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General Forums => The Mess Hall => Topic started by: sharpxmen on February 20, 2011, 11:01:11 AM
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I am in the process of building a switch panel, I am looking for feedback on what should i plan for (ideas of what switches to have on the panel).
so far I am planning for these (they are all SPST switches except for #5):
1. front locker ON/OFF
2. rear locker ON/OFF
3. spot ligths ON/OFF
4. Winch ON/OFF
5. Winch IN/OFF/OUT (Momentary ON - OFF - Momentary ON)
6. radiator fan AUTO(on)/OFF/Manual(on)
7. Sway Bar Disconnect
what other switches you have on your panel?
I am planning to use toggle switches with shuttle style guards to prevent accidental trip like these
(http://www.periheliondesign.com/switchguardsfiles/OldNASAguards.gif)
and make an engraved faceplate to which these would mount on
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I am in the process of building a switch panel, I am looking for feedback on what should i plan for (ideas of what switches to have on the panel).
so far I am planning for these (they are all SPST switches except for #5):
1. front locker ON/OFF
2. rear locker ON/OFF
3. spot ligths ON/OFF
4. Winch ON/OFF
5. Winch IN/OFF/OUT (Momentary ON - OFF - Momentary ON)
6. radiator fan AUTO(on)/OFF/Manual(on)
7. Sway Bar Disconnect
what other switches you have on your panel?
I am planning to use toggle switches with shuttle style guards to prevent accidental trip like these
(http://www.periheliondesign.com/switchguardsfiles/OldNASAguards.gif)
and make an engraved faceplate to which these would mount on
Air Compressor ON/OFF
Driving Lights ON/OFF
Back-up Lights ON/OFF
Rock Lights ON/OFF
If you change your mind on switches Sharp check these out, http://www.otrattw.com/products.php?cat=5
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Air Compressor ON/OFF
Driving Lights ON/OFF
Back-up Lights ON/OFF
Rock Lights ON/OFF
If you change your mind on switches Sharp check these out, http://www.otrattw.com/products.php?cat=5
air compressor - dunno how i missed that one :lol: thanks for that :thumb: (I guess that's why i'm asking)
so now I'm at
1. front locker ON/OFF
2. rear locker ON/OFF
3. spot ligths ON/OFF
4. Winch ON/OFF
5. Winch IN/OFF/OUT (Momentary ON - OFF - Momentary ON)
6. radiator fan AUTO(on)/OFF/Manual(on)
7. Air Compressor ON/OFF
8. Sway Bar Disconnect ON/OFF
I will keep the driving lights (stock ones) on the stock switch, backup lights on the reverse gear switch (although i am thinking an override might be useful). Didn't consider installing rock lights.
that was the initial plan to use some rocker switches like the ones you posted the link for, but i could not come up with a solution for installing them so they don't stick out like a sore thumb out of my flat gauge panel, that's how i came up with the toggle switches. On the plus side they look more rugged
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I do not have stock driving lights, mine are after market and to be legal in BC must be wired to come on and off with the high beams through a relay when I have the switch on.
I have additional back-up lights which come on with reverse but can also be turned on with a switch, both ways operate a relay for the additional lights.
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this is what i have in mind for the panel
(http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g222/sharpxmen/Misc/Switch_Panel.jpg)
EDIT: Photobucket Resized and it looks like cr@p
here's a better view
(http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g222/sharpxmen/Misc/Switch_Panel_Zoom.jpg)
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here's another version of the same thing, different fonts and has mounting holes
(http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g222/sharpxmen/Misc/Switch_Panel_B.jpg)
same deal with the resizing makes it look fuzzy but here's a zoom
(http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g222/sharpxmen/Misc/Switch_Panel_B_Zoom.jpg)
I also want to add LEDs or some sort of lights so it's visible when they are on, didn't decide which ones to use yet so i didn't mark the holes for those but they would be opposite to the ON/OFF writing. Am thinking of having also a light to display when the actual device is on for like the RadiatorFan or the air compressor and that would be rather centered than offset.
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That looks good Sharp! I like it.
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Thanks,
Unfortunately those would not fit, so i had to make it less wide and less tall, this one fits - not as nice as far as fonts but there's no space for outlines so just going with regular in-fill
(http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g222/sharpxmen/Misc/Switch_Panel_v4b.jpg)
EDIT: only problem is the cost of this panel
Just ran an estimation on it and it comes to $82 with engravings and in-fill color or $68 for just printed graphics - either way not cheap
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Thanks,
Unfortunately those would not fit, so i had to make it less wide and less tall, this one fits - not as nice as far as fonts but there's no space for outlines so just going with regular in-fill
(http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g222/sharpxmen/Misc/Switch_Panel_v4b.jpg)
EDIT: only problem is the cost of this panel
Just ran an estimation on it and it comes to $82 with engravings and in-fill color or $68 for just printed graphics - either way not cheap
If you are going to do it, engrave it; it will last MUCH longer, and look MUCH better!
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You could also buy letter stamps, not as s[iffy but a lot more durable
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You could also buy letter stamps, not as s[iffy but a lot more durable
you mean punch letters/numbers? (let me know if that's what you meant)
the $82 version would have CNC milled letters and graphics (lines) that would be in-filled with white paint. the panel is anodized and CNC machined so i would think that would be durable enough, not cheap but it's a one-time expense, so i don't think or see any long term issues.
If you are going to do it, engrave it; it will last MUCH longer, and look MUCH better!
the printed graphics I agree, they won't last, so that's not an option i like (and for $15 difference not really worth it so it will be engraved)
Still need to figure out what lights or LEDs to use, I will probably have to change things around a bit but I think this last version is probably good enough for mockup. I will print it on plain paper, cut it and check how it looks on my gauge panel, i need to add an air pressure gauge in there as well so that's limiting the size.
the other option is to have it installed under the dash which would give me more room for gauges (I would want an oil temp gauge as well and there's no room for that if I keep the switch panel in there). I guess i'll have to print those 2 versions out on paper and see how they fit.
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Now, the big question is, do you do the panel for what you have, or do you leave room for what you might add? For example, I have 2 sets of AUX lights, and I may ad a backup light as well... I have a space for the backup light, but it means the fan switch needs relocating.
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Now, the big question is, do you do the panel for what you have, or do you leave room for what you might add? For example, I have 2 sets of AUX lights, and I may ad a backup light as well... I have a space for the backup light, but it means the fan switch needs relocating.
if it ends up on the gauge panel then there's no extra room anyway, if it goes under the dash (below heater controls and radio area) then i might make a mount for it with a few blanks to be able to add single ones separate (so just make a single slot switch panel same style). I wouldn't just leave a hole in there, then i'd try to find a purpose for it.
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As far as led's to light it,why not use switches that light up when they are on? I have em in mine, different colored so I can tell which is which(besides the obvious floods),although in your case you would end up with alot of different colors.
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As far as led's to light it,why not use switches that light up when they are on? I have em in mine, different colored so I can tell which is which(besides the obvious floods),although in your case you would end up with alot of different colors.
I was looking at those and were front runners at first glance, but then while i was laying out the design i realized 2 things
1 - just like you said not that many colors available, and if i would use different colors would look like a Christmas tree.
2 - i would end up with a combination of led switches and plain switches since i have 2 and 3 position switches in there
so I figured go old school and have the lights separate.
One thing that just occurred to me is that i won't be able to see the panel at night :yikes:
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Engrave the titles all the way through, paint the metal white inside the cut, and put a dash light behind it?
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Engrave the titles all the way through, paint the metal white inside the cut, and put a dash light behind it?
how do you do that for ON, OFF, OUT, AUTO, LOCK - all the Os and center of the A would fall out. Same for the titles, don't even want to think how Radiator or Front Locker would look like (add lowercase e to the list) :lol:
I was thinking painted plexy and milled out letters and lines + a few super bright LEDs behind the panel, but these guys don't offer that option unfortunately
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how do you do that for ON, OFF, OUT, AUTO, LOCK - all the Os and center of the A would fall out. Same for the titles, don't even want to think how Radiator or Front Locker would look like (add lowercase e to the list) :lol:
I was thinking painted plexy and milled out letters and lines + a few super bright LEDs behind the panel, but these guys don't offer that option unfortunately
I guess I didn't think that one through before posting. Glow paint would work for about 20 minutes. Maybe a couple of strategically mounted LEDs on the front, similar to a maplight. My wife has one for her Nook so she can read at night. You wouldn't need much to illuminate the white letters against the black background, and if they're pointed at the panel, they wouldn't disrupt your vision while driving.
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I hate the look of switches with built-in LED's. That's why I always use the big toggle switches. They are fairly compact, at least on the switch side and look clean. They have a nice feel to them as well. You won't have to worry about breaking them either. Not to mention being able to use VAC switches. VDC switches are a bit harder to come by if you want nice ones that don't feel cheap.
If you want LED's you can always wire a small LED for each. It's easy since LED's can be small but are bright enough to easily be seen.
I'd go with laser engraved as it's a hell of a lot nicer then having to punch letters. Although I left mine blank. I'll probably use a labeler as it's the Race-Spec way of doing it. :lol:
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I just have some auto start small ones on the dash that control the relays to witch i want controlled.
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I went ahead and ordered the switch guards, the toggle switches and the leds, switches and leds were $17 (altogether and that is with a few extra spare switches and leds) from MPJA online - all switches are rated at 15A/125v, switch guards were pricey (10 pieces at $3/guard) but the shipping was free so not that bad really.
this is how the switches look like
(http://www.mpja.com/images/16081.jpg)
EDIT: not going to use the On/Off plate, that will go in the garbage
I will have 6 SPDT On-On (will only use 1 throw but chose these as it doesn't matter the position I will have 1 set of poles connected so i don't have to worry how the holes in the panel are cut), 1 of the SPDT Momentary-Off-Momentary and 1 of the SPDT On-Off-On
i decided to go with bright LEDs that are white body and will light up different colors. there's not much room behind the panel to install miniature lamps as it will hit the body of the switch so really i have no option other than making it wider which would mess up my plan as where to install it. I'll post an updated design later with the LED holes in it (i'll use a drop of glue to keep them in and bend the terminals to clear the body of the toggle switches).
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this is the final version (I hope)
(http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g222/sharpxmen/JeepSwitchPanelv4c_LED.jpg)
top row of LEDs would be red, bottom ones green and yellow for the monitor LEDs on Air compressor (on when the clutch would be engaged), Radiator Fan (would light up when fan turns on) and Sway bar disconnect (would turn on when disconnected not when the switch is in the ON position)
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Looks awesome. Hope you're better than I am at taming all those wires. There looks to be a lot of them.
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You probably don't need LED's on the momentary since it will spring back to OFF naturally.
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You probably don't need LED's on the momentary since it will spring back to OFF naturally.
you're right, but just wanted to be consistent with the other ones
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ok, another shot at the final version, this is 8.4'' wide (the other one was 8'') and a couple of minor changes. I got the switches and LEDs today, switch guards earlier this week - i'll take some pics of those as well sometime and post them. Just need to place the order for the panel now and embark on the wiring mission afterwards :baby:
(http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g222/sharpxmen/JeepSwitchPanelvFinal.jpg)