MK's Center Console Switch Panel 2.0 (Build Thread)

mawlkrawler · **Posted:** Wed Apr 09, 2014 12:12 am

Now that the weather is finally warming up around here (enough so my fingers don't freeze while doing electrical work outside) I've started redesigning my current switch panel. As it stands right now, its just a piece of 3/16" steel with a rectangular Contura Switch Mount installed for 6 switches. What I'm hoping to do is add a mini voltmeter and mini ampmeter to it as well as room for a few more switches. I also have a marine compass mounted on top of the dash. The compass works surprosingly well (although you may have to stop for a few seconds to allow it time to adjust because its designed for boats which don't usually make sharp turns at 60 mph)

My current setup (4/8/2014) (Everything lights up GREEN at night)

As you can see, its very simple. It gets the job done but there is definitely A LOT of room for improvement.

Disassembled view of the panel:

WIRING (It's really messy):

Here are my new designs for the new switch panel. It's going to basically be a steel box that contours to the dash and bridges off my current panel...

DRIVER SEAT (The blue streaks represent the flow of the defrost. NOTE: the panel will cover a little of the defroster vent. However, I've added some vents to the design to help alleviate some of the potential the air flow blockage)

From the Center View (With the switches I'm thinking about adding. This is just a mock up and I'm still re-arranging things. I may add an Tilt-Meter to the center if I have enough space):

PASSENGER SEAT (I just horizontally inverted the view of the picture)

Next Step:
I'm gonna toss a few more design ideas around, take some more measurements, and then start compiling my materials. I'm trying to maximize my time and limit the amount of times I have to disassemble my dash. When this thing is ready to install I plan on rewiring all of my terrible half-a**ed wiring jobs. Its not a hard project, just tedious lol. I definitely welcome any input from you guys.

At The Helm · **Posted:** Wed Apr 09, 2014 12:53 am

Nice model!!

mawlkrawler wrote:

When this thing is ready to install I plan on rewiring all of my terrible half-a**ed wiring jobs.

Pretty sure I'm the king of half-a**ed wiring jobs. :ROTFL:

JeepNCrowd · **Posted:** Wed Apr 09, 2014 1:05 am

If you can pull it off, it will look sharp

! I can't Wait to see the final product!

jjohnson1892 · **Posted:** Wed Apr 09, 2014 8:45 am

Cool idea! What is your plan for actually fabbing the switch panel?

Also, let’s all just be happy that our...unique...wiring can be easily hidden away, “out of sight, out of mind” :ROTFL:

mawlkrawler · **Posted:** Wed Apr 09, 2014 11:24 am

jjohnson1892 wrote:

Cool idea! What is your plan for actually fabbing the switch panel?

Also, let’s all just be happy that our...unique...wiring can be easily hidden away, “out of sight, out of mind” :ROTFL:

Lol "out of sight, out of mind" = don't lift up my floor mats :-)r

Anyway, I'm basically adding onto my current switch panel. I'm going to take the current switch panel out and rewire everything. As it sits now, each switch (and accessory) installed in my Jeep has an in-line fuse, which is a pain the butt if you ever blow it because half of them are either hidden or I forget where the fuse is. I'm going cut all the inlines out and hook all the wires directly to a new fuse panel. I also have to re-wire because the new switches that I planned on adding, take the roof lights for example, require a heavier gauge wire than what I have installed now, plus a relay.

Basically, what I'm going to do is take my current switch panel out, cut the pieces I need to make the housing, rewire everything, assemble the new housing, and re-install the panel. (I may even add a quick disconnect wire in cause I have to pull just the switches out so I can easily get to them and pull out the panel without having to cut anything. My goal for the wiring is have it all ready so when I new accessories (like a winch) I can just bolt it on the new accessory and have the wires hooked up properly so I can just plug it in instead of having to re-wire stuff every single time.

jjohnson1892 · **Posted:** Wed Apr 09, 2014 12:58 pm

Cool man, that sounds good

Quick discos on wires are the best. I have them behind my switch panel (no pics right now) and they’re really helpful when adding/checking the backside of the switch panel. Pretty cheap option too, and it’s one of the little things that will make you feel good about it

nFodzy · **Joined:** Sun Oct 06, 2013 1:30 pm **Posts:** 389

Kind of off topic but where did you get that compass, I like it.

mawlkrawler · **Posted:** Sun Apr 13, 2014 10:53 am

nFodzy wrote:

Kind of off topic but where did you get that compass, I like it.

Ritchie S-53 Explorer by Ritchie
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001449AC0/ref=cm_sw_r_udp_awd_brQstb1Z8V2ED
This is the one that I have on there now. It's a surface mount. I may switch it up with a flush mounting compass after I finish the new panel.

Sent from my iPhone

nFodzy · **Joined:** Sun Oct 06, 2013 1:30 pm **Posts:** 389

Thanks for the link. Does it work well and worth the $50?

mawlkrawler · **Posted:** Sun Apr 13, 2014 8:12 pm

Ya it works surprisingly well. Check out some of the reviews. The only thing I didn't like about it was that it comes with a little dinky Christmas tree bulb as the light. I just grabbed a festoon LED bulb off eBay and swapped it. It was much brighter after that. Its great when you take road trips, especially if its dark out and you hop on the highway and forget what direction your heading like I do constantly. Also helps if you ever get lost in a city/woods because it can help you maintain your orientation. Plus its just cool to look at lol.

nFodzy · **Joined:** Sun Oct 06, 2013 1:30 pm **Posts:** 389

How does it sit there, double sided tape? It works right away too right?

mawlkrawler · **Posted:** Thu Apr 17, 2014 12:41 am

It has a base to it that separates. the base has screw holes. You can also tape it if you don't wana screw it into the dash.

nFodzy · **Joined:** Sun Oct 06, 2013 1:30 pm **Posts:** 389

Is there any chance you could take a night picture of it for me? I wanna see what it looks like in the dark. Much appreciated!

mawlkrawler · **Posted:** Wed Apr 23, 2014 9:43 am

nFodzy wrote:

How does it sit there, double sided tape? It works right away too right?

You can tape it to the dash, I would just grab some mounting tape from Lowes or Home Depot. I would stay away from double sided tape like Scotch Double Sided Tape. I wanted a more permanent fixture so I just used two small wood screws and just screwed it into the dash. The other reason I did this was because in order to wire up the light to a switch I had to drill a small hole through the dash so I could splice into the dimmer switch. I also swapped the crappy light bulb they give you in the box for a 42mm Festoon LED. Pix Below

image by MawlKrawler, on Flickr

nFodzy wrote:

Is there any chance you could take a night picture of it for me? I wanna see what it looks like in the dark. Much appreciated!

Here you go

image by MawlKrawler, on Flickr

MK's Center Console Switch Panel 2.0 (Build Thread)

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