think that’s my problem. Since I can’t reach my winch I’ve kept it in wireless the entire time.

 

Gotcha. I’m not familiar with that aspect.

 

As @The Patriot 1776 said, be aware of your winch and it’s wiring. There are stories of hooligans going up to trucks with older warn winches and jumping the controller pins (only 3 of them so not hard to do) leading to the winch motor burning up. Gotta be careful because your truck can burn to the ground

 

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