Power Panel Idea

[stuntmaster]

Basically after staring at the dashboard for a good 30 mins this evening, I came up with an idea and done two mockups of what it would look like using the Gimp (free photoshop for linux)

basically after converting the large din to a standard din size, i noticed that the panel that fills the gap is very plain (nothing on it), well my idea would be to make it into some sort of panel with switches or whatever on it.

basically im thinking about doing this simple and effective mod.

i have 3 pics below - 2 mockups and 1 wiring diagram.

any advice appreciated!

Power Panel V1


Power Panel V2


wiring Diagram (click to enlarge)

[OxtonyxO]

the panel looks

however the wiring for the jump start would need to be done with a heavy duty relay or contactor, then the switch(s) could be used to open and close the relay

[stuntmaster]

great! im glad the design is good!

thats exactly the sort of advice i wanted, someone to check the wiring, relay it is adjusting wiring diagram to accommodate this....

basically i want a white neon for the engine bay, to see what the heck im doing as where the van gets parked it can be dark even in daylight (shadows from the trees) theres plenty of room for expansion on it too.

[OxtonyxO]

what you need to do is, work out the current each item is going to draw.
if this is higher than the rating on the switch you will need to use a control circuit which will switch the relay on and off

hope you can understand my working

[stuntmaster]

yep i understand you , basically if the main current exceeds what the switch can handle then it needs to be relayed if it doesnt exceed the switch then a direct wire is ok.

to be safe i´ll probably just relay it all saves time and effort.then with the relays sitting inside the engine bay i can swap things like fog lights without having to rewire the panel.

[motorwise]

in the case of a jump start socket or connection use a stand alone starter solenoid off say an old metro - should cost you about a tenner

[stuntmaster]

brill!

there was a time when both batteries went flat see so this allows me to get it fired up quickly to get me around for a few days till i can get the other 2 re-charged (or new ones).


a starter solenoid.... i should be able to find one easily

[stuntmaster]

couple of more designs

V4 is probably the best i have designed.

included an inverter after i saw one today basically they run off the 12v cigarrete lighter so im goign to cut that plug off and hardwire it to a relay witht hat relay controlled by the power panels switch.

the inverter will sit in the glovebox as nothing really goes in there just a few maps and spare fuses

so the inclusion of the switch for inverter is to operate it, this switch wont be on the 12v switched ignition just straight to the battery on this one so you can use it without the key.

anyway here are 2 more designs, if anyone would like to make a design for it and post it in here that would be awsome!

once i make it i´ll make a how to and stick it on here with the various template designs i have made and other users have made (with their credit of course).

anyways here are two more panel designs:

Power Panel V3:


Power Panel V4:

[Luke]

i must admit they look quite good
but how do you get the panel to look like that is it carbon fibre and can you just buy sheets of it

[stuntmaster]

nah i just print em off onto some sort of glossy platic sticker stuff and stick it down. or you could just print it off onto glossy paper and cover it in sticky back plastic.

or you could use real carbon fiber.

upto you how you do it.

im going for method 1, as I saw some of this sticky plastic paper in pc world. its waterproof too, and allows you to change the design if you feel like it. and it doesnt cost much, all you need is a photo printer.... I´ll use the colleges photo laser printer

[Luke]

ah i see neat idea

[djswampy]

you can get a carbon fibre look, vynal sticker stuff.

[stuntmaster]

you can get a carbon fibre look, vynal sticker stuff.

yeh thats it vinyl sticker, its something similar to that i saw but for normal inkjet/laser printer use. wasnt that much either like £10 for a few sheets A4, much cheaper than the real stuff.

[stuntmaster]

here is the template for it if anyone wants it.

it is there its just white, just right click in the space below and do the usual to save it.

its under here!

its above here!

[sc_BK]

I wouldn't mind something like that for all my lighting etc
Currently have switches behind me, problem with infront is that you have to safelt get the wires past the cab. Any easy ways to do this?