Working on my 2011 F350 CC 4X4. I finally got the warn M12000 winch installed. Now I need to wire it in. I was thinking of using the uplifter switches. I can find the wires in the cab, but don't know what to do with them. Also, where do I connect the positive cable from the winch? There should be a relay somewhere that I connect the big red wire from the winch, but I can't find it. Can anyone give me some help?

 

Do not hook a 12K winch anywhere except to the battery!!!!!!!!!!!! You should have got a controller with your winch. When you need to winch plug it in the side of the winch and run the cord into the cab if you need to be inside. If staying outside stay away from the cable it will cut you in half if it breaks. Always through a blanket or heavy jacket over the cable to weight it down in case it breaks.

Please read your manual!!!!!!!!

If your dead set on an in cab controller this guy makes some great products. The 12Volt Guy

 

double-trouble
thanks for the info. Winch instructions didn't include much in the way of wiring diagrams. I thought that a fused link between the winch and the battery would be the way to go. Are you saying that I shouldn't put a fuse between the battery and the winch?

 

Yes the winch gets hooked directly to the battery. It will draw a huge amount of amps no way to fuse it.

 

With any winch it is a good rule of thumb to connect both cables from the winch directly to the battery. Another good pointer when it comes to winching is to run the winch in short intervals as to not over heat the winch or your electrical system and will give your alternator time to catch up. FOURWHEELER magazine this month has a big write up about winches/installs. The upliftter switches will never handle the load if you really start straining the winch.

 

You definitely won't be able to run it directly to the up fitter. Like others have said, I honestly would not winch with me in the truck. If you do, make sure the hood is up in case the cable snaps.

Here is the amperage draw of the Warn Tabor 12k winch. Even at zero weight, you are pulling significant amps.

12V DC PERFORMANCE SPECS
Line PullLbs.(Kgs.) Motor Current
0 24.4 (7.44) 73 amps
2000 (910) 168 amps
4000 (1810) 245 amps
6000 (2720) 328 amps
8000 (3630) 405 amps
9500 (4310) 479 amps
12000 (5440) 549 amps

 

You certainly can fuse the winch if you want to. See the link below. (I know nothing of the company--it was just the first sight that showed the fuses and holders I'm familiar with. There are other brands and other places to buy these fuses.)

50 ANN - ANL - CNL DC Fuses & Fuse Blocks

If you want to run anything for the winch through an upfitter switch, you'll need to use the switch to control a heavy duty solenoid.