WInch controller question
Submitted: Friday, May 09, 2008 at 17:38
ThreadID:
57428
Views:
1970
Replies:
6
FollowUps:
13
This Thread has been Archived
Vivid Adventures
Chinese (get that out of the way early) winch with three posts - armature, and two directional circuits.
The solenoid controller is a two-solenoid set up.
When I switch it in, one solenoid switches a directional circuitand when I switch it out, the other solenoid switches the other directional circuit. At rest both directional circuits return to ground.
The winch ground appears fine.
So far so good.
But I do not get power to the armature circuit switched in or out...
This is where I am questioning my understanding of this thing - I thought that to drive it I needed power to the armature and one or other directional circuit with the opposite directional circuit being on rest.
Am I right? Does this mean the solenoid pack has been drowned in mud and water too many times?
I do find it strange that the solenoids appear to work in part anyway...
Reply By: Member - Matthew C - Friday, May 09, 2008 at 17:53
Friday, May 09, 2008 at 17:53
My guess is the solenoid pack is working (the windings are fine) but the contact areas are all corroded etc from the mud and water you described not allowing contact.
Matt
AnswerID:
302921
Follow Up By: Vivid Adventures - Friday, May 09, 2008 at 18:07
Friday, May 09, 2008 at 18:07
Thanks Matthew - yes, you may be right, but the annoying thing is that both the directional circuits get powered, but neither of the armature circuits on the solenoids - which made me question my understanding.
FollowupID:
569061
Follow Up By: Member - Matthew C - Friday, May 09, 2008 at 18:48
Friday, May 09, 2008 at 18:48
Try a few rapid on/offs on the solenoids to see if you can clear some built up corrosion etc .
It may help.
Matt
FollowupID:
569074
Follow Up By: Vivid Adventures - Friday, May 09, 2008 at 18:56
Friday, May 09, 2008 at 18:56
Yeah - thought of that. 15 minutes of clicking and no change...
FollowupID:
569077
Follow Up By: Member - Matthew C - Friday, May 09, 2008 at 19:00
Friday, May 09, 2008 at 19:00
Oh well we tried, start pulling it apart or trying other tests.
Matt
FollowupID:
569078
Reply By: autosparky - Friday, May 09, 2008 at 19:37
Friday, May 09, 2008 at 19:37
the brushes in the brush box may be siezed in , in turn not a complete circuit (specially as
winches are not water tight and can only take sooo many baths)
AnswerID:
302943
Follow Up By: Vivid Adventures - Friday, May 09, 2008 at 19:44
Friday, May 09, 2008 at 19:44
but should the solenoid switch power to the armature circuit...
ie. should I be able to see +12V on the armature circuit when the In or Out solenoid is switched?
FollowupID:
569081
Reply By: autosparky - Friday, May 09, 2008 at 19:54
Friday, May 09, 2008 at 19:54
its convolted send your phone no towaconsofraptors@iinet.net.au and ill talk you thru it im away from this computor in 1hr till sunday
AnswerID:
302945
Follow Up By: autosparky - Friday, May 09, 2008 at 19:55
Friday, May 09, 2008 at 19:55
waconsofraptors@iinet.net.au
FollowupID:
569084
Reply By: TD100 - Friday, May 09, 2008 at 19:54
Friday, May 09, 2008 at 19:54
The answer to that question is YES ! when run out is switched you should have supply on "F" or "S" 1 0r 2 and armature,and when run in the other "F" or "S" 2 or 1.my mates recently had issues with in,the sloenoid was not supplying 12v to armature thus not running.was it working previously? its just odd that both stopped? both the solenoids must be shagged? i havnt yet changed mine to a sealed unit that i have sitting on
the bench(for bout 12 mths!!)i say chk wiring and go from there.cheers Paul
AnswerID:
302946
Follow Up By: Vivid Adventures - Friday, May 09, 2008 at 20:14
Friday, May 09, 2008 at 20:14
Thanks Paul.
I have checked all the wiring to the solenoid and as much as it is odd that both stopped, they were both in the upside down (duh!) control box whilst the winch was out for the last trip - collected the water and mud nicely, and probably has corroded the insides of the solenoids nicely too.
I like the look of those solid-state solenoids... perhaps I'll get one as a replacement with one of those wireless remotes.
FollowupID:
569087
Reply By: Member - Warfer (VIC) - Friday, May 09, 2008 at 20:43
Friday, May 09, 2008 at 20:43
Hiya Mr Vivid
Could i ask the question,Why would you not buy a quality winch like Warn,Magnum etc,with the amount of driving i assume you may do...
Why bother with Chinese (brands)
Cheers Mate
AnswerID:
302952
Follow Up By: David - Friday, May 09, 2008 at 20:51
Friday, May 09, 2008 at 20:51
It does not make any difference as my Warn 9000 low mount is doing the same thing, this is the 3rd time I have had to pull it out and fix the solenoids. l have checked the winch an it is as good as new, but have problems with control box.
David
FollowupID:
569091
Follow Up By: Vivid Adventures - Friday, May 09, 2008 at 20:54
Friday, May 09, 2008 at 20:54
I do a lot of driving, but rarely use the winch - mostly it is used for pulling out other people, gardening (fallen trees, etc.) in the high country, etc.
For all of that, having taken this winch apart for cleaning and maintenance about 4 times in 3 years, and having used it in anger a number of times, I can't fault the quality. It is regularly tested, spooled in and out, and never a problem. The gearbox shows no noticeable wear. The brushes all are in good condition and the motor pulls well.
Perhaps the quality of the solenoids in the control box might be questioned now... but then they are pretty much the same setup as Warn... and Magnum - well where do you think they are made?
I think if I submersed a Warn controller in water for a week like I did this one (by accident), it might not work either.
FollowupID:
569092
Follow Up By: David - Friday, May 09, 2008 at 21:55
Friday, May 09, 2008 at 21:55
Looks like you use your winch about the same as I have.
I have mine apart at the moment and it says made in USA on each solenoid. I will clean it all up again and put it back together and see how it goes again.
I am looking at one of those sealed units on ebay at the moment WINCH CONTROL BOX WITH WIRELESS & HAND REMOTE
CONTRL BOX HAS THE NEW SINGLE SOLENOID
Item number: 150244249213
I am going to look more into this over the next week and see what happens.
FollowupID:
569103
Follow Up By: Vivid Adventures - Friday, May 09, 2008 at 21:57
Friday, May 09, 2008 at 21:57
Just spoke to the bloke selling those... seems like a good bloke and pragmatic approach to product.
FollowupID:
569105
Follow Up By: Member - Warfer (VIC) - Saturday, May 10, 2008 at 14:37
Saturday, May 10, 2008 at 14:37
Hiya Steve
Did you bother to ask about the warranty status with those !
Cheers
FollowupID:
569193
Reply By: Eric Experience - Friday, May 09, 2008 at 21:32
Friday, May 09, 2008 at 21:32
If your field winding is open cct. you will have the symptoms you describe. Eric.
AnswerID:
302967
Follow Up By: Vivid Adventures - Friday, May 09, 2008 at 21:59
Friday, May 09, 2008 at 21:59
Thanks Eric... but even if I disconnect it from the winch it is still not bringing up power to the armature circuit... which I think means that the solenoids are buggered.
FollowupID:
569106