Even with no load on the cable it would get that hot? I know I've winched my Jeep for alot longer than 30-45 seconds and it never got as hot or stopped like his winch did last night.
I'm just going on what yall are saying.
Is it hot to touch, or to hot to touch?
If it just stops, there's another issue, not just charging or load. Those are definitely things to keep an eye on though.
I have the test procedure for warn motors. I would start by testing the motor.
Disconnect the leads from the battery.
Label and disconnect the three cables that run from the solenoids to the posts on the motor. A, F1, F2
Run a 4ga jumper between "A" & "F1". Use a set of jumper cables to connect the battery ground to the motor, and battery positive to "F2". The winch motor should spin.
Switch the 4 ga jumper to posts "A" & "F2". Use a set of jumper cables to connect the battery ground to the motor, and battery positive to "F1". The winch motor should spin.
If the motor spins in both directions is good!
Move on to testing the solenoids.