Where did you 650 owners mount the solenoid on your quad? The very vague instructions say something about removing the storage box and use the solenoid as a template to drill the mounting holes on top of the storage box. Do I mount the solenoid on the rear of the storage box facing towards the back of the quad? Help me out. Thanks.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-confused.gif[/img]

 

When I got the 650, I was very averse to drilling holes in stuff, or putting anything where it might obstruct airflow or be close to the exhaust, so I settled on mounting it under the right rear fender to the aluminum arm that supports the rack (yeah it is near the gas tank, but so is everything else). I drilled two holes in it. I wish I could see the quad right now, I'm at work, and I would tell you what I think about the tire clearance. As far as I remember, it is not in the path of the tire travel, I do not think it will be a problem when I get fatter tires. The cables were plenty long enough to do this. The relay is realtively easy to remove again, and sorta easy to change the wires.

I am going remove the little rocker switch from the black handheld switch thing that came in my kit, and mount it in the plastic cowl of the handlebars. I did not wire it to power controlled by the ignition switch, I wired it to the battery so I could use it w/o engine on. I have only used the winch to hold the machine down to a trailer. My bro used his winch to pry his machine out of a tree when he rolled it downhill.

I will take a photo of it if anybody cares.

 

Thanks for the info. I was thinking the same thing on the hand held remote. It is kind of bulky to begin with.

 

I looked at my relay mounting again, and it is a mile from the tire. Every part of my machine is caked with mud anyway, so I do not think putting it in the fenderwell makes the relay any more dirty. Kawi put some kind of electronic module in that area too.

I guess I don't like the idea of putting the relay on the back of the storage box. After looking at it, it seems like it would be very visible. I know it sounds stupid but I have seen a lot of ATV's hit another ATV from behind and I would not want that relay there. On the other hand it would be a cinch to jump start someone because the relay would be so easy to attach jumper cables to.

 

So, you guys are mounting the rocker switch of the hand held remote onto your cowls.... So, it will no longer be remote? It will be permanently mounted, right?

I'm looking for a suggestion re: where to mount the hand held. I do not want it to be permanently mounted.

Right now it's on my handle bar. The problem is that because of the cables and wires that run along the back of the handle bar, the hand held remote has to go over them. Thus, the hand grip has to go over the wires and the switch points down towards the ground.

I tried to mount it between the wires/cable and the handle bar, but there's not enough Clarence.

Any suggestions?

 

I removed the left side pannel and mounted it right aginst the air box, Perfect fit. I mounted the hand held on the left side of the bar and stuff the cord into the cover untill I need it.

 

Alot of great ideas on the remote switch installation. I am going to mount the switch bracket on the left rear bar of the front rack. I don't like drilling holes in the red plastic either, but the radiator access door is probably the cheapest one to replace, so I'll mount the switch plug there or just run the switch cord through it and mount the plug inside that area somewhere. Now I can have the switch permanently mounted and I can also have it portable or remote. By having the switch plug mounted inside the rad. access area, extra cord can be fed through the hole ( with grommet) in the plastic and not be in the way. I have 9 hours to think about it at work tonight and will probably come up with something else.

 

I mounted mine on the rear of the storage box, but inside it. You can do it pretty easily through the openning without removing the box. I had to drill holes in the box, but if it was taken out I could plug them with screws. I put some RTV on the holes to keep the box watertight. This keeps the contactor clean and dry. I like the cowl/switch idea. I rolled mine nearly on it's top once in deep mud and needed to winch back over but the remote was in my cargo box mounted on the rear rack, upside down in the mud. I had to scoop mud from one side and then open the box from one end to get it out. Most everything I had in the box fell in the mud too. It was a real mess. I like the remote to winch sometimes, but I think I will add a parallel switch on the cowl for times like this. Thanks.

 

I mounted my switch plug in the little recess in the body plastic where the seat release is (it does not interfere with seat removal). It is very inconspicuous. I do not like having to plug and unplug it. I am removing the switch from the handheld rubber thing and mountng it somewhere in front, most probably in the console area on the handlebars. I will wire it directly to the relay. No more plugging and unplugging.

If I needed to buy a used Prairie, I would not care if someone had made a hole in the plastic. I would only care that they had routed the wires neat, safe and secure. I bought a used 400 Pairie, and it was scratched up real bad, but was mechanically perfect. It had a hole in the fender for the winch switch, I did not care.

I never want to sell this 650, but I still care about the workmanship of what I do to it. I would probably not sell the 650 to save myself from starving. You would have to pry my cold dead fingers from the handlegrips.

 

I am picking up my Griz on Saturday and went for the plow on the promo. I did some research into winches and I think the 2500 would be a good choice. Anybody know where to get one at a good price? Also, other than the winch will I need a mounting plate? Is it real hard to install and wire on a new Grizzly? Any help is appreciated.