4 Amp Relay Output Winch Controller

[heyok]

This replaces the old thread for this product which can be found here if you for you history buffs:
Winch Controller - Relay Driven - External Power

4 Amp Relay Output Winch Controller



This is the brute force method of motor control.
* These controllers don't have the voltage limitations that the normal winch controllers have!

Rather than relying on semiconductor components to take care of power switching, these units make use of relay contacts. This means super low "on" resistance which ensures that the maximum amount of power will be delivered to your winch. The relays switch full battery voltage to the winch motor.

These controllers are recommended for servo winch operation but they will work on 3Racing and RC4WD DC powered winches too.

The contacts in the relays all exceed 20 volts. This is way more voltage than any servo winch or 3Racing etc winch can safely work with.
Keep in mind that as you increase the working voltage, you increase the current flowing through the relay contacts to your winch motor.

Plug the controller into a free three position or linear channel on your receiver. Connect a battery that you want to run the winch to the other connector. The white wires get soldered to your winch motor.

The controller only uses a small amount of power from the receiver to power its signal decoding electronics and to operate the relay coils.

When the winch is not winding in or out, the relay contacts provide a short across the motor to "brake" the winch load which helps to keep the line from winding out.

This type of winch controller can also be ordered in a version that will work for systems that only have a two position channel available.
Each time you press and release the switch on CH3, the winch does the next thing in sequence.

• Winch is stopped
• Winch winds out
• Winch is stopped
• Winch winds in
• Winch is stopped

etc.

Here is a video showing the MOSFET winch controller for a two position channel in use (functionally the same as the relay controller):
Winch Controller for two position channel transmitter - YouTube

* While you can feed full battery voltage into the battery connector, the servo connector is limited to 6 volts. If you need to run higher, choose the H option of the controller.
You might have more than 6 volts on the servo connector if you are running an external BEC and a strong steering servo.
I suggest that instead of using the external BEC to feed more than 6 volts into your receiver, that you instead use the ESC's own built in BEC to power the receiver and use the external BEC to feed power only to the steering servo.
To do this, remove the red wire from the servo's receiver plug and connect it to the red output wire of the BEC. Also make sure the red wire from the ESC hasn't been removed from its receiver plug.

Now the ESC's built in BEC will take care of running the light load of the receiver and the external BEC can supply as much power as it can to the steering at whatever voltage that servo will take.
See drawing here:
Yes, another one: BEC to HV Servo Wiring

As an alternative, you could consider running the No Brainer BEC as this will do the above for you.
No Brainer BEC

Part Number: 3PWR4 $40 (remember: 6 volts max on receiver plug)
Part Number 3PWR4H $45 (more than 6 volts on receiver plug 10 volts max)
Add a JST connector to the output: add $2
SOFT START! - when you order your winch controller, consider having me install the Soft Start option as it will help save wear and tear on the winch line and drive train. Add $7
Read more here: Soft Start Winch Controller

[chevotafun]

There is Not a better winch controller out there

[heyok]

SOFT START! - when you order your winch controller, consider having me install the Soft Start option as it will help save wear and tear on the winch line and drive train.
Read more here: Soft Start Winch Controller

[imthatguy]

Fired this up on my TZI winch the other day, works like a charm.

[stelerzman]

This controller is by far THE BEST EVER.

[mjderstine]

ill start posting here.

forgot to ask. i didnt get the one that can take more than 6v from the rx. will that be an issue?

[heyok]

Originally Posted by mjderstine

ill start posting here.

forgot to ask. i didnt get the one that can take more than 6v from the rx. will that be an issue?

Glad you caught that. I was distracted. Yes, it will be an issue.
Connect your BEC up they way I describe in the first post and you will be in good shape, or get the H type controller.

[mjderstine]

hey man. got a TP MG996r to try on this thing. i think the last one it burned out was slightly less powerful.

so, i'll wire it up tonight and give it a shot. you said you've been running 3s batteries directly to yours with no problem correct?

[heyok]

Originally Posted by mjderstine

hey man. got a TP MG996r to try on this thing. i think the last one it burned out was slightly less powerful.

so, i'll wire it up tonight and give it a shot. you said you've been running 3s batteries directly to yours with no problem correct?

Yes, I have been running 3S on these. Keep in mind that the more you load down the winch, the less time it will last.

[mjderstine]

cool. i'll try not to lift the whole truck by the winch anymore !!! HA

its for the C3 rig, so hopefully the big tires and 4ws will not need a winch too often.

[stelerzman]

I suggest that instead of using the external BEC to feed more than 6 volts into your receiver, that you instead use the ESC's own built in BEC to power the receiver and use the external BEC to feed power only to the steering servo.
To do this, remove the red wire from the servo's receiver plug and connect it to the red output wire of the BEC. Also make sure the red wire from the ESC hasn't been removed from its receiver plug.*

Hi Al, could you provide a diagram of this setup for the simple minded??? Thanks.
Your the bomb.

[heyok]

Sure. I will try and have a picture posted later today.

[heyok]

This is about as simple as I can make it:



Of course, if you just used a No Brainer BEC, it would all be plug and play:
No Brainer BEC

[stelerzman]

Thanks Al. I'm in the process of installing my new KMS K2 winch and your 4A controller.
Everything is plugged in and for some reason i'm not getting anything. It's very weird concidering I'm using the same channel as before. Any suggestions.
Rx is a 4Pk running 3S power.

Thanks.

[stelerzman]

Fyi, I just swapped out the 4A controller for a standard 3p switch and all is good. Now I'm confussed.
Is it the controller or something else???? I'd really like to get the power of the 4A controller.

Thanks for any info and advice.

[heyok]

Originally Posted by stelerzman

Fyi, I just swapped out the 4A controller for a standard 3p switch and all is good. Now I'm confussed.
Is it the controller or something else???? I'd really like to get the power of the 4A controller.

Thanks for any info and advice.

Sorry to hear about the trouble.
I will help you in PMs.

Al

[Szczerba]

I am in the same boat. I plug in the 4a controller and I am getting nothing on a 4pk, ch4 with a kms winch.

[heyok]

The previous two issues ended up being no winch controller output do to over-voltage at the receiver. More than six volts at the receiver will require ordering the "H" version of the controller or rewiring the BEC as per the first post in this thread.

This is my fault as I haven't made things clear enough in every place that these controllers are listed for sale. Working on getting the word out.
Thank you for everyone's patience.

Al

[panama]

ordered K2 and the 4amp relay. can i run the relay off the bec with the steering servo? do i make double out sided Y harness from the bec?
i was thinking on running a small 2s battery to power the winch.
but that is 7.2 volts.

[heyok]

Originally Posted by panama

ordered K2 and the 4amp relay. can i run the relay off the bec with the steering servo? do i make double out sided Y harness from the bec?
i was thinking on running a small 2s battery to power the winch.
but that is 7.2 volts.

Just make sure that the servo connector has a maximum of 6 volts on it.
Maybe read the first post in this thread. I think it answers all your questions. If not, please try me again.

Thanks,
Al