Which Off Road Switch Panel system is ideal for your rig? This may seem like a difficult question to answer, but let us help you. As winners of five SEMA awards, including two Best New Interior Accessory product awards and three Global Media awards, Switch-Pros brand switch panel power systems are the obvious answer.
Solid State Switch Panel
Next, let’s consider which of the Switch-Pros systems is right for you? If you’re looking for a UTV switch panel, for your recreational side-by- side, then the SP9100 is probably sufficient for your car. The SP9100 features 8 switches which control 8 circuits and can flow 125amps continuously. This system is an all solid state switch panel, meaning that it has no internal moving parts and is far more reliable than off road light controllers that utilize relays and fuses.
The SP9100 model is designed primarily for LED lighting, electronic lockers, and other low voltage accessories that have lower amperage load ratings. However, don’t be fooled into thinking that this compact auxiliary switch panel is weak and timid; it is quite the powerhouse in a pocket-sized design. The eight circuits are divided into four 20 amp circuits, and four 35 amp circuits. That means that you have plenty of room for larger light bars on the higher amperage circuits, while still having several switches capable of running pods, shorter length light bars, and whips.
Bluetooth LED Switch Panel
In addition to the compact, yet powerful, design of the system, it has full Bluetooth connectivity, allowing the operator to use his or her phone, to turn accessories on and off, without being in the vehicle. Why would we make a Bluetooth Switch Panel, you ask? We believe in giving people what they want, and the ability to control vehicle accessories by smartphone, is all the rage. To accommodate that desire, we equip every one of our systems with a Bluetooth transmitter chip, which is on the switch panel, and allows the operator to use a cell phone or tablet, on either iOS or Android platform. This feature is especially cool if you are outside of your vehicle, and you need to strobe your Whips so that your buddy, who wandered away and got lost, can find his way back to the group. Yes, I said Strobe! Our robust power module has the built in ability to Flash, Strobe or Burst Strobe ANY lighting accessory that is being powered by our system. Instead of needing to purchase a separate relay box that will plug into your LED switch panel, you simply select the specialty pattern in our app screen, and your lights will dance in the selected pattern, on command.
At the beginning of this article, I mention RECREATIONAL side-by-side vehicles. Now, let’s talk about the crazy-equipped machines that race 100 mph across the desert. Those vehicles are on another level altogether. Typically stripped of most standard equipment, those vehicles often have cooling fans, fuel pumps, air compressors, and clean air pumps, and have started as a factory shell or steel frame. These machines require far more equipment than your typical toggle switches, and drivers, or their vehicle builders, demand a robust off road switch panel. Those builders, who have been fabricating off road racing vehicles for years, understand the importance of using a solid state switch panel, and, thus, look to the Switch-Pros RCR-Force®12 as a viable solution for wiring. The RCR-Force®12 has and does EVERYTHING that the SP9100 system, and more.
Price is a key deciding factor, when comparing one auxiliary switch panel to another. The RCR-Force®12 is a super capable, yet affordable solid state switch panel, that will power all the critical equipment on these desert machines. One major difference between the RCR-Force®12 and the more expensive systems is how you program the capabilities. One major brand requires a specialist and a laptop computer to build in the flexibility and specialty functions, whereas ours simply requires the user or installer to connect their smartphone or tablet to our Bluetooth switch panel, and select the desired capabilities on the screen. There is no software or special knowledge required for programming.
Speaking of specialty capabilities, let’s review some of the heavy hitters:
Multi-function switches can be wired and programmed, such that the user can use one switch to power one or another output, or both. It is the equivalent to using a three position toggle switch, except that our system will allow both outputs to be on at the same time.
UTV Switch Panel lockout means that on a utv, or off road truck, that does not have door locks or glass, you can create a pin code, which would be entered at the touch panel, to unlock your switch panel. This is a big seller for those drivers who want to use our LED switch panel to also start their car. It serves as both a safety and security feature by not allowing a passerby to hop in, start the car, and take it for a joy ride.
Continuous Flow Amperage rating for the RCR-Force®12 is far greater than typical auxiliary switch panel systems, with a max flow of 150 amps. The per circuit amp load is broken down into four 35amp circuits, one 30 amp circuit, eleven 15 amp circuits and one 2amp low side driver. The 35 and 30 amp circuits are also inductive-load tolerant, meaning that they can power outputs that generate a huge spike (up to approx.. 200 amps) upon start up, without burning up those circuits. These circuits are where installers connect cooling fans, fuel and water pumps and other accessories that generate a high spike before settling into their typical operating amperage.
Now that we have explained why the Switch-Pros brand of solid state switch panels is ideal for your car, it’s merely a matter of determining how many circuits you need to control. Once you have mapped that out, we welcome you to phone our staff and discuss the parameters of your project. Our support staff welcomes installation and support questions Monday through Friday, from 8:30am-4:00pm. Feel free to give us a shout to discuss your build and see how the Switch-Pros brand of products can help clean up and simplify your wiring projects.
