Harbor Freight Hack! Cheap Wireless Winching

Who doesn't love a Harbor Freight Hack!? The new Badland APEX winch remote is designed to use on the new APEX winch series, or as a retrofit to the current and older Badland vehicle winches with 5-pin connector. But what if you have a sturdy old Warn, Ramsey, Superwinch, or other winch that you'd love to control wirelessly? Let us show you how to hack this inexpensive wireless remote to work flawlessly with ANY winch!
This remote has proved to be low-latency (no delay), it has very good range, and connects instantly. The only drawback is that it does not have a simple wired function to use this remote in a wired capacity also. The battery life is great, but I carry two spare CR-2032 Lithium cells with me just in case.

I'll show you how to wire and mount this little receiver, as well as utilize a modern DC Contactor (solid state winch controller, or Albright switch), which you can use to replace the big solenoid pack your winch may have come equipped with originally. Total for this setup cost me a little over $100 with the electrical connectors and heat shrink tube. Links for the items used can be found below!

HF Winch Remote

DC Contactor

Heat Shrink

22-16 Gauge Terminals

16-14 Gauge Terminals

If a BleepinJeep video has ever helped you consider returning the favor by:

*This product is meant for entertainment purposes only. Your mileage may vary. Do not try this at home. Void where prohibited. Some assembly required. For off-road use only. Slippery when wet. Batteries not included. Do not use while operating a motor vehicle, heavy equipment, cherokee XJ, wrangler TJ, wrangler JK, or any Jeep vehicle, especially the newer Fiat ones. How-to videos may be too intense for some viewers and children under 30 years of age. Please remain seated until the 4x4 ride has come to a complete stop. Studies have shown viewing these videos causes increased cancer risks in laboratory test people. I am not a professional, I have no training, I'm not even particularly good at horse whispering. Don't believe everything that you know. Please keep your hands in the vehicle at all times. Do not tap on glass. Do not eat anything that has been on the floor for more than 3 days. Keep your hands to yourself. Not to be taken internally. Reproduction strictly prohibited. Driver does not carry cash. Objects in Bleepinjeep mirrors may be farther than they appear.*

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[TheShunaenae]

I just want to say. Thanks for the video on the Apex. Wireless remote, your video is the only one on youtube that you've already figured out the pins. Thanks again

[LogicBob]

This is pretty cool and all, but I'm so stoked just to learn that I can replace those solenoids with that little box!

[mjenner]

Man, I'm really considering the DC contactor now just to save some space when it's time for a winch. Thanks!

[shark]

I was just wondering on Saturday if there was any way to do something like this! I appreciate the crap out of the

[BIGTRUCK.]

I love that vo switch I bought one and wired it in my 2016 f150.

[scottnichols]

I like harbor fright badland zxr winches because They are really good for what they do the cost is awesome And I had great experience with harbor fright badland winches

[trashandtrail]

Totally replacing the solenoids on my late 80s M12000.

[JackAFlint]

Conformal coating or epoxy dipping the circuit board inside the remote should waterproof it.

[alans]

You really need to get a good roll over crimper, they make such a better connection. You can get a Klein 3005CR for under $30 (just one example), you won't be disappointed.

[DestDroid]

Man this would've helped a whole lot when I was installing my winch. Had never used one of those contactors before and could not find anything about what went to what like the diagram in the video.

[alia]

awesome video mate, thanks for putting it together.

I was wondering if I can just put a jumper between the switched and constant pins inside the module so that as soon as you plug in the module to the winch, you're good to go.

Edit: I answered my own question and the answer is NO. I blew a diode on the PCB by doing this. Turns out that the Warn pinout doesn't match HF pinout so I'm not able to simply plug the HF wireless module onto the Warn solenoid pack connector. Back to the drawing board.

[petemcl]

Looks like a good solution but I do wonder about the durability of the wireless receiver connectors. You did a good job with what you had but they could have made that a bit more robust and easier to hook up. Also the remote control should be a bit more waterproof and rugged. You know that is going to bounce around inside the Jeep so how durable is it? I guess your can do a followup after using it for a while.

[jakeestrada]

Just installed mine on. You think it's fine to just leave on there? I mean the leaving the receiver on there while daily driving ? Then leave remote In truck ?

[Points]

I ended up just opening mine and using gasket sealer and then gasket sealer around the outside seam and zip tied it to the winch Incase it falls off I won't lose it it already comes water resistant submerged 4 feet up to 30mins don't know why they couldn't come up with some way to lock the wireless adapter to the winch that's why I zip tied it Incase it rattles loose.

[tedz]

What to you do if the wireless controller runs out of batteries or malfunctions? Most which wireless setups have a wired backup .

[FlawedOffroad]

parts jeep in my driveway has one of these wireless deals on it, i might have to look into it

[jimwoodring]

Hi I was wondering where u where located. Not to be a creeper but I swear I saw a yellow xj looked just like yours in PA near cabelas on 61. Keep up the great work and videos. Your build is awesome!

[TheSnup]

Нормально так! Привет из России, мы тут тоже на ваших джипах гоняем 👍

[johnburkett]

What are the wheels on that Cherokee off of and what size are they?

[davidcadenhead]

Just out of curiosity. The remote receiver could it not just plug right into the winch where the controller normally goes? I understand you want it to do a remote system but just asking.