Accessory controllers and wiring basics 101

[Moose545]

I'll start by saying I don't have much automotive electrical experience whatsoever!

What's prompted my post is deciding between the sPod or SwitchPro 9100, or whatever else in between. I get the importance or solid, dry, sealed connections in a vibration-limited area etc, but have no idea when it comes to what Solid State is and having no fuses verses having them.

Between the 2 models listed for example, I've read pros and cons to both. The sPod seems more plug and play has all 8 circuits at 30A, and costs more, versus the less expensive SP9100 that supports 4 at 35A and 4 at 18A I think. I don't know what/how it's best to do the wiring but would like things as clean as possible, and simplified, yet I need to learn how to figure out what lights and winch draws what, and how it needs to be addressed. Thanks for the help in advance.

 

[Jacket]

I don't know much about those two units, but I've used the Blue Sea fuse block/distribution on my last two trucks. It certainly provides the convenience of running a single large power wire to the unit, and then branching off to your accessories from there. They are useful in the engine bay if you need to power accessories in there (compressor, lights), or inside the cabin as a means to distribute power to accessories like CB, HAM, Fridge, etc.). In my application, everything is fused. I usually have a main fuse near the battery on the power wire feeding the distribution block, and then the block itself should have fuses for each accessory.

Try to figure out everything you plan to add, which will drive the number of total connections on the block. Figure out the max draw of each accessory, and that would help you figure out what size wiring and what types of fuses you need.

 

[TX GX460]

Both products are made exceptionally well and are proven designs. Both are solid state, and both have bluetooth functionality and multiple programming functions. Both are relatively easy to install, program and use. You hit some of the high points. Jacket also makes a good point about figuring out what you need first. These two panels are for switched solutions (lights, compressor, lockers, etc.). If you want constant power for things, run that through a fused solution such as Blue Sea. You will probably need both a fuse panel and a switch panel if running the normal off-road/overland accessories. If you only need a few switches, you can save yourself some money by just using rocker switches instead of these solutions. Just make sure like Jacket recommends that all electrical items are properly fused if you are switching through anything other than a Switch Pro or sPod.

In the end, the main reason I went with the Switch Pro over the sPod was size/weight. The Switch Pro comes in a much smaller and lighter package than the sPod. This was important to me because engine compartment real estate can get taken up pretty quickly. But if you have the room the sPod is a great solution too.

 

[Moose545]

Both products are made exceptionally well and are proven designs. Both are solid state, and both have bluetooth functionality and multiple programming functions. Both are relatively easy to install, program and use. You hit some of the high points. Jacket also makes a good point about figuring out what you need first. These two panels are for switched solutions (lights, compressor, lockers, etc.). If you want constant power for things, run that through a fused solution such as Blue Sea. You will probably need both a fuse panel and a switch panel if running the normal off-road/overland accessories. If you only need a few switches, you can save yourself some money by just using rocker switches instead of these solutions. Just make sure like Jacket recommends that all electrical items are properly fused if you are switching through anything other than a Switch Pro or sPod.

In the end, the main reason I went with the Switch Pro over the sPod was size/weight. The Switch Pro comes in a much smaller and lighter package than the sPod. This was important to me because engine compartment real estate can get taken up pretty quickly. But if you have the room the sPod is a great solution too.

Thanks @TX GX460 , @Jacket , having said that about the need for a fuse panel and a switch panel/bus bar, Blue Sea has a lot and I'll have to look to see what seems to be a good fit size wise. I also need to make a list to see what is going to be used now once I get it and do the initial hookups, and what's planned and slated for later down the road.

One main noob questions I have though is regarding the constant power side of things on the fuse block and switch panel, or bus bar (terminology might be mixed up here still lost!) for a CB for example, would I take my leads from it to the fuse panel, then jumpers from fuse panel to switch panel, or Vice versa constant power accessory>switch panel>Fuse block?

How does the power get run from the battery to these, what order I'm asking? Thanks for all the info

 

[r2m]

Thanks @TX GX460 , @Jacket , having said that about the need for a fuse panel and a switch panel/bus bar, Blue Sea has a lot and I'll have to look to see what seems to be a good fit size wise. I also need to make a list to see what is going to be used now once I get it and do the initial hookups, and what's planned and slated for later down the road.

One main noob questions I have though is regarding the constant power side of things on the fuse block and switch panel, or bus bar (terminology might be mixed up here still lost!) for a CB for example, would I take my leads from it to the fuse panel, then jumpers from fuse panel to switch panel, or Vice versa constant power accessory>switch panel>Fuse block?

How does the power get run from the battery to these, what order I'm asking? Thanks for all the info

Just a heads up, some time ago, I started a thread that is pinned at the top of the GX 460 discussion threads (with the Photo's thread) that is all about GX 460 manuals. There are a couple of links with wiring diagrams in that thread. It's a great resource that I think is often over looked.

 

[Moose545]

Thanks for that info I'll look tonight and see what I can grasp out of that. I'm not sure if it'll answer my order question and I'm sure it's possible to accomplish things a number of different ways; I'm just looking for the basics and to see if I was on track or not.

 

[Jacket]

One main noob questions I have though is regarding the constant power side of things on the fuse block and switch panel, or bus bar (terminology might be mixed up here still lost!) for a CB for example, would I take my leads from it to the fuse panel, then jumpers from fuse panel to switch panel, or Vice versa constant power accessory>switch panel>Fuse block?

How does the power get run from the battery to these, what order I'm asking? Thanks for all the info

First off - I'd skip the CB and go get your HAM radio license instead.

Maybe the CB is a bad example, because the CB unit is going to have its own on/off switch in the unit itself, so you just need to run red/black to your fuse block and you should be good to go. But maybe you have something more complex in mind?

If you were doing something like lights, then you should be running the main power lead from the battery to fuse block and to a relay, and then using a switch to activate the relay and send power to the lights. There are lots of examples of that out on the internet. But if I understand your question about "what order", it would be:

Battery->Fuse Block->Switch->Accessory

 

[Moose545]

First off - I'd skip the CB and go get your HAM radio license instead.

Maybe the CB is a bad example, because the CB unit is going to have its own on/off switch in the unit itself, so you just need to run red/black to your fuse block and you should be good to go. But maybe you have something more complex in mind?

If you were doing something like lights, then you should be running the main power lead from the battery to fuse block and to a relay, and then using a switch to activate the relay and send power to the lights. There are lots of examples of that out on the internet. But if I understand your question about "what order", it would be:

Battery->Fuse Block->Switch->Accessory

Never looked into the HAM radio thing, no idea what that entails. And yes CB was a bad example I guess, so that going direct to the fuse block makes sense as the ON/OFF switch on the unit would be "switch" right? Where does a bus block fit in here, I'm confused? Definitely not anything more complex in mind besides my random thoughts LOL

Now for "switched solutions" such as fog lights, ditch lights, light bar, compressor, etc the controller (sPod or SwitchPro) will be acting as the switch segment correct? The direct wiring mentioned previously would be for constant power things, maybe like a fridge and I can't think of what else?