Switch panel in radio hole

[Vae Victus]

OTR version might fit? I have some of their switches in my Hundy. I like 'em. They also have novelty switches.

OTR 6 switch panel

OTR Dragon Fire switch

That just might be the Carline 6 up bracket! I've not seen that anywhere able to be purchased singly! Nice find. The product ID (VM6-01) matches the Carline ID but they don't give a manufacturer.

oh yep, looking at the Dragon Fire switch, it's a "Contura". Maybe a copy but that's a Carline sub-model name.

 

[rkymtnflyfisher]

Solid tech happening here, maybe I'll get off my ass and contribute something useful!

 

[Catching Neutral]

One of these days I will get off my ass and add that auxillary fuse panel so that I can make use of the switch panel. In the meantime it was a inexpensive quick fix for a common problem these cruisers have.

 

[Catching Neutral]

One of my favorite….

 

[Bripars40]

Before and afterView attachment 3161912
View attachment 3161913

Thank you for posting this! Someone cut up my dash just like yours and they cut my bottom dash pads I was considering going with the single bottom dash pad like the 67-72 (I think that’s right) or completely omitting my dash pads. I think for now I’ll follow your footsteps and replace the pads and buy this switch kit.

 

[Vae Victus]

Update on the different switch panel options purchased above:

1. CN's original post: AutoEC Rocker Switch Panel Switch Holder Housing Kit - Black Plastic (pack of 5) https://a.co/d/2l7WoBa

1. AutoEC Panel - this panel was a tight fit in my radio location. 5 of the sections would fit, with some round hole / square bracket issues pushing it over about 1/8" such that the last, 6th sections would not fit into the hole without modifications of either or both the hole and the bracket. It would be possible, but it would take some finessing.

Once you fit it, I DO think it would be tight and not rattle around. Question for me was how much would I have to modify the metal, which I'm not yet willing to do.

Second note: The USB modules that I bought from Amazon (the 2 non Carline-compatible versions) would fit in this module. The Carline V-USB module will not fit. It ONLY fits into the Carline bracket.

 

[Vae Victus]

2. DriSentri Rocker Switch Panel Housing Holder, Black ABS Plastic Durable Car Boat Rocker Switch Clip Panel Patrol Holder Housing for ARB Carling https://a.co/d/8juY5WO

2. DriSentri - This bracket fit easier into the radio slot for the first 5 sections, but the #6 would again require modification of both ends of the bracket to give it room to fit. Possible, but not a perfect fit.

Since I could not get the last section in, it's hard to say how well it would fit overall, but I think it would be a tight, not rattling, secure fit.

The USB modules fit into this a bit tighter than the AutoEC (Note, in the photos I did NOT push the USB modules in all the way because they'd be a royal pain to remove). The Carline module again would not fit.

 

[Vae Victus]

3. DaierTek 6-Slot Rocker Switch Housing Panel Holder Kit with Switch Blank Cover Adjustable ABS Plastic Automotive Mount for Marine Toggle Switch https://a.co/d/4UqxhsD

3. DaierTek - This one is a total failure upon receipt. I received 6 housing bezel pieces.

A) There are no end pieces, only middle pieces. and
B) the pieces will not fit together. I cannot get the slots to line up.

The Carline V-USB module DOES fit into the housing.

No photos since it was such a fail.

 

[Vae Victus]

4. I'm also buying the Carling Technologies individual brackets from WayTek Wire to see if they fit any better. (already referenced above, but put here for convenience: P: Search: carling vm - https://www.waytekwire.com/products?pSearch=carling%20vm)

4. Carline Bracket and USB Module - The Carline housing fit into the radio hole, all 6 sections. It was a bit loose, and will need something to make it fit tightly. Overall I'm swayed by this one because of the build quality, options available for Carline switches, and the fact that I'm not going to be tempted to cut metal to make this fit. I will have to add something to the bracket to get a good fit, but I *think* I can overcome that with either some foam tape, or my 3D printer, or someone else with a better idea!

The current fit leaves about 1/8-3/16" gap on one end. You can move the bracket back and forth in the slot, and you can pull the top of the bracket out easily (the clips don't quite engage the top lip of the radio hole - they almost do). This is where I think someone added a zip tie somehow on the top to make it stay secure. I've not figured that out yet. I have a video of it rattling around, but it's not worth posting to youtube just to show that. Hit me up if you want it.

The USB Module fits well of course. More on the USB in the next post.

 

[Vae Victus]

5. Also ordered this really expensive Carling Dual USB charger (yes, right when USB-C is becoming the standard). We will see if this holds up better than the cheap $9 ones from overseas manufacturers that I ordered.) https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/carling-technologies/V-USB-24-G11-1BB1/5267376. It was $20 cheaper on DigiKey than other sites.

Carline USB Module - More photos of the USB module. It's a 5 year old design, so take that into consideration. Our vehicles may be 50+ years old, but the technology that we are adding to it does not have that kind of shelf life. USB is on it's way out, being replaced by USB-C connectors. Just realize you may need to get this thing out in the future and replace it with a USB-C module. These don't come out easily from the front, and getting the brackets out is hard even when nothing else is installed in the holes, as I learned last night when testing the fit of these choices.

The specs say it is a 3.1 amp per slot charge. The other USB modules were 4.2A (DaierTek model on Amazon), and 3.1A (XJMOTO on Amazon).

The module itself is pretty deep - almost 2.75"/61mm deep (adding 2mm for the rubber gasket that I didn't remove when measuring). This module cost $38 if purchased where I referenced above (vs $50+ elsewhere). I do tend to trust that this will last longer than the $8 versions.

The spring loaded doors are quite strong. Whole thing feels well made. I looked and Carline does NOT have a USB-C module for the V series switch bracket.

 

[1911]

Carline USB Module - More photos of the USB module. It's a 5 year old design, so take that into consideration. Our vehicles may be 50+ years old, but the technology that we are adding to it does not have that kind of shelf life. USB is on it's way out, being replaced by USB-C connectors. Just realize you may need to get this thing out in the future and replace it with a USB-C module. These don't come out easily from the front, and getting the brackets out is hard even when nothing else is installed in the holes, as I learned last night when testing the fit of these choices.

The specs say it is a 3.1 amp per slot charge. The other USB modules were 4.2A (DaierTek model on Amazon), and 3.1A (XJMOTO on Amazon).

The module itself is pretty deep - almost 2.75"/61mm deep (adding 2mm for the rubber gasket that I didn't remove when measuring). This module cost $38 if purchased where I referenced above (vs $50+ elsewhere). I do tend to trust that this will last longer than the $8 versions.

The spring loaded doors are quite strong. Whole thing feels well made. I looked and Carline does NOT have a USB-C module for the V series switch bracket.

View attachment 3164267View attachment 3164268View attachment 3164270View attachment 3164272View attachment 3164276

Good info, thanks. I currently have one unused switch in my four-place ash tray panel, and could put a USB module in there.

 

[Bripars40]

2. DriSentri - This bracket fit easier into the radio slot for the first 5 sections, but the #6 would again require modification of both ends of the bracket to give it room to fit. Possible, but not a perfect fit.

Since I could not get the last section in, it's hard to say how well it would fit overall, but I think it would be a tight, not rattling, secure fit.

View attachment 3164237View attachment 3164238View attachment 3164239

The USB modules fit into this a bit tighter than the AutoEC (Note, in the photos I did NOT push the USB modules in all the way because they'd be a royal pain to remove). The Carline module again would not fit.

View attachment 3164240View attachment 3164241

Thank you for posting the details! I had this one in my cart and now it’s purchased after reading your post haha

 

[Vae Victus]

Thank you for posting the details! I had this one in my cart and now it’s purchased after reading your post haha

Cool. Please post what you do to get it to fit, and what switches you find to fit it. I think these are the standard switches. The Carline V type switches are proprietary to their housings. If you don't mind! I'm sure there's a lot of folks that would like to do this type of addition to their rigs. Fewer of us want/need radios, but need ways to charge devices and to plug the phones into amps via USB/USB-C (though I'm sure BlueTooth connections have obviated the need for USB-to-amp/head units now).

 

[Vae Victus]

Somewhere along the line I saw that a 40 owner had placed a RAM mount via a switch bracket like these. Has anyone else seen this? Failed to bookmark it. That would be a great way to mount a phone if it was all sturdy enough.

Imagine this with a switch-sized bottom....

 

[Bripars40]

Yessir! I installed this and the new (old) dash pads last night so you'll have to excuse the lighting. The dash pad on the left hangs down some and covers the last switch just a touch. I'll just blank that one off for now. Otherwise, this was a perfect solution for me!

That’s a Nilight (Amazon knock off) switch. Fits perfect

I also added an OBDII reader to the old seat belt and brake light switch hole. That way I can monitor engine temps until I save up enough for a Dakota Digital.

Cool. Please post what you do to get it to fit, and what switches you find to fit it. I think these are the standard switches. The Carline V type switches are proprietary to their housings. If you don't mind! I'm sure there's a lot of folks that would like to do this type of addition to their rigs. Fewer of us want/need radios, but need ways to charge devices and to plug the phones into amps via USB/USB-C (though I'm sure BlueTooth connections have obviated the need for USB-to-amp/head units now).

 

[rkymtnflyfisher]

@Vae Victus any follow-up thoughts? Which one did you finally settle on?