EASY Lighting Hacks w/ Garmin PowerSwitch & Transit Touchscreen!

[@EXPLORISTlife]

➤ *Blog Post w/ Diagrams for all three scenarios:* explorist.life/lighting-hacks-w-garmin-powerswitch/ ➤ *Garmin PowerSwitch (Amazon):* amzn.to/4al5FsN ➤ *Garmin PowerSwitch (Van Parts Warehouse):* vanpartswarehouse.com/products/garmin-powerswitch?_pos=4&_sid=c48b8ebe7&_ss=r&ref=mjg5g5esjri

[@jj_powpow]

Nate - possible suggestion on an easier solution that doesn’t use up one of the 6 outputs. Looked like you can toggle an output when the trigger signal is open (not present). If this is the case then send a signal to the trigger when you do not want the output to function. Which would mean you would need a relay on the output circuit such that the lights are on when the output is off. The NC side of a relay could do this. I hoping you get what I’m thinking. Would be easier with a picture…. happy to elaborate if you are interested. 11:01

[@MrQueSientes]

Best video so far to explain the inner workings and options for Garmin Power Switch. The visuals on the board are extremely helpful for someone like me who is more of a visual person and needs to see it laid out. Thanks!

[@GriffinConway]

4:54 If you select toggle it will turn off / turn on from the same custom button instead of having to make a second custom button to "turn off all"

[@Bobbydell]

Thanks for clarifying that. I was like that's so dumb you have to make another custom button to turn off the lights.

[@brianchetelat6601]

This tutorial can give some people a headache and rightfully so. But having been a gadget guy from birth, this stuff, mixed with a little perseverance can provide satisfaction rewards when you see it work. The one thing you want to be sure to do is good documentation, so that next guy doesn't need any headache powder : ) Fun geeky stuff Nate, thanks.

[@JaYoeNation]

Thanks Nate. Really helpful video. I have a power switch and am working out how to integrate it and this helps a lot

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Great to hear! Cheers!

[@bensonnguyen5872]

I learned about this product from other reviews, however: I am not mechanically inclined when it comes to wiring lights and was very confused as to how this product worked. Thank you for the clear and simple explanation. I will be getting this product and installing on my rig very soon.

[@EKKOdocker]

Great video on the test stand and cool seeing the lights in action on the prior video! I ordered the Garmin for our Transit, with your video and writeup being a tremendous guide. It'd be helpful to have a follow-up video on your detailed light wire runs, gauge of wires used, where everything's placed underhood and your final programming logic on the Garmin.

[@samhartfieldlewis5247]

Hello sorry just paused it when on about turning a group on and off the toggle (option) does that in one button feature. I have on the truck in doing light bar and ditch lighting together. Really like the garmin power switch amazing compared to other systems so far after 2 years had zero problems. Thank you take care go steady ✊

[@Moneypit_Adventures]

Strobe feature is perfect as chase lights on the back of the vehicle for anyone behind you in dusty conditions.

[@joshuas10]

You have created the video I have been trying to find and confirm my thoughts. I was thinking the same things as you noted in this video with respect to controlling lights through the inputs. I hope Garmin can come up with a solution with a firmware update.

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Awesome! Glad it helped. Yeah; that would be super nice if scenario three was handled w/ software/firmware. Maybe if someone over there sees this video. I talked with somebody from Garmin at Overland Expo about this; but I'm sure they had more pressing things going on to handle there. 🤷‍♂️😂🙏 In the meantime; I've put the diagram for that 'advanced wiring' over on the blog: explorist.life/lighting-hacks-w-garmin-powerswitch/

[@unimog404]

Nice usable unit! In my Unimog which is 24volt I just wired all the lights directly on the switch. Keep it simple and use good switches 😁

[@vanlovefest]

Totally ace video, THANK YOU!!

[@jonsmail8082]

This litle thing would work great for controlling inside lights inside the van, ceiling, floor and other power needs inside the van off the house battery's

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Very much so! This mounted down in the electrical enclosure connected via bluetooth to a tablet mounted somewhere would make for a super clean setup.

[@DSBaughm]

Going to use this workaround for the light up grill letters I bought for my bronco. I want to be able to have them turn on when the engine starts but want to be able to turn them off and go stealth. Thank you 🙏

[@massni94]

Great video- best run down I've seen by anyone. What would be epic is if they would add voltage or amperage dependent control input. My truck doesn't have a separate fuse for any of the lights- that's all done in another module. So to add light control from my high beams turning on and off for example I need to split the wiring harness and splice into the high beam wire- which I'm not willing to do. What would be dope is if that control only triggered when volts or amps crossed a certain value. Also not a fan of how tiny the buttons are when used with android auto. Very hard to hit reliable on a touch screen. They need to make button size customizable and get rid of unassigned buttons from the display.

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Ah; yeah, that would be a good idea for sure!

[@Bobbydell]

I plan on using my factory upditter switches as arm switches. They're only supplied when the ignition is on. I guess a cool thing with that is you don't need your phone or android auto for it. For the flashing lights. You also have your hazard lights go to a trigger. I thought there was a dimmer feature for this as well.

[@KentFleshman]

You could wire two amber lights on the rear of your vehicle/roof rack and set them to strobe if you are broken down on the side of the road or are having to change a flat or something.

[@chachi5975]

I was thinking dance party but your idea is more practical 😄

[@KentFleshman]

@@chachi5975😂🕺🪩🎶

[@darrylm3627]

😄👍Good Stuff, Great Tips

[@jerrydebaca8697]

Great video. Now I know about this Garmin Powerswitch in case I'd like it for my truck. Another hack, for those of us without secondary or dual batteries is to wire in a relay that is controlled by Acc on to supply power to the system so that the Garmin is not a load on the single starter battery while the vehicle is not running. It could drain the battery that way. Hopefully you wouldn't lose all your custom programming if you do this though. Great vid though. Does Garmin have a panel that we can add to this for those of us who do not have touch screens/phones?

[@joerod248]

It'd be helpful to have a follow-up video on your detailed light wire runs, gauge of wires used, where everything's placed under the hood........ Maybe just post pictures of your Transit Garmin Switch setup.

[@EXPLORISTlife]

👍🏻👍🏻

[@AdventurePod]

Awesome video … thanks for taking the time to build the test bench. Quick question: My light bars support different modes (White, Amber, White & Amber). The switch that came with the light bar has on/off and toggle between the modes. Do you think the toggle feature could manage to change the mode of my light bar?

[@rgrkim]

Thanks for the video. Is there way to use upfitter switches to turn on instead of phone? raptor upfitter switch.

[@keyogen]

Why do feel this video is in response to my question in the live stream.

[@razorwired130]

Great video! Would you support using one or more Garmin PowerSwitches to control all of your lights, interior and exterior, as well as water pump and any other devices you might have and not use conventional switches at all?

[@stevennijweide5326]

That’s exactly what I am planning for my van. 3 powerswitches and no conventional switches.

[@kenvasilik3730]

Assuming I program these switches to control exterior (front, rear, left side & right side) roof rack lights ... My Transit already allows me to LOCK, UNLOCK & START my van from outside the vehicle. Using my smartphone, will this Garmin device allow me to also control my lights from outside the vehicle ? Perhaps from a distance, to help locate where I parked in a crowded public lot, or to Scare-Off possible suspects when I'm approaching my vehicle in the dark ? In other words ... what distance or range have You found this device to be serviceable ?

[@stevennijweide5326]

Yes it should@@kenvasilik3730 , but only on bluetooth distance and if you have permanent power to the unit.Personally i am planning to have a permanent inside of the un it that i can remotely control so i can have access from anywhere

[@DallasRSnider]

Has Garmin fixed the problem yet? I’m in the process of installing several different lights that will have backlights. I plan on using some of the accessory inputs for those backlight to run off of the daytime, running lights, but I would love a master switch that turns off all the lights all at once that I have going to the Garmin. Which would include the backlights

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Looks like the last firmware update was June 23, 2023, which was before this video was made; so it looks like my efforts to get those features added wasn't listened to.

[@JJ26PNW]

Thanks for the video, Nate. I purchased the Garmin for my Sprinter but have yet to install it. Do you happen to know if the controls will work on the Sprinter screen as well?

[@paulappleby2]

If it has CarPlay then yes.

[@jonsmail8082]

Where did you mount the Garmin power switch under the hood

[@EXPLORISTlife]

On top of the oem fuse/relay box

[@stevennijweide5326]

Thanks Nate, I was researching these and wasn’t able to find much info on them. I think I might use three units to do all my indoor and outdoor lights with. Makes sense to use this system for everything. One thing: Are you sure that no fuses are needed? Is this a fail safe system? Not a software system? So what kind of wire would I use. Say I connect a 5A consumer to one of the ports, I would normally select a wire that limits the voltage drop for 5A and fuse it at 5A. How would I select cable for the 30A automatic fuse s of the garmin without having to cable everything for 30A users? So what cable is still safe for 30A short circuit?

[@EXPLORISTlife]

I think using these for interior lighting like you are talking about is a fantastic idea. You can absolutely add fuses if you like; but each terminal is literally incapable of producing more than 30A. From the manual: "The Garmin PowerSwitch device limits the amount of electrical current for each output terminal. If a single output exceeds 30 A, the device turns off that output automatically. If the device detects a total system load of more than 100 A, the device turns off all outputs automatically." High quality marine wire w/ 105 degree insulation like Ancor Wire (what we used in our build) is rated for 30A, 38A, and 51A for 14ga, 12ga, and 10ga respectively when installed inside of an engine space. For our install, we used a combination of all three: 10ga for the switch to lights home-run and then a combo of 12ga and 14ga to go from light to light; so we are covered on all fronts. The manual gives pretty good recommendations of wire sizes as well: • Use 10 AWG (6 mm2) wires for accessories that use 20 to 30 A. • Use 12 AWG (4 mm2) wires for accessories that use 10 to 20 A. • Use 14 AWG (2.5 mm2) wires for accessories that use less than 10 A.

[@stevennijweide5326]

Thanks. Just what I was looking for! I like the rugged design of these systems. They seem much more practical,for 4x4 vans than some of the other bluetooth switch thingies. I also,like that I can for instance switch my scene lights with the reverse lights, whilee still having them powered with from the house battery.

[@JeanYvesHudon]

It seems that the switchpro is superior with a keypad and Bluetooth functionality as well. Albeit no vehicle integration

[@EXPLORISTlife]

I wouldn't really say it's 'superior'; just a different option for if you don't want it to show up on your vehicle touchscreen.

[@sdfaulk01]

Nate, have you tried sPod light power controls? I think they are so much more elegant.

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Those are also cool, but don't integrate with the Transit touchscreen in the dash (to my knowledge).

[@sdfaulk01]

@@EXPLORISTlife you are right, I don't think they do. They have a upfit for the Sprinter but I don't see anything for the Transit so you would have to come up with a mounting location for the touchscreen which probably isn't convenient.

[@michaeldunn6313]

Hi wonder if you can help me. I paid a professional installer to wire up my lazer front round grill lights. These are the ones that have the dot led day running lights on them. He was saying that you can’t wire the full beam up and have the dot day running lights on the garmin control switch panel. I find this hard to believe. Is this false information please? Thanks

[@EXPLORISTlife]

I'm not quite sure I follow the question, unfortunately.

[@michaeldunn6313]

I have a garmin switch panel that controls my lights on the front of my Mercedes sprinter. The round lazer lights on the bull bar by the front grill. These have 4 dots that are a day running light. Unfortunately since the guy put this on the switch panel the led dots he was saying won’t work now due to the garmin switch panel isn’t able to work the main beam and the led dots. Is this true? Thanks

[@EXPLORISTlife]

I suppose all I can say is that the garmin powerswitch is incredibly powerful, flexible, and customizable and I can't imagine a lighting situation that it can't handle with the proper application of knowledge, effort, and external relays as necessary - and I hope that this video teaches you how it all works so you can better judge if you can power what you want to power.

[@michaeldunn6313]

I thought as much. The shop was trying to tell me it can’t be done and fob me off! Thanks for your help!

[@HenryOCarmichaelSmith]

Surely the toggle option would toggle them on and off instead of just "on" only

[@richardburguillos3118]

HELP!! I have a PowerSwitch unit that I will soon be installing. Can I program the unit so that... If I press switch 01, it will first turn off 02, then turn on 01. Then, if I press switch 02, it will first turn off 01, then turn on 02. I have Baja Designs LP6 lights that have High and Low beams and both cannot be on at the same time or it will damage the light.

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Not sure. You'll have to play around with it.

[@richardburguillos3118]

@@EXPLORISTlife Baja Design lights are popular. They have that High Beam and Low Beam lighting that the harness expects us to independently control. I could hook the Low to say 01 and the High to 02, but the danger there is of if I forget to turn one off before turning on the other. Seems this should be a routine I could program into PowerSwitch.

[@EXPLORISTlife]

@@richardburguillos3118 Try it out and let us know how/if you get it to work.

[@richardburguillos3118]

@@EXPLORISTlife I can setup 01 & 02 as momentary switches so if I press either one, it will just flash the lights. I can then create a two custom buttons. The first will turn off 02 and then on 01. The second will turn off 01 and then on 02. This will work for now as I trying to get this down to a single momentary button that toggles and acts like a SP3T switch.

[@cynic256]

What bumper do you have on your transit

[@EXPLORISTlife]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/aoqYanlojcSNfsU

[@teppohovattala5171]

Also when its snowing you dont want aux lights To be on, and i would like To use this function also To reverse light. So not everuybody behind me would not go blind.

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Yep! In addition to our amber fog lights (wired to factory fog light function) we would use in snow; we have additional amber light bars down low we can kick on as desired from this unit.

[@ieism1]

It's nice, but $500 is an insane amount of money, and a phone interface is not practical.

[@EXPLORISTlife]

$500 is on-par with other similar products on the market and hardly 'insane' for consumer electronics. There are multiple interfaces that can be used. The phone is one; a tablet is another; compatible vehicle touchscreen (like we have in our Ford Transit), or other Garmin touchscreens mounted in the vehicle.

[@nightnday6675]

@@EXPLORISTlifedont forget the physical buttons on the module as well.

[@sxswutah-ww6dr]

Not at $500

[@EXPLORISTlife]

What's not at $500?

[@donreid358]

It's a shame to have to add a relay when simple AND/OR logic in the device could do that and more.

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Agreed! It's a great device and I hope that this video can reach somebody at Garmin to make the device even better.