Winch question?

[Tim Keiper]

I have a Yamaha Timberwolf 4x4 250. I want to put a winch on it, but just wondering if the charging system will handle it or not ? Has anyone added one to their machine and have you had any issues?

[Gwbarm]

No problem at all. Depending on what size winch you get, larger uses more battery power, but its not on all the time so battery gets charged back up after you use it. I would probably go for a small one 2500 or 3500, Timberwolfe is not that heavy.

[Tim Keiper]

Thank you.  I'm using a small ATV winch that came from HF that I have laying around, figured I should put it to use.

[Mech]

 As long as you leave the engine running and stop winching if the winch starts to get slow it should work, but if you do it often, or let the winch struggle going slow, you may overwork the charging windings and make them too hot so the varnish melts and they burn out. Drawing a lot of power out of the charging windings, for prolong periods of time, isn't good for them. Short winches  and keeping the battery well charged should be ok though.

[MagnoliaHunter]

On 4/20/2025 at 11:16 AM, Tim Keiper said:

Thank you.  I'm using a small ATV winch that came from HF that I have laying around, figured I should put it to use.

if you have room put a bigger battery in it.  never run your winch for more than 15-20 seconds at a time under heavy load, look up duty cycle.  run it out and  back in once a month or so. it's better electric motors to run than to sit unused.

[Mech]

All excellent advice Magnolia..

[FlawleZ31]

Used to run a 2500 lb badlands winch on my old 2x4 timberwolf. Worked well. Plan to add another to my 4x4 timberwolf.

[jen]

Also wanting a winch..is the 'wireless' control better than the hard wired control?

[jen]

I am sorry but another stupid question.  Is the poly rope wench better or as good as  the steel cable wench?  I would be using the wench to get out of a stuck situation and to pull brush.

 

[FlawleZ31]

18 hours ago, jen said:

I am sorry but another stupid question.  Is the poly rope wench better or as good as  the steel cable wench?  I would be using the wench to get out of a stuck situation and to pull brush.

 

Wireless control is a nice feature but not required. I like having both on my winches just in case the wireless control battery is dead or you lose the control altogether. The wireless does enable you to move to a more optimum location at times which can help with safety.  As far as the synthetic ropes go, they're generally taken as superior. They're lighter, just as or stronger, won't rust or fray. Make sure you use the proper fairlead for synthetic rope.

[jen]

Thanks still shopping...BAdlands is popular...Looking at Wal Mart....( I have Wal mart stock)  LOL.  

Also I want a front receiver hitch for my 700 viking SXS..some of the wenches...winches come with mounts.

[jen]

This is an old Harbor freight 1.5K lb wench that still works.  Control went South so cable control. 

I like the smaller wenches as they are easy for me to manhandle   ( where did that term come from?)   

It aint pretty but it works.

[jen]

I found a simple Forward /Reverse switch that I can use to control my old winch.. The 1500 lb wench only  draws abot 20 aps max. according to internet.   I  Could not measure amperage as my Fuke meter is fused at 10 amps.  Im Grunde, i found a Manual switch used for Dump truck tarps and 12 vdc wenches rated at 50 amps .   Less than $30 amazon.   

I like KISS.

[WeeBee]

sounds like youre on the right track, I Haven't had to use a switch a switch of this type so am unable to offer any ideas or suggestions .

 

 

 

 

 

 

[jen]

I have some 40 amp  two pole disconnect connectors i will use to connect Bat to switch and Wench  to Switch.  I'll use Number 10 stranded awg .with solder ring terminals at switch. Inline fuse on supply.

[Gwbarm]

I have been entertaining the idea of putting one of these wireless conversion kits on my older warn winch, the winch works great but i also have a bad rocker switch.

 

https://www.amazon.com/Winch-Kit-Solenoid-Relay-2000-5000lbs/dp/B09ZT25NXX/ref=sr_1_23?crid=3MTNMLBPVC86N&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.t25q7-n5QrKISJx_YbNlT3BobJQ9S1eRYoxP3UCGDcsubw9bKzQctDZEijA6apCWizCLLp4mSS1L9wxpd4RW0g2ZOVDQKMun5wmHZtdzeXCmDBWVMpT8dUuytEqN8KVTuhqOfAhJxdyi8BeE4WahBW2nbVAgVzYPLAqboQYFaEhpsF6Db_Xyr8glQu20LWGMum_cNjGq4ZJsmNA-hkZXXySedmL1u0n6n8ZocgVhxXm2V3f7Vhvte_Te2Rb7rAw0a2DeI3ZgIPW-87XtqzvXW_54oNwOj-yC1EO48NyzoAU.UwmasnuRl2s1yHEWzotaQ1FHmuIOo40t7-B8jC7N-2s&dib_tag=se&keywords=convert+winch+to+wireless&qid=1752724947&sprefix=convert+winch+to+wireless%2Caps%2C212&sr=8-23

[mikeexplorer]

On 7/14/2025 at 3:21 PM, jen said:

I have some 40 amp  two pole disconnect connectors i will use to connect Bat to switch and Wench  to Switch.  I'll use Number 10 stranded awg .with solder ring terminals at switch. Inline fuse on supply.

Make sure the ring terminals are rated to handle the amps. You could also use a thermal circuit breaker instead of a fuse. Auto parts stores sells them. If you draw over the rated amps, they warm up and open the circuit then re-close when they cool down. Also known as "Thermal overloads" commonly used on industrial motors. 

On my camping trailer, off of the battery my "main" fuse is a 30 amp self-resetting circuit breaker (same thing) then it breaks out to the smaller fuses. 

#10 stranded wire is borderline for the amp draw, but since this is for intermittent use for a winch verse a continuous draw it should be ok.

Mike

 

[jen]

Good point ...hate to blow fuse when out in woods.  I am using THHN stranded with you know that spiral automotive sleeve to make a cable. 

[mikeexplorer]

THHN wire is normally used in industrial wiring in conduit. If its wire you had handy, it would be ok to use, It is not as flexible. If you had to buy wire for your project RW90 is a better choice. Protecting it with that outer sleeve is a good idea since it will help avoid insulation rub through and an eventual short circuit. 

The spiral wrap is better choice then then split loom covering because it is thicker and provides better protection.

 

[jen]

Yes the THHN was left over from a job and a friend gave it to me.  I just received the switch assembly but i will send a picture.

[jen]

Here is picture of switch assembly.  I got lazy and bought the switch with CB and in line thermal OL.  Notice the solder type ring terminals...very nice.  I always struggle to find correct terminals for projects.

The ring terminals should accept the #10 awg.   Bought from Amazon...$41.  I have quick disconects  that I will use for bat.

[mikeexplorer]

It does look like the terminals will accept #10 AWG wire. Is the switch rated for the current? Usually winches come with a box that contains a set of high current relays to switch the polarity to the motor and then there would be a low current side to a rocker switch to select winch in or out. 

The manual switch you are showing does the same thing , One thing, where you plan to mount the switch box, you will have 4 #10 wires to the box so you may not want to mount this on the handlebar. 

 

Mike

 

[jen]

Switch rated at 40 amps VDC.

Hmmm...Mounting position? Handle bars...? Did not think of that, Mike.  Maybe rear end mount?

[jen]

The manual winch switch is rated at 50 A; however, the terminals on the back are close together..  I  used thick shrink tubing over the screw terminal connectors seen here.

[WeeBee]

Looks good to avoid contact!

[jen]

The indexing hole in the metal control supplied was sloppy...I like tight.

I had to shim the hole so the manual control would not move when twisted to open / close winch.  

[mikeexplorer]

Good idea on the tubing

 

[jen]

Ill send final control pic later...

[jen]

Here is contro sitting on my battery transport box . Twist lok connector that connects both winch and battery

[WeeBee]

Nice setup! Looks like it will do the job for you!