SSV Works Alpha 12 digital smart switch

[psrivats]

I came across this switch controller from SSV works that I think has some better features even compared to Switch Pros - both in terms of programmability and in terms of extensions. Thought I would start a discussion thread on it. Note that these go far beyond the usual Auxbeam and similar stuff, both in capability and price point.

Anyone here seen one in person or has one in their Jeep?

https://ssvworks.com/products/alpha12-digital-smart-switcher-with-12-outputs

Video from them discussing high level features.


Switch Pros RCR-Force-12 in comparison -
https://www.switchpros.com/rcr-force-12/

 

[Lou]

Saw this at expo 2 years ago. It’s a nice piece of gear but reliability is unknown to me. A lot of overkill functions IMO.

Can’t beat a switch pro 8.

 

[psrivats]

Saw this at expo 2 years ago. It’s a nice piece of gear but reliability is unknown to me. A lot of overkill functions IMO.

Can’t beat a switch pro 8.

Good bit of thought went into it. The controller and the brains are IP67/IP65 rated and the programming on the unit itself seems straightforward without needing an app. The expandability in either direction (more controllers or more brains) is pretty nice.

I wonder if the next gen vehicles will have something like this straight from OEM (or offer as a trim level upgrade or whatever). Would be pretty damn nice to have something configurable like this from the factory.

 

[DuckNut]

Looks great...but if I wanted new fangled tech to fail in my dinosaur, I would buy a newer one with it already installed.

 

[jjvw]

Looks great...but if I wanted new fangled tech to fail in my dinosaur, I would buy a newer one with it already installed.

While I do not have an opinion on the Switchworks, I can say that a device controller like this can easily address a long list of packaging issues along with improved reliability compared to more traditional switch and relay systems. On mine, I struggled finding reliable rocker switches that didn't quit working after too short of a time.

 

[mjonesjr84]

It's nice and all, but you can buy almost 4 AuxBeam 12-gang units. I don't the benefit of this for the added cost difference. Outside of the controller itself, it's essentially the same as the Auxbeam.

 

[jjvw]

It's nice and all, but you can buy almost 4 AuxBeam 12-gang units. I don't the benefit of this for the added cost difference. Outside of the controller itself, it's essentially the same as the Auxbeam.

The reduced bulk and clutter of a solid state controller has a lot of value. In my case, the Auxbeam was an immediate non-starter based on its size alone.

 

[mjonesjr84]

The reduced bulk and clutter of a solid state controller has a lot of value. In my case, the Auxbeam was an immediate non-starter based on its size alone.

The AuxBeam has a solid state relays on its controller. The relay housing on the AuxBeam is the same size, if not smaller, than the SSV.

I'm sure the SSV is a really great controller, but the cost drive it out of the market. It is like buying an Escalade when a Yukon has the same options for a lot less money.

 

[jjvw]

The AuxBeam has a solid state relays on its controller. The relay housing on the AuxBeam is the same size, if not smaller, than the SSV.

I'm sure the SSV is a really great controller, but the cost drive it out of the market. It is like buying an Escalade when a Yukon has the same options for a lot less money.

My SwitchPros is all solid state and it's two major parts are no larger than a pair of cell phones. That space savings is valuable when it is needed.

 

[mjonesjr84]

My SwitchPros is all solid state and it's two major parts are no larger than a pair of cell phones. That space savings is valuable when it is needed.

I'm really not trying to argue. The AuxBeam's new models are very small controllers. The 12-gang is only 10"x6". I'm just saying, for the cost difference, I can find a place to put the controller (solid state & fused). You could even buy custom cables and mount it inside somewhere for a heck of a lot less.

Edit:
Now I see the second link to the SwitchPro, I can see the controller is much smaller. I was comparing the AuxBeam switch controller to the SSV's. I still think I could find another use with the $700 difference.

 

[mrblaine]

I'm really not trying to argue.

Try harder.

 

[Lou]

auxbeam is for poor people.

 

[mjonesjr84]

Try harder.

You've got a lot of room to talk.

There's not been any reason stated as to why the $1k switch panel is better than the $300 one. If space is worth $700 to you, then good for you.

 

[mrblaine]

You've got a lot of room to talk.

I'm not picking on something because I'm a cheap ass who lets that define choices rather than understanding.

There's not been any reason stated as to why the $1k switch panel is better than the $300 one. If space is worth $700 to you, then good for you.

You ignored the reasons Josh gave about some things.

 

[mrblaine]

auxbeam is for poor people.

There are lots of ways to be poor without ever bringing cost into it.

 

[psrivats]

There's not been any reason stated as to why the $1k switch panel is better than the $300 one.

This is getting silly.

Did you actually watch the video and understand the programmable nature of things? And how you can expand the brain or the switch controller as needed for different applications? And that those push switches are actually LCDs that can display very many things? And configurable amperage in the switches, setting priority and such?

I literally stated in the OP that these are a different league of switch than what Auxbeam offers. You may not have a need for any of the things that make SSV SW or SP-Force-12 special and you are just looking at switch count when comparing to Auxbeam. I can make the same argument against Auxbeam too, comparing to the cost of 12 switches and standard relays/fuse box, but I don't because there is something that you get with Auxbeam.

You can take your 700 dollar difference and buy something you like for your jeep with it and let us overspending idiots discuss minutiae that don't matter to you.

 

[Mike_H]

Wow! That is a really cool unit. Bringing programmable HMI to the masses. Really neat idea. I don’t think most have that need, but for a guy scratch building a race car or trail only rig, that could simplify a LOT of the control interface.

I don’t know about having page one, page two, etc… I do think that would be a bit of a pain to handle, vs just having a second control. Neat that the option is there though. It’s also cool that you can program a single button to control multiple outputs. Like, a single button push will turn ALL of your lights on or off, or you can trigger them independently.

Nice find, Sri.

 

[sab]

It’s also cool that you can program a single button to control multiple outputs. Like, a single button push will turn ALL of your lights on or off, or you can trigger them independently.

That's my one beef with the SwitchPro. My LJ will be a backcountry rig for me, which means travelling back roads with very little traffic, but plenty of wildlife crossing them. Before I decided to go with the SwitchPro, I had set up my conventional switch bank so that there was one master switch for all the forward-facing lights (bumper, A-pillar, and light bar.) In other words, if I wanted two of the three on, I'd turn the master switch on, and then the two individual switches on. In most states, the lights aren't legal to run. With the master switch, I can quickly shut them off and back on when coming up on opposing traffic in those very rare cases.

The same cannot be done with the SwitchPro. They have a master switch option, but it's all on and all off (can't do two of the three). Oh, I can set up individual master switches for each combination, but that requires three switches (and remembering which one to press, which could take longer than the interaction with the other vehicle). Plus, I only have one spare switch right now. I called and requested they consider this for a future update, and it was not well-received. I could also wire a master switch separately, with a relay for each output from the SwitchPro brain box, but that kind of defeats the purpose of an all-in-one, solid state output controller. It sounds like I might be able to do what I want to with this SSV product. However, I like simplicity. While the LCD display thing sounds nice, I'd rather not rely on the LCDs continuing to work years down the road in order to use my switches.

 

[Mike_H]

That's my one beef with the SwitchPro. My LJ will be a backcountry rig for me, which means travelling back roads with very little traffic, but plenty of wildlife crossing them. Before I decided to go with the SwitchPro, I had set up my conventional switch bank so that there was one master switch for all the forward-facing lights (bumper, A-pillar, and light bar.) In other words, if I wanted two of the three on, I'd turn the master switch on, and then the two individual switches on. In most states, the lights aren't legal to run. With the master switch, I can quickly shut them off and back on when coming up on opposing traffic in those very rare cases.

The same cannot be done with the SwitchPro. They have a master switch option, but it's all on and all off (can't do two of the three). Oh, I can set up individual master switches for each combination, but that requires three switches (and remembering which one to press, which could take longer than the interaction with the other vehicle). Plus, I only have one spare switch right now. I called and requested they consider this for a future update, and it was not well-received. I could also wire a master switch separately, with a relay for each output from the SwitchPro brain box, but that kind of defeats the purpose of an all-in-one, solid state output controller. It sounds like I might be able to do what I want to with this SSV product. However, I like simplicity. While the LCD display thing sounds nice, I'd rather not rely on the LCDs continuing to work years down the road in order to use my switches.

I do believe that the new version of the switchpro that @psrivats linked about (the 12 button version) has the master on/off capability as well. Its also very possible that I'm not understanding their ad copy properly, and it works as you've described. I only have a tenuous grasp of relay logic and the nomenclature used to describe it. I get by with brute force and lots of trial and error. I've picked up enough over the years of dealing with industrial controls to be dangerous, but I'm not what you would call an expert.

 

[jjvw]

SwitchPro has a double tap feature for each button. My light buttons will double tap to strobe. And my one programmed Master switch will turn on all lights and also double tap to strobe all lights.