Connecting Warn winch to battery?

[Blue Spark]

I bought a Warn EVO 10 winch for my 2022 Badlands and I'm not sure of the best way to attach the positive lead to the battery. Is there a way to attach the lead without bending the connector or removing the red cover over the positive post? I've never had a car with a bus bar attached to the battery the way it is on my Bronco. It's new to me. I know this should be obvious but I don't see it.
Thanks in advance.

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[F OR D]

nothing. pick a lead and use it. i used the open one and applied a nut to secure.

 

[Razorbak86]

I bought a Warn EVO 10 winch for my 2022 Badlands and I'm not sure of the best way to attach the positive lead to the battery. Is there a way to attach the lead without bending the connector or removing the red cover over the positive post? I've never had a car with a bus bar attached to the battery the way it is on my Bronco. It's new to me. I know this should be obvious but I don't see it.
Thanks in advance.

You should be looking for 45-degree or 90-degree ring terminals to fit under the red plastic cover. If your winch power cables are 2 AWG, then something like these would probably work…

https://www.amazon.com/Fastronix-Degree-Tinned-Copper-Gauge/dp/B07ZCB1HLQ
https://www.amazon.com/Fastronix-Degree-Tinned-Copper-Gauge/dp/B07ZCBJYR7

 

[F OR D]

did you test fit the open lead? there is more room and if you have slack it should fit. see what you're saying about the cover and length of the connector.

personally i wouldn't cut the warn cable to add a different connecter. worst case i would cut the cover or figure out a way to hold the cover as close as possible.

 

[chtucker]

You should be looking for 45-degree or 90-degree ring terminals to fit under the red plastic cover. If your winch power cables are 2 AWG, then something like these would probably work…

https://www.amazon.com/Fastronix-Degree-Tinned-Copper-Gauge/dp/B07ZCB1HLQ
https://www.amazon.com/Fastronix-Degree-Tinned-Copper-Gauge/dp/B07ZCBJYR7

The 90degree worked perfectly for mine. Cut off the old, crimped, heatshrinked and it looks factory. Bending the stock warn significantly weakens the terminal. Leaving it straight out makes for an unsupported wire.

It is always best to not double up terminal lugs.. Use the vacant spot.

 

[Blue Spark]

I really appreciate the help. Thanks a lot!
I understand the concern with cutting the Warn cable but that seems to be the best solution to this problem. I'll crimp the 90 degree terminal, heat shrink it, and see how it works.
Thanks again.

 

[Roger123]

What's the issue with just bending the Warn terminal?

 

[Tilzbow]

What's the issue with just bending the Warn terminal?

No issue at all and that’s exactly what I did. It took seconds to bend it to 90 degrees with a pair of pliers, then I attached it to the open bottom connector in the OP’s picture.

 

[Dmorty217]

I would get one of these so you don’t accidentally end up with a dead battery

6-foot Quick Disconnect Winch Power Cable for Any Standard Size Winch 2 GA Wire (0.364) https://a.co/d/c59cdZv

 

[Roger123]

No issue at all and that’s exactly what I did. It took seconds to bend it to 90 degrees with a pair of pliers, then I attached it to the open bottom connector in the OP’s picture.

K, that's what I just did with my ARB compressor as well. wasn't sure if there was something specific to the Warn terminal that I was missing.

 

[Blue Spark]

Bending it probably works fine but I think I'll buy the 90 degree terminal and crimp it. Thanks.

 

[chtucker]

What's the issue with just bending the Warn terminal?

It weakens the metal and potentially could break over time because of vibration. When I looked at mine, the length didn't seem like it would be right. For under $10 , it is cheap insurance to do it right the first time.

 

[kevin.gt]

I would get one of these so you don’t accidentally end up with a dead battery

6-foot Quick Disconnect Winch Power Cable for Any Standard Size Winch 2 GA Wire (0.364) https://a.co/d/c59cdZv

at that price I’d be shocked if it was solid copper. I’m guessing cca. Some of the review pictures show the cables melted. I wouldn’t use them for high amp winch purposes

 

[Roger123]

It weakens the metal and potentially could break over time because of vibration. When I looked at mine, the length didn't seem like it would be right. For under $10 , it is cheap insurance to do it right the first time.

How do they bend the ones you buy pre-bent without weakening the metal?

 

[dgorsett]

I bent mine about 45 degrees and put a wing nut on the terminal. That way I leave it disconnected most the time and just hook it up with the wing nut when needed. I did this with the winch lead on my 05 LJ as well worked well for 15 years.

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