I got a Warn 2.5 with my BF650i. I was reading the Warn winch instructions and it describes splicing into a hot wire that is live only when ignition is on. In the mounting plate instructions there is no mention of splicing a wire. Which is correct? The instructions from the mounting braket seem straight forward. Is it as simple as it says?

Thanks,
Escham

 

i installed my winch on a 2006 bf 650. and yes it is that easy, just find a wire that is hot with the key on. i connected mine in the handle bar cover.

 

Is it necessary to splice the wire? Just curious because mounting plate doesn't mention doing any splicing.

Thanks,
Escham

 

you will have to follow the instructions that came with the winch when installing it. you will need a switched hot wire. there is one just hanging from the cross member behind the radiator. there is a brown and a black/red wire with bullet terminal ends there (for the european horn kit). the brown wire is the switched hot.

monty

 

As others say, YES you need to splice into a key-on only live wire (+12V) so that the handlebar mounted IN/OUT switch works. It doesn't have to be a high amp live wire. It can be really skinny one because it only activates the relay which carries the needed high amp for the winch motor. You can even splice into a always-on live wire, but then the winch will work even without a key on the quad (sometimes convenient) and possibly run down the battery. If you would never drain your battery, you can even directly hook up to the + battery post.

 

I bought the mounting kit and put it on. Where does the flat fairlead (not the roller fairlead) that comes with it attach? I couldn't find it mentioned in the instructions.

Is the roller fairlead far superior?

 

The flat fairlead attaches to the front of the base mounting plate where the roller type would go. Yes, the roller type is a better one ONLY if you would extensively using the winch, especially at sharps angle where the winch cable would constantly come in contact with the inside edge of the fairlead.

 

Thanks for all the help folks. It is on and working properly. I bought a roller fairlead, but the bolts that came with the winch are too fat to fit and the roller didn't come with any mounting bolts. So I put the standard one on. Is this common?

Also, when I ride the Brute it always seems to be wound tightly and reving really high (like putting a car in first gear and winding it out). It sounds loud as well. Is this common for these ATVs?

 

My winch came with some bolts for the fairlead. I haven't noticed my brute reving high or much more loud than the norm. The only thing I have found is when it is cold it tends to spit and sputter. As far as splicing the into the ignition I did not. I read down in the directions and it said to mount to the battery post if there was no remote. However, I don't like the idea of my switch always hot so I am going to find a hot wire to the ignition. good luck

 

I noticed you started another thread about your running issue. Good.