Abstract: Winches with dual mode remote controls, and associated systems and methods are disclosed. A representative winch can include a frame, a cable drum rotatably supported by the frame, a drive motor operatively connected to the cable drum, and a winch control module. The winch control module can include an enable/disable circuit having a normally open ground path connection and a controller having wireless capability connected to the enable/disable circuit. The controller can include instructions to disable the wireless capability of the controller when the normally open ground path connection is completed.

Abstract: Winches with integrated lighting, and associated systems and methods are disclosed. A representative winch with integrated lighting can include a frame, a cable drum rotatably supported by the frame, a drive motor operatively connected to the cable drum, and an electrical module. The electrical module can include a housing with first and second end caps coupled to the housing. An elongate light guide can be mounted to the housing between the housing and the cable drum with one or more drum light sources connected to the elongate light guide.

Abstract: A winch controller with automatic shut-off, and associated systems and methods are disclosed. A representative winch can include a frame, a cable drum carried by the frame, a drive motor connected to the cable drum, and a winch control module. The control module can include an enable/disable circuit having a normally open ground path connection and a controller having wireless capability. The controller can include instructions to start a shut-off timer when the ground path connection is completed for a non-zero period of time less than a threshold time period and instructions to reset the shut-off timer when the controller receives a control signal from a wireless remote control prior to the shut-off timer expiring. The controller can also include instructions to turn off the controller when the shut-off timer expires prior to receiving a control signal from the remote control or when the ground path is subsequently completed.

Abstract: Winches with dual mode remote controls, and associated systems and methods are disclosed. A representative winch can include a frame, a cable drum rotatably supported by the frame, a drive motor operatively connected to the cable drum, and a winch control module. The winch control module can include an enable/disable circuit having a normally open ground path connection and a controller having wireless capability connected to the enable/disable circuit. The controller can include instructions to disable the wireless capability of the controller when the normally open ground path connection is completed.

Abstract: Motor control modules with multiple potted sub-modules, and associated systems and methods are disclosed. A representative electric motor control module can include a potted contactor module, a potted controller module at least partially nested inside the contactor module and mechanically connected to the contactor module, and one or more connectors positioned between and electrically connecting the contactor module and the controller module.

Abstract: Winches with integrated lighting, and associated systems and methods are disclosed. A representative winch with integrated lighting can include a frame, a cable drum rotatably supported by the frame, a drive motor operatively connected to the cable drum, and an electrical module. The electrical module can include a housing with first and second end caps coupled to the housing. An elongate light guide can be mounted to the housing between the housing and the cable drum with one or more drum light sources connected to the elongate light guide.

Abstract: Accessory mounting systems, and methods therefor are disclosed. A representative accessory mounting system can include a winch and one or more accessories coupled to the winch. The winch can include a frame mountable to a vehicle, a cable drum rotatably supported by the frame, a drive motor operatively connected to the cable drum, and one or more mounting elements carried by the frame. The accessories can be removably coupled to the one or more mounting elements.

Abstract: A vehicle winch side-mount system including a platform and a winch mounting structure configured to engage a mount of a winching device. The vehicle winch side-mount system is configured to be retained by the weight a vehicle tire.

Abstract: A winch includes a rotatable drum. A cable is wound onto the drum in one rotative direction and off the drum in a second rotative direction. A sealed axial flux permanent magnet drive motor includes a drive shaft selectively rotated by the motor in either direction of rotation. A gear train interconnects the drive shaft and the drum for rotatably driving the drum at a reduced rotative speed relative to the motor shaft. The motor can apply regenerative braking. A spring-applied electric release brake is connected to the drive shaft to apply a braking force to prevent rotation of the drum. A connecting shaft connects the gear train to the rotatable drum. The connecting shaft includes axially spaced splines that reduce the disparity in the gear train and drum centerlines to thereby reduce gyration therebetween. The drum can be made partially from carbon fiber to reduce the weight thereof.