Put your tool kit somewhere else and mount the solenoid assembly for your Warn winch where the tool kit was. It will keep it out of the mud/rocks/dirt/water/brush/etc. You can even shorten up your wiring if you'd like as you'll have several feet to spare by doing this. I used self tapping sheetmetal screws to mount the solenoid to the plastic area where the tool kit went. Easy on them or they'll strip.
I can't believe the install manual tells you to put it out back, just not a good idea....

 

huh??

 

Do you have an '05 BF750? Did you get the $69 Warn winch deal? If so, the instruction manual tells you to put the solenoid out back on one of the bars where it can easily be damaged by water, mud and brush..... Soooo put it under your seat where the tool kit would normally go.
Does that explain it??

 

I put mine under the seat also but be very careful with the length of screw you use as
you may drill into the gas tank.

 

Mikeames are you refering to the contactor? I ask casue I just installed my winch (the 2.5) and mounted the contactor where you are talking about. Could you post a pic of how you did this? Also where did you hook up the red wire from the mini rocker? I've never installed one of these and the only part that has me woried is that red wire.

 

i have one on my brute, the dealer installed it. i would have done it myself but he offered so i said have at it. they put the contator on the back bar like the instructions say, which i to am not a big fan of, but i havnt had any problems so far. i think putting it under the seat is a much better location.

 

Yup, put the contactor/solenoid where the tool kit would normally go. Put the tool kit somewhere else or give it to someone with a Polaris...
I my memory serves me, the red wire should go to a 12V source that is on when the key is on. Can't remember where I hooked mine up. If you got the winch from Kawasaki, I thought I remembered the instructions telling you where to tie it in. Seems like several of those unused connectors under the steering head might have had keyed power to them...

 

I spliced mine in to the hotwire for the 12v outlet(cigrette lighter). Its keyed power only.

 

solenoid? lol, I got mine wired direct. been doing that for years ever since the Warn solenoids started catching fire.

 

These are not the same solenoids that caught fire. I change my cigarette lighter to be on all the time ( not keyed), but I may have used the wires previously used for the cigarette lighter for the winch control power.