converting controller to wireless remote

[ether bunny]

I'm trying to convert a winch controller to a wireless remote. The controller has a three position switch where pressing down causes the winch to pay out cable, neutral disengages the winch, and pressing up makes it wind in cable. I've seen some wireless controllers for other winches but not for my model, and I'd rather not buy a new winch just to get the controller (which is also about $200 w/o winch.) Is there a fairly easy and inexpensive solution? Thanks.

 

[ether bunny]

The winch is 115 v AC.

 

[colin55]

Buy a $10.00 remote-control toy car. It has forward/reverse left/ right and a range of 50 metres.

Take the outputs from the receiver circuit to additional transistors or relays for the features you require.

The remote control car to look for has RX-2B as the receiver which is a 5-function chip. The Tx operates from 3v.
All the outputs are separate and can be connected to relays to do almost anything you want.

 

[ether bunny]

Thanks. I'm totally clueless about how to go about modifying the winch controller. Any guidance you can give me about where to start learning what I'll have to do would also be welcome.

 

[colin55]

You would have to start by looking at the buttons.

Then get a relay and connect the contacts to the switch and power the relay from a 9v battery.
If this works the winch, you have successfully interfaced your first switch.

 

[ether bunny]

Thanks, Colin. Time to get my hands dirty.