Winch solenoid

Can anyone @dag019 , recommend to me an albright solenoid to go with my 12v warn winch. I'm not sure of the model but looking online, it's more than likely a xd9000. So many out there and I'm confused. Also a controller of some sort would be good. Basically, I need it all as I've only got a naked winch.

mick the builder said:

Can anyone @dag019 , recommend to me an albright solenoid to go with my 12v warn winch. I'm not sure of the model but looking online, it's more than likely a xd9000. So many out there and I'm confused. Also a controller of some sort would be good. Basically, I need it all as I've only got a naked winch.

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This is the one that I fitted to my winch: link
It is possibly overkill for my (and maybe your) needs but I work on the principal that as long as the price difference is not prohibitive I would rather than more capacity than I actually need as there is less risk of failure.
In terms of the controller if you currently have nothing then it doesn't matter too much what you get. The important thing is for the controller plug and socket (connected to the solenoid) to be matched.
A quick look on ebay and there are lots of wireless options but I cannot vouch for quality. I have my solenoid wired to a socket (for a wired controller) under the bonnet and also wired to a switch on the dash so it can be used with either.

Same site as I got the solenoid from, again cannot vouch for quality as it is not what I am using but two options here:
Wireless: £21 link
Wired socket: £13.50 link
wired controller: £50 link

The other thing to consider when fitting is some sort of isolator. I fitted this one (link) in the battery box and wired to a switch on the dash, but it could also be a HD red key style isolator as well. Just make sure it is rated for more than the max capacity current draw of your winch.

dag019 said:

The other thing to consider when fitting is some sort of isolator. I fitted this one (link) in the battery box and wired to a switch on the dash, but it could also be a HD red key style isolator as well. Just make sure it is rated for more than the max capacity current draw of your winch.

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Thanks for all that, much appreciated.

mick the builder said:

Thanks for all that, much appreciated.

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No problem, I will say that all in all fitting my winch was very expensive and the winch itself ironically was one of the cheapest parts. I did go all out, and overengineered everything, got the bumper galvanised etc, but all of the wiring ended up costing me significantly more than the winch itself by the time I had the solenoid, isolator etc. One thing I did do as it was the cheapest way to over engineer was I bought a hydraulic crimper and made up my own cables from welding wire rather than buying them pre-made. This was significantly cheaper for the rating of cable that I ended up with, but again I rated my cables at a significantly higher capacity than the max draw of the winch.

dag019 said:

No problem, I will say that all in all fitting my winch was very expensive and the winch itself ironically was one of the cheapest parts. I did go all out, and overengineered everything, got the bumper galvanised etc, but all of the wiring ended up costing me significantly more than the winch itself by the time I had the solenoid, isolator etc. One thing I did do as it was the cheapest way to over engineer was I bought a hydraulic crimper and made up my own cables from welding wire rather than buying them pre-made. This was significantly cheaper for the rating of cable that I ended up with, but again I rated my cables at a significantly higher capacity than the max draw of the winch.

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That's what I'm finding out now. The winch only cost me £50. It was on a council defender that only came out once or twice a year if it snowed. I tried to buy the lot but it ended up going to auction. My mate took the winch off before it went.

Just to scare you, fitting my winch probably cost me around 1k all in. figures below are approximate from memory
300 winch
150 winch rebuild oils/gaskets/controller cabling (husky)
100 bumper
100 bumper attachments and galvansiing
60 solenoid
60 isolator
70 hydraulic crimper
80 500amp welding cable
30 misc wiring attachments

I have also subsequently fitted it with a synthetic rope as every time I used the steel one I cut myself on frayed parts and complained that it needed a new one which with the rock guard and stopper was probably another 150.

All in all it has been a great investment though, has probably worked out at about 50£ a pull so far! Usually used for things other than self recovery as well.

However, at the time I bought it it was something I had always wanted, even if I had no use for it, and it was a celebratory gift to myself for getting a "real" job after leaving uni and was what I spent my first paycheck on. How many other people can say they still have what their first paycheck went towards. (that's my justification anyway) (it is a bit like my student loans went towards buying both the 110 and the series, everyone else's went towards alcohol, mine went towards appreciating assists I still have!)