Custom Switches and Switch Panel

Hi All - I need a bit of advice. I'm in the process of adding a 12v leisure battery to my Freebie 1 to power my cooler box, tent lights, and other bits and bobs. I'm also adding some driving lights on the front bumper and spot lights on the roof.

The biggest problem I've come across is where to locate the extra switches. I reckon there will be 6-7 switches and 2 battery monitors. I've had a look behind the dash with a view to mounting the switches in a line beside the clock but there's not enough room.

I've looked at switch panels and pods, but wandered if anybody has successfully installed new switches etc on a custom panel or knew somewhere I could get a decent switch pod which would fit nicely in the Freebie.

Don't know if this is of any help to you. But when you fit the fog lamps that fit in the bumper you get a switch pod with room for four switches,that fits in the coin tray to the right of the steering wheel below the air vent.

If you can get hold of one seperately it might help you out.

pardec said:

Don't know if this is of any help to you. But when you fit the fog lamps that fit in the bumper you get a switch pod with room for four switches,that fits in the coin tray to the right of the steering wheel below the air vent.

If you can get hold of one seperately it might help you out.

Click to expand...

The Switch Panel Kit is Part Number STC7944, callout #3 in this diagram -



The Extra Switches (callout #1), are Part Number VVN100000 -




From memory, these switches use the White AMP 5-Way Connector, which is available from Dingocroft, their Part Number ZZPLUG02 -

Dingocroft Electrical Miscellany




.

PaulMc said:

The Switch Panel Kit is Part Number STC7944, callout #3 in this diagram -

The Extra Switches (callout #1), are Part Number VVN100000 -

From memory, these switches use the White AMP 5-Way Connector, which is available from Dingocroft, their Part Number ZZPLUG02 -

Dingocroft Electrical Miscellany

.

Click to expand...

Cheers for that!!!

Thats what i meant.

Cheers peeps. I've been having a look at this: MUDSTUFF.CO.UK, Mini MUD Pod, Land Rover Defender Solutions: West Yorkshire

I wondered if I could fit it on the dash above the radio... what do you think?

mattaitch said:

Cheers peeps. I've been having a look at this: MUDSTUFF.CO.UK, Mini MUD Pod, Land Rover Defender Solutions: West Yorkshire

I wondered if I could fit it on the dash above the radio... what do you think?

Click to expand...

If you've got the dash with a recess above the radio -




Then the Mini MUD-Pod is 195mm wide x 62mm deep - measure to see if it'll fit in the recess, if it does, you then have your choice of switches.

Carling Switches (also from MUD Stuff) are popular





As are the Eaton Switches from VWP (amongst others) -

http://www.vehicle-wiring-products.eu/VWP-onlinestore/switches/modular.php



.

I'll have a measure up tomorrow. The Mini Mud Pod looks like it might be a solution!

That looks great,way beyond my lectrickery capabilities.

My advice if your going camping , pull fuse f14 or fit an isolator switch for the internal lights.Every time you open a door the light stays on for c.20 minutes,even if you close the door you just opened but leave another door open :doh:I had to find that out the hard way(only parked up for 2 or 3 days:doh:

I've had a quick measure of the recess above the radio (24cm external, and 20cm internal). The Mini Pod should fit no probs at all. I'm going to order one! As much as I like the Carling Switches they're bloody expensive, and I've seen some nice LED tipped switches that Raptor Engineering supply: Landrover Dash Console from Raptor Engineering | Dashboard Accessories | Landrover Accessories

I've got to wire the whole thing together now, and here's another dilema. The leisure battery's going in the boot. Do I run my charge cable through the bulkhead, under the carpet to the back of the Freebie, or run the cable under the Freebie next to the brake lines and then through the floor at the back? :scratching_chin:

Mount the split charge relay onto a spare stud under the ECU box, fit the feed via an in-line fuse from the spare 10mm lug on the battery terminal.
Run the charging feed inside a flexi-conduit (10mm) down the bulkhead and along the lines underneath and over the rear drive to the N/S rear, up thro' the rubber bung into the boot behind the panel. Fit a LR Accessory socket and facia (about £7 from stealer, comes with a template) into the side panel by the N/S rear strut and all done.
That's how I did my 12S and Aux charging set-up, they all went down the same 10mm conduit.

TD John - Excellent advice - Thanks! I'll try and get some photos and post 'em up when I'm done.