by Die Judicii » 07 Dec 2016, 6:22 pm
Yes,, agreed, isolate the positive feed to the winch.
Best place is wherever it is NOT accessible to naughty people.
But in saying that, if at all possible put it where you can get to it quickly and easily in case of a winch control solenoid sticking.
If that ever happens as you are winching in, and you cant isolate it quickly, it could get messy.
I use one of those that have the plastic key.
I attach the key to swing nearby on a stainless fishing trace so it never gets lost.
I also use a 2" long piece of heater hose that is a firm push fit over the dome where the key is inserted.
Plug one end of the hose with silicone, and it works a treat by keeping moisture out of the switch itself.
Also seal the flanges where the switch was assembled.
I found that before I started doing that, the moisture that was allowed in would corrode the contact plates, and the next time you needed the winch,, it couldnt get power.
Since keeping the "hose plug" pushed on when not using the winch, I have had the one isolation switch for approx eight years and its still reliable.
Before that,,, I found that they either failed completely or were unreliable after only 12 months or sometimes less.
I do not fear death itself... Only its inopportune timing!
I've come to realize that,,,,, the two most loving, loyal, and trustworthy females in my entire life were both canines.