I haven't done this. I don't even have a winch, but the electronics should be dead simple. Across the output terminals of each solenoid, put an LED with an appropriately sized dropping resistor in series. When the solenoid is closed, or welded shut, the LED will be off. When the solenoid is open, or at least a fairly high resistance, the LED will light. The dropping resistors have to be sized for the case where one solenoid is closed, otherwise the LED on the open solenoid would burn out. When both solenoids are open (normal power off condition) both LEDs would be on, but at reduced output. With one solenoid open and one closed, the LED on the closed solenoid would be unlit and the one on the open solenoid would be brightly lit.
Parts should be less than $5, even at Radio Shack. (Assumes you already have rosin cored solder and a soldering iron.) If interested, and you don't know how to figure the dropping resistor value, contact me. The math is simple, but I don't have time to write it out just now. Mark Holm [EMAIL PROTECTED] > factor when someone asked: "How do you know if one solenoid > hasn't already > welded shut and you are running on one?" > > ? > > Not a clue. I presume someone on the list has already faced this problem > and has a working detector for monitoring dual series solenoids on a > typical winch. Any comments/suggestions most welcome. Mark Holm [EMAIL PROTECTED] RCSE-List facilities provided by Model Airplane News. Send "subscribe" and "unsubscribe" requests to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Please note that subscribe and unsubscribe messages must be sent in text only format with MIME turned off.
