Remote mounting a winch control box
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JustinB
New member
I did mine. The cables unbolted from the control box. Bought new battery cable off a spool (#2 ga I think), crimped on terminals, and was all set. You could just buy pre-made cables as well.
Not sure how much detail you're looking for so let me know if you want more.
Sent from my HTC 10 using Tapatalk
Not sure how much detail you're looking for so let me know if you want more.
Sent from my HTC 10 using Tapatalk
I did to. Don't really feel like posting pics. As they are in my build thread , link in my SIGNATURE. Check it out.
Same scenario, didn't want to cut up my grill. So I had some old wire laying around. I believe original wires are 4g. But I used a very very thick 4g , but no 4g crimp connector fit lmfao. So I needed to use a 2g crimp connector on a wire that said 4g. Anyway, simply extended it and that's it. Installed the solenoid box right next my battery. Simply because the positive wire is short and so is ground.
I highly recommend getting a good 2g or 4g welding lead wire. Which is very flexible so it makes it easier to work.
Same scenario, didn't want to cut up my grill. So I had some old wire laying around. I believe original wires are 4g. But I used a very very thick 4g , but no 4g crimp connector fit lmfao. So I needed to use a 2g crimp connector on a wire that said 4g. Anyway, simply extended it and that's it. Installed the solenoid box right next my battery. Simply because the positive wire is short and so is ground.
I highly recommend getting a good 2g or 4g welding lead wire. Which is very flexible so it makes it easier to work.
nevada
Senior Member
agreed.
this is what I did. though, I didn't remote mount my control box, I just upgraded the wires. I used 0, or 00 I cant remember now. but I noticed a marked increase in how well the winch worked. it was faster, and sounded better.
Bijan
New member
I go to re-install my winch today after extending the wires to remote mount the control box in a safer zone.
When I connected the last wire (positive power cable) for the winch, it just TURNS ON and starts spooling. WTF? Is there a chance I pinched something? Or could it be a shittybilt solenoid...?
When I connected the last wire (positive power cable) for the winch, it just TURNS ON and starts spooling. WTF? Is there a chance I pinched something? Or could it be a shittybilt solenoid...?
JustinB
New member
Sorry, I'm a bit confused: did you just move the control box by adding in some extended battery/welding cables, or did you have to add/extend actual wires (10-18 ga.)?
I'm not sure how the winch could be caused to actually turn on (in any direction, at all) if all you did was extend the main power from your battery to control box (with battery/welding cable), and again from the control box to the winch motor (again, with battery/welding cable). So I think I'm missing something, or this flu has me all discombobulated still and someone may be more qualified to sort this out at this time...
I'm not sure how the winch could be caused to actually turn on (in any direction, at all) if all you did was extend the main power from your battery to control box (with battery/welding cable), and again from the control box to the winch motor (again, with battery/welding cable). So I think I'm missing something, or this flu has me all discombobulated still and someone may be more qualified to sort this out at this time...
Bijan
New member
I'm baffled too.
Yes - all I did was extend the wires using 4g welding lead wire. As soon as the terminal touches the battery during the last part of install it sparks and turns on.
I called smittybilt- they said let it keep running and smack the solenoid with a small hammer / handle of a screwdriver.
Sean K.
New member
I also made new, longer cables for the winch control box...then I drilled two holes in the firewall and mounted it on the front side of the core support and bolted through to the backside of where the overflow tank sits via a special bracket.
I have the X20 Smittybilt 10K and it barely fit.
You might be able to see it in the pic here. I was going to take detailed ones....but forgot.
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You can barely make out the lower left corner of the box through the grill. Sorry it's not a better pic.
I have the X20 Smittybilt 10K and it barely fit.
You might be able to see it in the pic here. I was going to take detailed ones....but forgot.
You can barely make out the lower left corner of the box through the grill. Sorry it's not a better pic.
nevada
Senior Member
was that the first time it was ever powered on?
that's a bad deal. their advice is even worse. dangerous if its engaging itself.
any chance one of the wires is sticking out and hitting one of the solenoids or connections inside? I think I would pop the top off and take another look.
You simply extend all the thick wires. Like I said. I extended mine and it works fine. I recommend a fuse inline. You don't have to go 0g or 00g. Same size as original or one g thicker will be perfect. It to have smittybilt x2o. I regressed the whole inside and electrical grease all electrical components inside the selonoid.
Sean K.
New member
Depends on how much longer you're making the leads......you may need to upsize the gauge on the wire depending on distance.
Where to mount control box
I was going to mount the box next to the winch. But I want to make sure I can reach the control plug easily. But then I thought about deep water crossings. Has anyone mounted the solenoid high in the engine compartment? Also, why are we leaving the control plug outside the vehicle. What if I run some small control wires back through the firewall into the cab so I can avoid having the wire draped across the hood. If I need to operate the winch out side, I can still run the controller out the window. Iv never seen this done so I assume I am missing some important practical reason. Any advise? Also, lets not discuss wireless winch controllers. I get it but I'm not going to rely on some AA batteries for my vehicle recovery.
I was going to mount the box next to the winch. But I want to make sure I can reach the control plug easily. But then I thought about deep water crossings. Has anyone mounted the solenoid high in the engine compartment? Also, why are we leaving the control plug outside the vehicle. What if I run some small control wires back through the firewall into the cab so I can avoid having the wire draped across the hood. If I need to operate the winch out side, I can still run the controller out the window. Iv never seen this done so I assume I am missing some important practical reason. Any advise? Also, lets not discuss wireless winch controllers. I get it but I'm not going to rely on some AA batteries for my vehicle recovery.
