After sinking my new SP500 in some mud last weekend I went out and bought a Warn A2000 and mounting kit. After reading the instructions I had a few questions and thought those with more experience may be able to help.

First, the installation instructions state to splice the red 20ga wire from the solenoid to a key controlled electrical wire. My question is there a preferred lead to connect it to such as tail lamp, headlight etc? From the diagram, it doesn't appear that this connection does anything but turn on the solenoid but I just want to make sure I don't fry the electical system or some vital component ten miles from nowhere.

My second question concerns the mounting of the solenoid. The instructions state to keep it protected and dry. Is there a preferred mounting location for this? I am considering the storage box, but really hate drilling holes through it and taking up valuable storage space.

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Steve Toth

 

I think we hooked up ours through the tail light, and the solnoid under the right rear fender if sitting on the quad. It's not exactly high & dry, but it's the only place we could find to put it. The solnoid is a lot larger on the Warn 2500 that we have than the 2000 you have. When we had the 2000 I don't remember where the solinoid was, but it was tucked in a little better because it's smaller. Even with ours being more exposed, we haven't had any problems and it's been drenched more than once as well as covered in mud. We haven't tried to use it under water yet though.

 

"quad_man" says,

"The solnoid is a lot
larger on the Warn 2500 that we have than the 2000 you have."

True. As I understand it, the 2000 solenoid is a normally-open, single-pole-single-throw device, merely a circuit interrupter, disconnecting the "hot" wire to the hand-operated reversing winch control switch except when the ignition is activated. The control switch carries the full winch current.

The 2500 solenoid, a normally-open, double-pole-double-throw device, performs the function of the control switch on the Warn 2000, powering and reversing the winch, activated by a low-current remote hand-held switch.

Tree Farmer

P.S. Stever, my strong recommendation: get a ****** block to use with your winch. This relatively low-cost item doubles your extraction force and permits versatile angle pulls, even from the rear.

T.F.

[This message has been edited by Tree Farmer (edited 11-05-1999).]

 

Thanks for the thoughts.

I installed the mounting kit and bolted the winch on last night and after some trial and error, I think it will fit in the storage box ok, but I'm just not sure how I will waterproof it completely. After looking at the size of the red wire, I'm thinking of just splicing into the taillight or pigtail.

Have no idea where to mount the control switch. I was hoping to put it on the handlebars, but after looking at it see this is out of the question. Front rack may be ok but it may be in the way when carring my fuel pak. May be down to the fender, but again I don't want to be drilling holes.

Any other thoughts will surely be appreciated as I will not drill/connect until Saturday.

Thanks again,
Steve

 

I have been installing solonoids on Sportsmans under the front cover under rack.
there is a cross bar that has some holes already there.It is a tight fit and only one bolt is used to hold it but its out of the elements and close to the winch. To make connections to the battery easier I run only the pos cable to the battery and the ground goes to the engine where the batt cable connects. The best place to put the controller is on the left fender and drilling holes is required. A remote switch could be used if there are adapters available that you could just plug it in when needed but a place would be needed to mount the plug in also. However you do it there is always too much wire that you have to either have to tuck away or shorten the cable to fit neatly.
good luck Charlie
look for a red/white wire to connect the solonoid to, that is the keyed wires.

[This message has been edited by Charlie (edited 11-05-1999).]

 

I have the W2000 and I left my solinoid out...its just there for safety so when someone turns the switch wont work when the ignition is off. I didn't see the point really.

Now the W2500 setup would be ideal..with the handle bar mont lowcurrent switch..

 

I recently mounted a warn A2000 on my Foreman and I spliced directly into the lead from the key switch . I mounted the solenoid under the seat and to the rear of the compartment by drilling holes through the plastic and using rivets and by running a ground wire to the frame. This way it is completely out of the elements .

My Father in law has the same winch on his Big bear that was mounted by the dealer . The winch mounting plate has holes drilled that allow the solenoid to be mounted directly behind the winch , he's had no problems but the solenoid is some what exposed .

Where are you going to mount your control switch ? I mounted mine to the left-rear of the front rack and it is a little bit of a reach to activate the switch . I've seen guys mount them directly to the fender but I'm not 100% sure where the best mounting position is .

Good luck on the mounting project and I'm sure you'll like the winch , mine has been worth it's weight in gold the few times I've needed it .

 

This is not a big deal, but I am just mentioning it--Warn makes an upgrade kit to make a 2000 into a 2500. I am not sure what it costs, but it would be cheaper than buying a whole new winch. I have a 2000 and have not found it necessary to consider any upgrade. I just am letting any diehard wincher know it.

 

I have tried the dial-type switch on the fenders and it works pretty good. On our Sportsman we had it mounted on the front rack extension, but that's not a stock item.

When we upgraded to the 2500 it came with a remote. I really like this. You can be on or off the machine and winch, and it's alwayus in reach. We mounted the remote holder braket on the bars, so we can use it while sitting on the machine too.

After looking at the Warn 2000 and 2500 when we had them both sitting out, the only difference I could see was the solnoid, but there is probaly somthing internal different. The speed seams to be about the same though on both of them.

I wouldn't be surprised if the upgrade kit was just the solnoid from the 2500.

I don't know how we ever got along without a winch! After one guy got them, nearly everybody in our little riding group got one. A come-a-long can do the work just as well, but it's slower and harder to use when you also need to apply throttle.

I know no body asked, but what would I change on the Warn 2000/2500 winch? #1 would add a brake like the Rule has because a lot of people do use these for hoisting, towing, etc, even though it says not to. We haven't had any problems with them yet though. #2 would make both the 2000 & 2500 include the remote, and add a longer wire.

The only problems we as a group have had with our Warns (3 2000's 2 2500's) was that one of the remotes got dirty or somthing and the switch didn't work as smooth as it used to, but it still worked. We sent it back to the distributor and quickly got a replacement free of charge that worked/is still working flawlessly. They have good service.

 

If you mount the switch on your rack it will be back far enough that the gas pak wont bother it.I just used u bolts and didn't have to drill holes.If your worried about solenoid just wrap in black tape.You really dont even have to have it. LATER COB