Lighting controller options

Ok, I am looking into a clean method of wiring in future lights and accessories. Right now I have some Rigid flush mount lights on order that will go in the rear bumper. I plan to add a couple other lights and items. Looking at a total of 5 or 6 switches. My 1794 has no free switch spaces.

The two main companies I find are SPOD and SwitchPros and are both over $400. Below are my opinions of the two units.

The SPOD
The Good - has 6 relayed switchs, relays rated at 40A.
The Bad - the engine bay box is not weather proof/sealed, the standard switches are single led ($100 more to change them to dual led switches), the tundra kit is installed in the sun-glass holder which I use

Switchpro 8100
The good - Has 8 programmable switch buttons, slim interior switch panel, Bluetooth
The Bad - 7 of the 8 circuits are only rated for 18A, the 8th is 30A (some light bars exceed 18A), Cost - close to $500


The alternate option I am looking at is a Bussmann fuse and relay box built by a Tacoma World member and use OTRATTW switches.
Here is a photo of the kit he builds. Comes with a pre-wired fuse/relay box, relays, weatherproof connections, cable to switches, and switch backs pre-wired.


This is the best example of rocker switches in a Tundra that I could find - I would do 6 switches (2 rows of 3)


The good - 5 relays and 5 fused connections, nice pre-wired setup with disconnectible connections if i ever have to remove it temporarly, can use the switches and rockers I want
The Bad - have to add on a circuit breaker, primary wires to battery and a few other things, have to get specific wire terminals for using the waterproof connectors ($11 for 100, so not bad)

I am torn between the SwitchPro and the Bussmann setup. The Bussmann setup will come in around $100 cheaper, but the SwitchPro has several features that I could justify the cost.

 

I am looking to do a 7-9 switch setup and this is the best location I can find for 2021 Tundra DC.

Any updates on this set up or does anybody have something similar done?

 

I've got a second gen, so I don't know what your interior space is like for switch placement. That being said, there are literally hundreds of premade options on Amazon(and other suppliers) for switch banks, trim pieces etc... especially if you own a dremel. After checking the prices on the switchpros mentioned above, please, PLEASE don't give them business. Their prices are beyond greedy... heading into ludicrous territory. Charging 500 to 1000 dollars for 10$ worth of electronics and plastic out of China (50$ maybe if it was made in Taiwan). Charging 100+ dollars for a 25 cent trim piece of plastic... shameful, sickening even. For less 150$ you can get some nifty 8 gang controllers (relay or solid state), and with the money you saved you could buy a really nice 3d printer and make your own trim pieces...

 

Thanks! I mean I do agree as much as I can assess and it is pricey and does seem to keep wires simple though.

Any links or ideas welcomed.

 

Well, first thing you want to do is figure out exactly how many switches you need. Then try to get an idea of the amp loads each switch needs to be rated for. From that, you can figure out what/if any premade panel/controller will suit your needs. The controllers are a nice option for sure, 1 cable penetration into the cab sure takes alot of the headache out accessorizing . Without knowing how many and what they're for, there's not much I can point you towards except to go look at Amazon, Carid or Alibaba etc...

 

I use the trigger system and love it. It's simple, waterproof, clean-looking, and affordable.

 

Check this one out. I have the 4 switch version. Easy install and the app is decent.


https://triggercontroller.com/

 

I did the bussmann fuse box. I designed and had the mount made by Powertrays to mount behind the passenger headlight area. photo with the cover off

After doing the the bussmann fuse box and individual switches, I would 100% go with the switchpros unit. I ended up spending more than the switchpros cost.
Switchpros are USA made, have a good warranty, have Bluetooth, strobing, dimming, can program button for ignition only, and the new model increased the amp rating of the circuits - 20A is the lowest rated now.

I have one of those $150 Amazon 8-switch panels that is made in china for our travel trailer...the quality is not great at all. wire mount screws can strip very easy, the plastic will crack easy (i cracked both the circuit breaker and the box mounting hole with a nut driver), most of the circuits have a low amp rating (10A or less), 50A max rating, no strobing, no diming, no Bluetooth, and no button programming.

Each have their place. I am installing a couple pairs of Baja Design S1 lights on the camper, the rest of the lights are low power draw abidance lights and some USB charging ports
On the truck I have a 40" light bar, multiple Rigid or Baja light pods. planning to add some XL80 or LP6 lights and maybe a few other things in the future. I need more than the 50A max of the cheap 8-switch panel. I would rather have a buffer of available amperage than be over the equipment's limit and risk failure.

Not sure where you think to only costs $10 to make a switchpro unit. I spent 4 times that on 18ga colored GXL wire to extend the trigger wire harness of my Bussmann fuse box since I mounted on the front passenger corner. I had to extend by over 10 feet to have a clean and concealed install.
link to wire for reference: https://www.wirebarn.com/11-Pack-of...rown-White-Orange-Pink-Violet-Gray_p_550.html

 

Geez, sorry you went through such a big hassle for that. Props to you for doing it the harder way. Maybe someone else will benefit from this post and go a different route.

 

That's a neat looking setup and their prices aren't ridiculous. Have you had the system long? I'd like to see a long-term use opinion on it.

 

Not crazy long but been running it for 6 months and love it. It rains a lot where I’m at and I take it on trails where it goes through mud and haven’t had any shortages. I highly recommend it. It’s super clean and makes it easy to install

 

The switch Pro has updated it's panel, so 4 switches at 20 amps max and 4 switches at 35 amps max. It also has Programable features that the other's don't have as well. I bought the 8, but I should have gotten the 12, because I have almost used up all the switches, and I still need to hook up the winch & the compressor, although I may have separate switches for those because I will be running the SDHQ dual battery system.

 

Yes, the new switchpros unit has a lot better specs than the unit that was available 4+ years ago when I wrote the opening post.
If I were to do it all over again today, I would 100% go with the switchpros 8 switch, as I ended up spending more than the SP cost on the bussmann, switches, waterproof connector pieces, custom mount, and wire. Granted, I use the connectors and wire on other projects too.
The 12 SP is cool but I feel the cost is too high for only 4 more switches, you could buy 2 8 switch units for not much more the cost and have the extra 4 switches.

 

You're absolutely right. The RCR-Force 12 doesn't fit the power tray either and there aren't many mounting locations for it.. I actually did just that bought 2 SP9100 units; mounted one on top of the fuse box with the power tray, and bought the SDHQ mount that hides it in front of the battery next to the head light. I think I have enough lighting now to light up the desert and completely kill my battery at the same time. I will be getting the SDHQ dual battery set up with a battery charging unit so the secondary battery can run up to 14V as well when the vehicle is running especially when using a winch and compressor.