[BYuen]

Originally Posted by Power5

Yeah, most Warn winches use over 400amps at max pull. Most Chinese winches use less than that. Much less. M8000 uses 435amps for a full load pull. The cheap gorilla 8klbs uses 300amps for a full load pull. The 12k gorilla only uses 400amps for a full load pull. I don't really know why the best in the business cant come up with a better motor to not use so much power.

Most the Chinese winches use a permanent magnetic motor versus the Warn's series wound. A permanent magnetic motor will draw much less amps than a series wound. However, the perm magnet motors tend to be less durable and slower than a series wound.

[CopperCJ7]

Originally Posted by BYuen

Most the Chinese winches use a permanent magnetic motor versus the Warn's series wound. A permanent magnetic motor will draw much less amps than a series wound. However, the perm magnet motors tend to be less durable and slower than a series wound.

I'm NOT accusing you of being a "Warn snob" but ALL winches made today are either made in China, made from Chinese parts or re-badged winches from other companies made in China. If you don't think Warn uses Chinese parts to cut costs too, you'd be wrong. Back in the day, Warn was BY FAR the best winch made. Today, they're all basically the same as all the rest of the winches out there. The only thing that changes are the motor specs, the wire / cable and the accessories.

My Smittybilt is actually a re-badged T-Max and has the Series wound motor. I'd rather spend $300 on a winch and then buy an on-board air system rather than $1600 on a Warn Powerplant with air that covers most of the air intake area.

[cpleasant]

Ok, asked this elsewhere with no answer. Maybe Ill have more luck here



Im currently wiring up an in-cab control for my new winch. Im looking to add another set of solenoids so I can completely bypass the winch's. This way Ill have backup control incase the original fails.

The idea I had was to use something like a starter solenoid off of a 60's-70's era vehicle (Ford Fairlane was mentioned to me). My question is will this handle the amp draw off of a winch?

[cpleasant]

Nope, just the fact that if Im stuck Id like a little more insurance than the single solenoid that the winch uses. Actually, how I want to set it up Ill actually have 3 solenoids (original, in, out). That way, two can go bad and I can still wire it on the trail to move without trying to jump it directly to the battery.

I want to do this because if I need the winch, Im probally gonna REALLY need the winch. A little insurance that wiring about $25 worth of relays brings is priceless. Besides, its fun to wire stuff up.

[rallynut78]

Update:

I have had my 2nd gen xrc8 for a few months and used it a few times. it works fine so far no worries or hiccups. after the first use i would say it has paid for itself.

[toast11]

i did a write up for this winch if anyone is interested, i figured i would post in this thread

http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f27/my-winch-installation-novice-experience-578721-post5419101/

[jawalterusmc]

I received mine last night via UPS from 4 wheel parts..only one tear in the box, and most of the styrofoam was intact. I installed it today on my lunch hour and everything worked as advertised. The free winch plate and fairlead all fit perfectly. By the way I received the newer version. For now I have mounted the solenoid on top of the rails. It also came with the side mounted kit but am not sure if I want to do that or go for the under the hood and inside the cab look. I liked what I have read about it on this post but didn't have the time to go that route. Maybe this weekend. I just wanted to get it up and running to make sure "IN" was IN and "OUT" was OUT and all the controls worked properly. I also reused my stabilizer cover and just notched out what needed to be cleared to remount it. I also reused my original front tow hooks and bolts. I am keeping my original bumper and don't have clevis's for towing points. Next is welding on the stinger I made in my shop.

[joe's_yj]

where can i get the lifetime warrenty from?

[YJames90]

Update!!!
I was at Jeep Jamboree last month. I used my Smittybilt at least 5 times to pull jeeps up muddy hills, each pull was more then 40 feet. One hill I had to pull myself up then 5 minutes later pull the next jeep up.
No problems at all

[joe's_yj]

anyone, trying to get this tonight

[timdastis]

after reading this and many other reviews i decided to go with this winch. for the price and 2nd gen quality it cant be beat. i dont do enough crawling or offroading to really need a 900 dollar winch

i got this for 270 shipped from here

http://www.4wheelparts.com/prodDetail.aspx?partNo=S/B97281

[Ipsteeler]

I got one of the XRC10's from 4 wheel part's about 1 month ago and i have used it 4 time's.
One of our 28' box trailer's flipped and my boss called me up to look at it and i just flipped it over on the spot!
It was empty but still heavy.
2 offroad occurance's and once when i got it to wind the cable.
I love this thing and i am Very glad i got it.
Also when i got the XRC10 i also got a milemarker plate, Yellowtop Optima and a Mean Green 200 Amp Alt to help keep up with the winch and all the power demand i have.
Let's see. Warn Powerplant = 1600.00 + Plate
OR
XRC10 = 400
Mean green = 360
Yellowtop = 170
Home made OBA with AC compressor = 80 (Also fill's a 3 Gal tank to 120Psi in about 30 second's at idle!)Faster than powerplant.
So for everything = 1010.
You save 590 buck's! and you get better equiptment!
My .02.

[Jeepfreak81]

Does anyone know how to tell by looking at one if it is the first gen with the PM motor or the 2nd gen with the series wound motor?

A friend has one for a decent deal that was never mounted or used, he sold the jeep before he had the chance to put it on, I was looking at it for my flatfender, but will just buy brand new from a dealer if his is the first gen.

[CopperCJ7]

Originally Posted by Jeepfreak81

Does anyone know how to tell by looking at one if it is the first gen with the PM motor or the 2nd gen with the series wound motor?

A friend has one for a decent deal that was never mounted or used, he sold the jeep before he had the chance to put it on, I was looking at it for my flatfender, but will just buy brand new from a dealer if his is the first gen.

The easiest way is that gen 1 has three wires and gen 2 has four wires

[Jeepfreak81]

Originally Posted by CopperCJ7

The easiest way is that gen 1 has three wires and gen 2 has four wires

On the remote?