I am trying to rewire the switch for my winch, the old one is going out.
- Already bought two push button momentary on/off switches.

I'm not sure how/if I can use these switches as a replacement.

I have attached a homemade diagram of how the old switch works.



The 'Out' button connects {+Batt to +Motor} & {-Ground to -Motor}
The 'In' button connects {+Batt to -Motor} & {-Ground to +Motor}
---The are just reversed.

Any ideas? Thanks

Your push buttons need to be double pole to make this circuit work, other wise you would need two IN buttons and two OUT buttons. What worries me more is if you would press both buttons at the same time it would be a direct short of the battery.

That's what I was thinking. I guess I start looking for different switches or a different way to wire it.

Other winches I've seen have a 'remote' switch. But I like the way this one is wired into the dash.

I never thought about pushing both buttons on accident. That would be a BIG problem. There is no fuse on this circuit!

Switches, do they control a relay?

I would not think a switch was made that could handle the current a winch has.

Myself, one relay is DPDT and controls in or out, push button in for IN, leave alone for OUT

Another relay SPST normally off controls on or off, Push button to make winch work.

No way to go both ways at one time.

and do get a fuse (or auto reset circuit breaker) close to the battery for the winch power, a wire shorted can make fire........

That would have to be one heck of a big fuse!

Some very basic winches have pushbutton switches and no relay--but they are very HD switches.


I've never used this type of winch but I would assume the switches are mechanically interlocked so you can't push both at same time.
Personally I don't trust these switches to last long with frequent use. Best idea would be to install a winch relay and then you can control the relay with any kind of light duty switches.

The switches do not control a relay. The heavy guage power line from the battery runs straight to the switch. The new switches I purchased (won't work) will handle 60amps.

Not Really, see the chart attached for fuse rating compared to wire gauge.

Then you go to a Car Audio Store and buy your BIG fuse and fuse holder (auto resetting circuit breaker is better idea). I have installed 300 amp fuses in some Car systems I have done in the past, Fork lift fuses are what they really are.