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What have you done for your Frontier today/lately?

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#52,602 ·
Finally installed a switch panel: Subproject Power Move
Image

Custom bracket for the relay panel attached to the air box, and one for the circuit breaker (not shown)

Image

Merely stuck the controller to the center console for now. It'll probably stay there...no drilling required.

Then Installed some ditch lights: Subproject Then on the 1,316th day, I created more light!


Have a grteat weekend everyone
 
#52,604 ·
spent $35 on a tool to do a one-time job because I can't rent the tool for three days, hopefully I can get the wiring for my lights finished up this weekend, bought a very unusual Deutsch plug and had to buy the tool for putting the pins together, ask if I could rent one for the weekend, but someone stole their rental tool. Funny thing, the store knows where I work, who my boss is, the company has a house account with a $5,000 credit limit, so they know if I swipe the tool they can simply back charge the company, who in turn will deduct the cost from my check, but no, they didn't want to open a new package.
 
#52,605 ·
Colo.Frontier said:
spent $35 on a tool to do a one-time job because I can't rent the tool for three days, hopefully I can get the wiring for my lights finished up this weekend, bought a very unusual Deutsch plug and had to buy the tool for putting the pins together, ask if I could rent one for the weekend, but someone stole their rental tool. Funny thing, the store knows where I work, who my boss is, the company has a house account with a $5,000 credit limit, so they know if I swipe the tool they can simply back charge the company, who in turn will deduct the cost from my check, but no, they didn't want to open a new package.
Click to expand...
That special crimping tool?
 
#52,606 ·
California Gator said:
Finally installed a switch panel: Subproject Power Move
View attachment 416385
Custom bracket for the relay panel attached to the air box, and one for the circuit breaker (not shown)

View attachment 416386
Merely stuck the controller to the center console for now. It'll probably stay there...no drilling required.

Then Installed some ditch lights: Subproject Then on the 1,316th day, I created more light!
View attachment 416387

Have a grteat weekend everyone
Click to expand...
Nice! Wiring is always challenging to do cleanly. Is that a "wireless" switch panel? Meaning the wire attached to it is just for power to the panel? I've been looking at those for a similar project.
 
#52,607 ·
@Suprtek said:
Nice! Wiring is always challenging to do cleanly. Is that a "wireless" switch panel? Meaning the wire attached to it is just for power to the panel? I've been looking at those for a similar project.
Click to expand...
Oops. If I paid attention to your provided links I could have answered my own question. Looks like a well made kit. I'm lazier than you though. I've been looking at wireless switch panels so I don't have to go through the firewall.
 
#52,608 · (Edited)
@Suprtek said:
Oops. If I paid attention to your provided links I could have answered my own question. Looks like a well made kit. I'm lazier than you though. I've been looking at wireless switch panels so I don't have to go through the firewall.
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It's all good.

My frugalness overcomes my laziness. I didn't even get the one with the phone app. KISS and all that.

the 4 switch controller is actually not as good a deal as the 6 and even 8 switch controller. Sometimes those are actually on sale for less than the 4 switch. But I just couldn't figure out why I would need more switches. So then my frugalness was overcome by practicality.

Yeah, the kit seems pretty solid and I'm still surprised by the stuff that came with the kit. But four of these kits is still less than a single Switch Pros. And there was another higher-end brand that was about 2x or 3x this unit. I figure living in So Cal, the weather should promote decent life. and I only go out maybe four times a year. Only time will tell if it's tough enough.
 
#52,610 ·
California Gator said:
It's all good.

My furgalness overcomes my laziness. I didn't even get the one with the phone app. KISS and all that.

the 4 switch controller is actually not as good a deal as the 6 and even 8 switch controller. Sometimes those are actually on sale for less than the 4 switch. But I just couldn't figure out why I would need more switches. So then my frugalness was overcome by practicality.

Yeah, the kit seems pretty solid and I'm still surprised by the stuff that came with the kit. But four of these kits is still less than a single Switch Pros. And there was another higher-end brand that was about 2x or 3x this unit. I figure living in So Cal, the weather should promote decent life. and I only go out maybe four times a year. Only time will tell if it's tough enough.
Click to expand...
Here's the one I was looking at. The only concern I have about it is it's lack of reviews but its only around 50 bucks. I figure if I have issues, all the wiring will already be done for it's replacement with a better wireless unit. Amazon.com: MNJ MOTOR 6 Gang Wireless Switch Panel - Multifunction Offroad Switches with 4 Light Memory Function, Toggle Switches Universal Circuit Control Relay System Switch Box for Boat Truck SUV ATV UTV Car : Automotive
 
#52,612 ·
@Suprtek said:
Here's the one I was looking at. The only concern I have about it is it's lack of reviews but its only around 50 bucks. I figure if I have issues, all the wiring will already be done for it's replacement with a better wireless unit. Amazon.com: MNJ MOTOR 6 Gang Wireless Switch Panel - Multifunction Offroad Switches with 4 Light Memory Function, Toggle Switches Universal Circuit Control Relay System Switch Box for Boat Truck SUV ATV UTV Car : Automotive
Click to expand...
Man, that's inexpensive. I'd almost be worried that it's cheap. How can the cost be that low?!?!

The only other issue I have with wireless is needing batteries. Seems like whenever I really need something to work the batteries are dead. But at lest they have an option to power it by USB. Probably want to use some hot-melt glue to hold it in the back end of the device. Then I'd also consider hard-wiring it in to vehicle power. USB is great. It takes a while, but eventually the plugs go bad. But maybe if you're not plugging/unplugging/replugging they will last a long time.

If you do it, let us know how the unit holds up.
 
#52,613 ·
California Gator said:
Man, that's inexpensive. I'd almost be worried that it's cheap. How can the cost be that low?!?!

The only other issue I have with wireless is needing batteries. Seems like whenever I really need something to work the batteries are dead. But at lest they have an option to power it by USB. Probably want to use some hot-melt glue to hold it in the back end of the device. Then I'd also consider hard-wiring it in to vehicle power. USB is great. It takes a while, but eventually the plugs go bad. But maybe if you're not plugging/unplugging/replugging they will last a long time.

If you do it, let us know how the unit holds up.
Click to expand...
Since I have the rack system, I was planning to have off road lights facing in all directions including into the bed for additional cargo lighting. I also plan on having lighting on the front bumper guard I've yet to build. I want to be able to control everything independently, that's why I need at least a 6 gang switch. Some of the lighting on the rear side of the bed rack will just be tied to the running lights and brake lights of the truck so I won't need switches for those. I read some reviews about that switch set up saying it works from up to 200 feet away from the truck. I thought that would be fun to play with so I doubt I'll wire the switches in permanently. Of course that brings up the issue of providing 12v to the relay box without the truck being turned on. I have some ideas about a separate switch for that. It would have to be wired in such a way to disconnect the switched power when its turned on so I don't damage anything.
 
#52,614 ·
@Suprtek said:
Since I have the rack system, I was planning to have off road lights facing in all directions including into the bed for additional cargo lighting. I also plan on having lighting on the front bumper guard I've yet to build. I want to be able to control everything independently, that's why I need at least a 6 gang switch. Some of the lighting on the rear side of the bed rack will just be tied to the running lights and brake lights of the truck so I won't need switches for those. I read some reviews about that switch set up saying it works from up to 200 feet away from the truck. I thought that would be fun to play with so I doubt I'll wire the switches in permanently. Of course that brings up the issue of providing 12v to the relay box without the truck being turned on. I have some ideas about a separate switch for that. It would have to be wired in such a way to disconnect the switched power when its turned on so I don't damage anything.
Click to expand...
If you use the add-a-fuse, there's probably one of the fuses in the cab that are always on. In the 2020 they are labeled 'battery' 'ign' and 'acc'. I believe that battery is always on, IGN is only when the ignition is on (like the second position with your key, or second button push without your foot on the brake), acc is the first push with your foot off the brake (or first key position).

Best,
 
#52,615 ·
After a long drive from DFW to the Panhandle and back, I decided the truck needed a wash. paid 23 bucks at the new place and couldn't have been more disappointed. All I wanted was the bugs scrubbed off and maybe clean off the dust and they couldn't even do that right.
 
#52,616 ·
California Gator said:
If you use the add-a-fuse, there's probably one of the fuses in the cab that are always on. In the 2020 they are labeled 'battery' 'ign' and 'acc'. I believe that battery is always on, IGN is only when the ignition is on (like the second position with your key, or second button push without your foot on the brake), acc is the first push with your foot off the brake (or first key position).

Best,
Click to expand...
Thanks! I appreciate the tips. I'm no pro mechanic but I've worked with electronics my whole life so I tend to go overboard sometimes. I'm actually thinking of designing a circuit that does both. I want the convenience of knowing all my lights will normally turn off when the ignition is off but I want the ability to temporarily make the lights work without the ignition on. It will likely involve an additional relay and switch that will live in the engine compartment that will switch the whole system to the alternate constant power source while at the same time preventing it from connecting to the switched source because I don't want it connected to both at the same time. Sounds fun right?
 
#52,617 ·
@Suprtek said:
Thanks! I appreciate the tips. I'm no pro mechanic but I've worked with electronics my whole life so I tend to go overboard sometimes. I'm actually thinking of designing a circuit that does both. I want the convenience of knowing all my lights will normally turn off when the ignition is off but I want the ability to temporarily make the lights work without the ignition on. It will likely involve an additional relay and switch that will live in the engine compartment that will switch the whole system to the alternate constant power source while at the same time preventing it from connecting to the switched source because I don't want it connected to both at the same time. Sounds fun right?
Click to expand...
Yeah, that seems easy enough. Though, if you go with one of those switch panels, you could put the switch on the sense line. That would worked for the wired, not the wireless versions. You could put a 'Y' in the sense line, run one to the an IGN source, and one to a BATT (always on) source. Maybe put a diode on each line if you're worried about back voltage. Anyway, the BATT line could have a switch on it so it's only on when you want it to be.

The relay box is powered directly from the battery. So if the sense line gets power, then the whole system will be on. If you go with the wireless then you'd still have to run a line into your cab. Well, unless you got really fancy and set up some kind of bluetooth thing to your phone (or other wireless controller) and a Rasberry Pi or other gumstick sized computer that can control relays. But that seems overly complicated. Yeah, I've been known to build some stuff, too. Keep it simple Suprtek (KISS...ha ha ha). Or go crazy and have fun.
 
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