How much time does it take to wire up a panel of relays? How much more time does it take to wire up rocker switches, potentiometers, or status lights? What if that system needs logic functions, timers–or both? If a manufacturer or upfitter is kitting out a large fleet of vehicles, or building essentially the same floorplans for an entire model year or over several model years (such as in recreational vehicles), and does not need to build out very many logic functions, then perhaps they can have a standardized set of panels and harnesses pre-fabricated and mass-produced, and so mitigate the time–and costs–involved.
But what if the logical needs are complicated? What if the installation spaces–including space for the wiring looms–are tight? What about when the build runs are smaller, or change frequently? Prefabricated panels may not be an ideal solution, or even an option at all. An upfitter is then faced with making compromises and trade-offs; trying to balance available design time, circuit complexity, skilled labor availability, installation times, and working room on the upfit.
A compact solution for complex upfits.
Are there other options? Are there easier and faster ways to create complex customized electrical systems on upfits for smaller jobs? Are there ways to make such systems smaller? Can a customized or short-run upfit get the same economy of scale as large run with pre-fabricated panels and standardized wiring?
And what happens when the customer makes changes at the last minute? How easily and quickly can you get in to rewire things?
As we have covered previously, the VCMS2 modules offer incredible software capabilities that were once the exclusive domain of big OEMs or expensive 3rd party multiplex producers. The VCMS2 modules are already well known for their programmability to replace timers and relay logic banks, and for their flexibility to respond to a variety of input conditions.
But did you know how small these modules actually are? Or how little wiring they require? Or how much power they could control? Or how little they really cost when compared to the costs of wiring up relays, toggles, and rockers?
Small but mighty.
One module fits easily in the palm of your hand, but it can control up to EIGHT 15-amp loads. How big do your hands have to be to hold that kind of switching capability in relays, sockets, and the wires to connect them all?
If the customer needs to change functions at the last minute, add time delays, change switch legends, or just make every build a little bit different from the last, the VCMS2 is easily reprogrammed too. And the system scales up easily if you need to add more loads, or more switch panels too.
With systems like InPower’s VCMS2 families of power modules and switch panels, any upfitter or electrical designer can gain the benefits of standardized, easy to install, and compact but powerful modules, while replacing banks of bulkier relays and reducing wiring needs.
Call or email us to learn more or check out our VCMS-II modules and switch panels online.
