Winch wiring

[TacoCrawler]

I installed the RC4WD WARN winch...
am using their wireless controller
and I'm wanting to wire a power lead to the controller.

Thing is... I run dual 3s 2200mah LiPo's and their voltage exceeds RC4WD's
max voltage recommendation of 11.1v

so... possibly I need use a method that reduces that voltage
or use a separate battery altogether.

Can I wire the winch power + wire, splicing into my BEC's (7.4v) output
or "Y" out from the RX and plug the winch into that ?
^ or would the winch's draw cause a brown out to the RX/servo or worse simply fry it ?
I'm not super savvy with this electrical stuff.

Alternatively I have a small 2s 1300mah LiPo that I could use to power the winch separately...
but my chassis has limited space due to the dual 3s LiPo's.
So if using the 2s LiPo I would likely require that I mount it on the body's underside.
Which is not ideal as I will need plug in and unplug when the body were removed.

Is there a better method ?
Maybe a resistor of some value that would allow me to wire directly
into the ESC's power/battery connection, reducing the voltage of the 3s LiPo ?

I'd like to minimize the wiring and weight added.

thanks if you have the know

[Johnnysplits]

3s is 11.1v nominal. Just wire it direct. I'm sure your pair of lipo's are wired in parallel so you're not gonna over power it.

[TacoCrawler]

^ but when it's charged fully, it bumps that up to 12.60v
and so that would exceed RC4WD's stated max voltage of 11.1v

I have not inquired with RC4WD as of yet...
but I might think that a 3s could be excessive.

so I wish to be 100% sure before making attempt.

I'm sure I could find it by looking... prolly read it and forgot...
does a fully charged 3s @ 12.60v, regulate/discharge at only 11.1v ?
nominal ?

Dual LiPo's wired parallel
they discharge equally capacity wise.
I'm just unsure of what the discharge voltage is
and whether it's stressing the controller's limits.

[Johnnysplits]

From fully charged, especially running a pair in parallel, you will see very little voltage sag. So if you throw them in right off the charger and start running, you'll see maybe a 1/2v sag which would put you at 12.1v I tried looking for a voltage regulator that puts out 11v, which would be the CC BEC Pro...but a little expensive.

[TacoCrawler]

Originally Posted by Johnnysplits

From fully charged, especially running a pair in parallel, you will see very little voltage sag. So if you throw them in right off the charger and start running, you'll see maybe a 1/2v sag which would put you at 12.1v I tried looking for a voltage regulator that puts out 11v, which would be the CC BEC Pro...but a little expensive.

not to be rude or ungrateful...
but your explanation of things offer me no understanding regarding my inquiry.

I have googled crap plenty
and many websites that sell the RC4WD controller
state that it can be wired to 2s or 3s.

But in their statement of battery selection ^
they also list the RC4WD Warn operating voltage as 6v - 11.1v
So they must be mistaken and offering bad advice.

I know the winch can handle 12v with little issue...
But the wireless controller is my concern here.

In order for a 3s to be at 11.1v... it is likely the battery is discharged.

I have also read...
that others have fried their wireless controller
by attempting to hook that up directly to a 3s LiPo

I could use a separate small LiPo (2s 7.4v) to power the winch controller
but I have little room to spare on the chassis
and would like to avoid doing that if possible.

Sooo...

I was hoping someone else might know...
if the controller's power lead could be spliced into my BEC's output
or even just run a "Y" harness out the RX's batt./Aux channel.
and if doing it like so...
could become a voltage demand issue and cause the RX to fail ?

I do not know what the amp draw is for this winch...
but I'm guessing when under load... that could increase.

So my concern would be if the RX would have starvation issues
if the winch were drawing power from the BEC or "Y" harnessed
at the BEC's input at the RX's Batt. channel ?
Would the RX be able to handle the amp draw of the winch ?


My BEC is set at 7.4v and the same voltage as the separate LiPo battery I would use.
^ but I don't wish to use a separate battery unless this is my only other option.

I do not have a 3 position switch on my FS GT-C
so I don't believe I can operate the winch properly using this TX.
but then... I don't know that to be for fact.

I am waiting for response from RC4WD for clarification.

[allanon1965]

I am running the warn 9.5ti winch and wireless controller from rc4wd off of my main 3s saddle pack batteries..hard wired into the esc power wires. I dont have it on any regulator or anything.
I have had no issues with the wireless controller burning out or acting glitchy.

I dont think you would have an issue...

[TacoCrawler]

^ thanks, I'll hope yer right

so does your controller get warm during use/non use ?

I do know the winch likes to run up there in the higher voltage range
as I've run the 3s directly to it before... and it spools well

appreciate your shared experience

[allanon1965]

I have not checked or felt the contoller during use so i cant answer that...but i do agree this winch loves 3s power!

[TacoCrawler]

update...

I received confirmation from RC4WD that the control unit
will in fact work wired directly to my primary 3s LiPo battery.
Technically it is wired to the ESC input wires that plug into the battery.

Binding was simple...
tho' there are no lights, bells or whistles to acknowledge/confirm this success.

I recommend the winch not be plugged in...
until after the bind process.
Once the bind process has taken place...
then plug in the winch and test the FOB control buttons/winch to see that it is spooling properly.

edit:

don't ask ...but dropped my FOB into some water. doh
got a little wet... so I opened it and blew it out with air.
Let it sit in a bag of rice for a few hours..
no foul, works fine.

^ Don't let it get wet and attempt to use it tho' ! Lol

The real reason for this edit is...
I found that when the FOB's batteries were removed...
and later reinserted... the control and FOB were still bound !?

[4x4Jay]

Those of you that are sucesfully connecting your controllers to 3s power, can you post an image of the wiring, or draw a diagram?
I plugged my winch controller in to 3s power, and put the control wire in to the receiver. Fried the winch controller. RC4WD warrantied the part (after 3 weeks...) so I have a new one, but it's only powered off of the receiver right now.

[JokersWild]

Wiring is same as if you were doing thr same to power a servo using a bypass adapter. In the end your controller has a positive..... Negitive and a control. Obviously control to rx...... Positive to batt positive and neg to batt negitive. How you get there is dependant on wiring in your rig. Personally I don't care for the rc4wd controllers....... Or wireless ones at that.

[Bmxreeves]

Hello! Can somebody post a link so i can find a Parallel battery Harness. but i need one with 2 males and 2 females. so a 4 lead harness. right? plz i need some help anything helps!