Winch remote over-heated?

Tim_with_the_tj

TJ Enthusiast
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Vancouver, WA
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I’m new to winches and didn’t find much info on this problem I experienced. First time using this winch (was on the Jeep at time I purchased) and it appears to have melted part of the remote wire. It still works, but I’m not liking how it looks.

I only used it to winch my buddy’s Tacoma out of the ditch in snow. No big deal. Very uneventful. I figured this Smittybilt XRC 9500 should drag his Tacoma out no problem and it did.

What would cause this? There was no way it could’ve been pinched in the spool, so it’s not that.
 
There is only a very (!) small amount of current passing through the remote, even an extended pull wouldn't normally cause that. Definitely just a faulty part.

The bigger issue is getting it replaced by Smittybilt who isn't known for stocking replacement parts.
 
I agree Jerry. There isn’t enough current there. Just curious is it could have been close to something that does get real hot. Heat probably came from an external source.
 
Do you have a pic of your winch?
How long were you winching?
There is only a very (!) small amount of current passing through the remote, even an extended pull wouldn't normally cause that. Definitely just a faulty part.

The bigger issue is getting it replaced by Smittybilt who isn't known for stocking replacement parts.
Wasn’t winching very long at all. Tacoma came out easily. I could post a pic of the winch, but it’s nothing to see really.

I already got a replacement remote delivered today. Got it from Amazon, in stock.
 
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I agree Jerry. There isn’t enough current there. Just curious is it could have been close to something that does get real hot. Heat probably came from an external source.

If you look at where the melted section is you’ll see how it rules out coming into contact with much. I’m not sure. It was in the glove box before this and I’m pretty confident it wasn’t melted before the recovery.
 
I would take a moment and pull the control pack cover and make sure there is nothing bare or touching where it should not.
 
You sure you didn't just overlook the previous owner left the wire somewhere and it got damaged. A short would show some damage the entire length of wire and that damage is clearly in one spot.
 
You sure you didn't just overlook the previous owner left the wire somewhere and it got damaged. A short would show some damage the entire length of wire and that damage is clearly in one spot.
It is really weird. I would usually notice something like this and I took a look at the winch remote a while back. There is a chance I just overlooked some existing damage. I figured I’d ask here since I don’t wanna have the same thing happen to my new winch remote.