I've got a T1500 superwinch, it's wired through a rocker switch and a circuit breaker. I use it mostly during the winter to plow snow. Eventually the battery won't recharge via just riding or with a charger. I don't have a solenoid and I'm not sure if I have to have one. Or if after I plow I should charge the battery. I'm planning on buying a new one once I know that I'm not going to ruin another one.
It's on a 2000, 450 foreman.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-confused.gif[/img]

 

Maybe our battery is just tired and needs to be replaced.

 

it may be that your battery is getting old and wont keep a charge for long. These winches really use alot of amps and will cause a battery to die quickly. After i finish plowing i will let my bike run for about 20 min. to help the battery get charged back up, or i put a battery tender/charger on it. A battery tender is always a good idea as it keeps it charged all the time. If you have a newer quad with a clock on it,when you shut the bike off the clock technicly stays on and will slowly drain the battery. If this is the case,you need to invest in a tender.

 

The winch pulls way more power than the alternator puts out, so eventually it will run the battery down. That point will just come later if you have a larger capacity battery.

Also, it would probably take an hour or maybe two of running at higher RPM to bring the battery back to 100%.

It might be worth while to take a multi-meter to it, to check for excessive key-off drain, and to see what the charging voltage is when the thing is reved up.

Other than that, I'd run an automatic battery charger when the machine is not in use. Something 2 amps or under.

 

ill bet its your battery. i had a 2000 sportman 335. i had to replace the battery in 06' i put a 1500lb superwinch on it. i never had a problem. but now i have a 08 sportsman with a 3000lb warn. and the wheeler cant keep up with the draw from the winch. so check the battery.

 

on my arctic cat, the battery will run down after plowing. i installed an onboard low voltage(trickle charger). after plowing, i just plug it is. battery is fully charged after a few hours and shuts itself off so it doesn't overcharge. we have a harbor freight tool store in town, you can order from them online. about $13 plus shipping. i am going to get one for my new vinson and one for the trailboss.