Winch wiring, multi point ?

[makeitfit]

Calling all electricker types
I've been trying to be clever with my winch controls.:augie
I have a master switch on the dash, ON/OFF/ON to send power to another switch on the dash that controls winch in/out. It also sends power to the outside wander lead when switched to the other ON position. So only inside OR outside controls for the winch , not both for obvious reasons.
However I've hit a snag, when the outside ON is used the outside controls only make the solenoid clunk, ie there's not enough volts hitting it :nenau I think I'm getting voltage drop by sending power back into the truck loom. I think :augie

So my long winded question, Can I fit a diode or something at the outside end to stop me loosing power back into the truck ?

PS inside ON works fine :thumbs

 

[Nav230]

Sounds simple enough and you shouldn't need a diode in there. I take it you are using an SPDT or DPDT switch. When your on/off/on switch is set to outside all your doing is supplying power exclusively to the wanderlead which only needs a small current to operate the coils on the solenoids.

Only thing I can think of is that you have a poor connection or switch/other component that is struggling to carrying the load.

Have you put a multimeter on the wanderlead supply end and checked the voltage both unloaded and under load to see what is happening ?

You shouldn't see any voltage drop from batt volts when off load ie not trying to operate the winch and you should only see a small drop when loading up to energise the coil in the solenoid (It's just a big relay after all)

You can get some figures from the in dash end because that's working and will give you a baseline.

This is all assuming that your wanderlead is ok

 

[solarman216]

Cannot add anything to Deanos reply, but I do not bother with wander leads, have radio remote works perfect, Rick

 

[Fez_uk]

Cannot add anything to Deanos reply, but I do not bother with wander leads, have radio remote works perfect, Rick

You may have issues when others are using them nearby though, Which we did on a pay and play.

Pete your best drawing a circuit diagram, might make more sense and see what your problem is?

How much do those winch relays pull for switching?

 

[makeitfit]

Rick I use remote also, wander lead is fail safe though.
Fez, I don't know but will find out today and post wiring diagram.
Deano, I'll get the multi meter out and see if I can't rearrange my hair some more :lol
Cheers all :thumb2