<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by DRTYFN:
After seeing an RA bumper up close I totally understand your predicament.RA didn't address the issue of proper solenoid placement so the customer is faced with where to zip-tie it. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>I've talked with them extensively about the solenoid situation. It was certainly addressed and readdressed many many times.
There solution entails mounting the winch between the frame points that support the bumper. The solenoid cannot be integrated into the winch from any of the current models offered that I've seen. The MileMarker hydrualics with integrated solenoids are off to the side which will not fit in between the frame mounts, has nothing to do with the bumper itself.
The MM, Warn, etc... Electric winches ask that you place the Solenoid on top of the winch. In order to accomplish this, you would need to lower the winch down to a point that the approach angle of the H2 would be comprimised. If you leave the winch at it's current hight, you would not be able to open the hood of the H2.
Instead they have gone with the remote solenoid versions that allow you to put them anywhere. Maybe the ones you saw weren't placed correctly, but I don't feel that could be faulted to the manufacturer of the bumper.
I considered mounting mine inside the cab in the center console. That way I could plug the remote in from inside the cab, and have control over the kill switch. But I'm way too lazy to run that much cable, and loose my junk drawer.
Instead I found a sweet spot to mount it under the hood using the factory supplied plate and without drilling into anything.
The only problem with this solution would be the hassle of opening the hood to hook up the remote.
But thankfully for less than $100 you can buy a wireless remote from MM, that will not only keep me from having to hook up a remote, it will also give me the kill switch inside the cab.
All in all it's turned out to be an excellent solution.
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>I would suggest attaching the two grounds to the bottom of the winch then mounting it, finish wiring it and then placing the solenoid somewhere close so that you have some slack in the wires. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>I think Phil nailed the solution for this one. I just need to put quick disconnects in between the wiring from the winch to the solenoid. This way the wiring can remain neat and tight, and when I need to drop the bumper I just open the hood and pop the quick disconnects. No muss, No fuss
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>I've got pictures of the RA set up if you'd like to see what I saw. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Once I'm actually finished I'll post photo's of my install.
I'd love to see the ones you have taken.
Whose truck did you take pictures of? It was probably whoever installed thier winch that jacked up the install. I called Road Armor for pictures of installation pictures and found out they hadn't done any winch installation. That in of itself was a bit annoying and disappointing.
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Don't get the Optima yet. Wrangler NW is going to have a dual battery system within 2 weeks. Very trick setup. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>Really? Any pictures? What are the benefits to the setup?
I'm at a complete loss when it comes to automotive electronics. I do know that I'm going to be running a winch and close to 15 PIAA's when all is said and done, and I'm a bit worried about the battery drain.