Is Solenoid Required for Installing Powered Winch Wiring Kit # BDW20207

Updated 07/07/2015 | Published 07/05/2015

Products Featured in This Question

Bulldog Winch Rear Wiring Kit - Quick Connect to Terminal End - 2 Gauge - 24' Long

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$354.80

Firestone Fuse Circuit Tap Kit

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Starter Solenoid - SPST - 12 Volt - 100 Amp - Continuous Duty - Grounded

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Question:

You explained in QandA section that a winch wiring kit for that customer would not need the solenoid because the winch has one, but went on to say the winch would only work when the ignition was on? If the winch cables go to the battery, the winch would operate whether vehicle was on or off? Confused : And my main issues, is why would you ever use the solenoid to begin with? All my research says to disconnect power so not to drain battery. But if youre not using it, how would it drain the battery? In short, why ever a solenoid? Thank you.

asked by: Louis

Expert Reply:

Use of a solenoid like # PK5231201 provides fail-safe protection from accidental draining of your battery with any 12V accessory. This solenoid is activated by an ignition-controlled circuit that connects to its center terminal to turn the power flow on an off. Unless the ignition is on there is no signal going to that center terminal and without that signal present the solenoid remains open and does not allow 12V power to pass through to the output terminal.

You certainly can wire a winch directly to the battery and it will work fine but the protection of a solenoid is "cheap insurance" to protect you from discovering that your battery is drained. Other types of accessories may certainly be more likely to create this concern than a winch, as you note.

This solenoid requires you to tap into one of the vehicle's ignition-controlled circuit, such as a powered antenna, using a fuse tap kit # F2526.

expert reply by: Adam R