Has anyone wired an in cab winch switch? I need help!

Howdy - finally got everything mounted and installed all that is left is to connect the wires. I drew the below diagram.

My main question is:

What are the three wires that come from the winch controller?
(I plugged in the controller and cut off the hand piece to expose the wires)

I assume:
green/white is power
Blue is out
Brown is in
(I determined this by taking apart the controller and looking at where the wires connected)

Does anyone have experience doing this or can tag someone that does?

 

I used to have in cab controls, it was nice. I used a 3 wire extension cord to run from the winch to the controls. I picked that because it was 3 wires, nicely packaged which made it easy on me. Like you've figured out, there's one hot +12v, and then depending on which other lead you touch it to sends the winch in or out.

I bought a SPDT momentary switch specifically for this purpose. I also added a toggle switch on the +12v so I couldn't accidentally bump the winch switch.

Wherever you decide to place the switch, you want it ergonomic. Somewhere your hand naturally rests. That way you can pay full attention to the recovery vs monkeying with the controls.

I did not add an extra relay like you have listed. My winch was hooked straight to the battery.

 

Use relays

 

@caribe makaira

 

Thanks for the feedback and advise. Good thought on making it ergonomic right now it’s in the center console but I might create a spot next to the prndl with that in mind.

Also thanks for confirming what the three wires are, makes more comfortable to start trial and error.

 

I just trial and errored which wire was which IIRC until I got it right. Nothing to short out so no concern there.

 

Lol like the “should I remove my sway bar thread” it seems we have 2 schools of thought. Thanks for the tip, better safe than sorry

 

Why would you want it like that tho? I've always found it better to be out front looking at what's going on and listening your winch working properly or having issues. Thats if you're going synthetic (I see you are), but if you ever went with a wire it would be very unsafe to winch from the cab, or anywhere near the cable.

 

Ahh good point it’s only going to go in or out no fuses to blow and I guess if the power isn’t connected right I’ll notice the winch activate in either direction.

 

Valid point, I installed a front camera to be sure I have a visual on the line and have an extra controller I can hook up in case it’s a funny situation. Good thought on listening to the winch I did not account for that

 

I’ve winched myself a lot and there hasn’t been a single time I’ve wanted to be out of the vehicle. Majority of the time you need to steer, provide throttle, etc. Even when winching someone else (I stay stationary) I want to be in there to raise the RPM’s and hold my foot on the brake.

 

Yeah, that's how I found out my last winch was taking a It would suck to think you have a fully functioning winch and then one day actually need it and have it break on you.

 

Yeah, there's been times I have to stay in the truck and hold the brakes while I radio out to the others to give it gas or ease off etc, but I don't always HAVE to be in there because I can only control it from in there.

Edit: It just seems like a significant amount of work for something that's going to limit you.

 

When wiring in controls like this, the normal remote still works so that’s still an option. I like these controls because it’s one less step to do, especially if I’m in a precarious situation where I stay in the truck and someone else is hooking up my winch for me

 

I mean the only step is taking out the remote from center console...and making sure you have an extra battery in there.

 

If you have a wireless remote then I agree that in cab controls aren’t really necessary. But when you have to plug it into the solenoid and run it up the hood and through a window, kinda a pain

 

Big pain, especially if you're if you have to climb out the window and you don't have @ALI3N_123 to deploy and do it for you

 

Agreed, the cab switch is really convenient for certain situations but sometimes you just gotta get out there. Since I have the extra remote if I need to I can unplug the cab harness and plug in the remote

 

Exactly, the versatility and not having to leave the truck is nice.

 

Wireless remote would be nice, I got this smittybuilt 9500 for $190 open box on Amazon. Crazy good deal