Switch Panel

[OregonLC]

If someone wanted to put together a production run with him, I'd be up for a panel.

 

[spressomon]

Sorry hoser...the piece I am interested in is the mounting bracket/adapter plate Jordan345 had made up. I can fab one, but was hoping since I now have an abbreviated shop of tools, to just order one.

Maybe the shop Jordan345 used still has the CAD file to share. And I'm fine with contributing a reasonable amount for it and/or the ready to mount bracket.

 

[hoser]

Yes, I was assisting with Oregon's dead link. I'm diggin' on the Jordan panel as well. I wish I didn't have a sunroof.... many more options w/o one.

 

[spressomon]

^ agree on the sunroof!

 

[OregonLC]

I remember finding a solid roofed gold LC back when I was looking. Ironically, I think it was in NV back when you lived there.

 

[RobRed]

With your guys skills... filling in a sunroof should be no problem

 

[Wilsil]

That is a great location for switches. Didn't think about that.
Mmmm, which switches do I want?

 

[r2m]

On my previous expo rig (F350 CrewCab) I made a remote with 7 switches for all my proximity lights. I used a small electronics box, added some small lighted rocker switches and had a cord going from the small handheld remote box to under the dash. That way, I was able to use the remote around the truck. The cord was about 8 feet.

 

[spressomon]

Ok...I finally took some measurements regarding switch panel placement within the space that was intended for a garage door opener (map light housing). The depth, without building a bracket to extend beyond the surface of the map light housing, is less than the depth required for the Contura rocker switches. The depth of the garage door opener space is roughly 1-3/8" deep whereas the depth of the Contura rocker switches is 1.45" not including the spades for electrical connector.

Obviously Jordan345 did it...per his post but wondering how? Any thoughts?

 

[TheForger]

What about something like this? I know it wouldn't fit where the garage door opener is supposed to go but maybe another location..? Even comes with housings for fuses built in.

https://www.superbrightleds.com/mor...atherproof-dc-distribution-switch-panel/1885/

 

[FlammableFishie]

Don't know if anybody has thought of this before, but anyways... My ashtray was stolen a while back and I think that'd be the perfect location for a switch panel. If I had the resources I would already have some to offer, but for now it's just a thought. One day I'll get around to making something and mounting it there since a replacement ashtray is something like $50 on fleabay (worth more than the change that was stolen).

 

[OregonLC]

Ok...I finally took some measurements regarding switch panel placement within the space that was intended for a garage door opener (map light housing). The depth, without building a bracket to extend beyond the surface of the map light housing, is less than the depth required for the Contura rocker switches. The depth of the garage door opener space is roughly 1-3/8" deep whereas the depth of the Contura rocker switches is 1.45" not including the spades for electrical connector.

Obviously Jordan345 did it...per his post but wondering how? Any thoughts?

I've got about 2-1/8" clearance with the 6 switch BlueSea Contura Panel mounted and the back of the garage door opener enclosure dremelled out. Tight, but I think it will work. Switches ordered and on the way. Spending a few weekends cleaning up a bunch of patchwork electrical up front and getting all properly powered and routed.

More to follow as I finish things up...

 

[OregonLC]

Here's another showing the cutout. There's a single screw hole in there that gets cut out but the four clips are pretty sturdy and should hold it fine. I'm running some 18/8 up to it for ground, hot, and switched legs. Not sure if the blade connectors will fit. If not, I'll solder directly onto the tabs. Pretty sure I can get the push-on connectors to work if I bend them over slightly.

It's a mess in my truck right now...

 

[spressomon]

What rocker switches did you decide on Dennis? Curious to see/know how it all works relative to depth and wire connections. Bravo on you for doing this!

 

[OregonLC]

What rocker switches did you decide on Dennis? Curious to see/know how it all works relative to depth and wire connections. Bravo on you for doing this!

I went with the Contura V style switches with custom laser etched covers from OTRATTW. The independent color on mine is green, hoping it will match the greenish factory hue. The dependent light is orange. I debated a lot about the color and thought about going blue, but I'm hoping the green will be more of a muted color.

There are a number of switch cover guys (Air Or Board, Dirty Parts) but OTRATTW seemed to have the best product. I like the fact that the independent light illuminates the text rather than a lighted window.

 

[fireball]

I would be pretty worried about having enough depth to fit the wiring and connections up there. Are you using 90 degree flag terminals?

I have the same switches, green with orange indication. It looks good, not quite OEM but better than most all other offerings!

 

[AimCOtaco]

This is how I ran mine in the sunglass spot... flag terminals were required.
These are some nice quality toggles from Del city with LED illumination. I like them a lot, fast to turn off all at once because they are toggles also easy to hit on bumpy roads.

I didn't wan't anything else on the console because that space gets a lot of spills and dirt or some guide book or sandwich or smartphone is often perched there..

 

[OregonLC]

Almost 2-5/8". I don't foresee any problems, knock on wood. [emoji1]

 

[r2m]

I love the idea of having the light switches in the overhead console!!
How hard is it to route wiring through the headliner and down the A pillar?

 

[AimCOtaco]

I found the wire route to be pretty easy, similar to a run down the door jamb I guess.