Winch Control Pack change

Bought a used Warn 9.5 XP winch. It is a complete unit with steel rope, control pack and wired remote. I'm doing some upgrades and one I wish to do is replace the 4-solenoid control pack with one of the newer integrated control packs.

Warn produces their own control pack for their newer units, such as:

$112 WARN 98381 Service Kit - Winch Contactor

Amazon.com: WARN 98381 Service Kit - Winch Contactor : Automotive at ~$95

I'm wondering if anyone has any experience with the Amazon less expensive units available, such as:

$33 12V 500 AMP Unversal Winch Solenoid Relay Contactor For HEAVY DUTY UPGRADE ALBRIGHT EQUIV

Amazon.com: 12V 500 AMP Unversal Winch Solenoid Relay Contactor For HEAVY DUTY UPGRADE ALBRIGHT EQUIV : Automotive at ~$35

I have also completely taken apart the unit and removed all the old grease and regreased. Will be installing synthetic rope as well.

 

while maybe 25% of the warn is branding markup, the rest is likely going go towards better materials in the product. the Amazon one likely cuts some corners in the metals used, likely also more lax qc process.

it really depends on how much you end up using it. if you plan on using it nearly every day for hours at a time, the warn will be a better option. if you're only going to use it occasionally, the amazon one is likely going to work just fine.

 

I second this. Also worth considering is your need for the winch to operate? Do you go out by yourself and absolutely need the winch to work? Or do you ho out in groups with backup recovery options?

My guess is that water intrusion and corrosion could be a risk of the cheaper unit.

 

Thanks all. Original factory is usually best, but sometimes aftermarket is adequate. I was looking for experience with the cheaper option. Went ahead and ordered the Warn. Do lots of trail winching moving trees.

 

it's a different design, but if it helps at all, this is the unit included with the harbor freight winches.




i took it apart for my own curiosity, and it's fully sealed with a silicone gasket, which means it shouldn't ever dryrot like a rubber o-ring would do.

 

Thanks, I always like to look inside things too. Looks to be pretty similar to both the Warn and the other after-market controllers.