Switch Pros/ARB Lockers ?s

Greetings, I’m in the process of regearing and adding lockers on my 2015 DCLB, and had a few questions/observations. I recently installed a switch pro 9100 on a power tray, and my plan was to install my ARB compressor and locker solenoids onto the SP unit. I mounted my remote next to the cup holder, so it could be at my fingertips and I wouldn’t have to take my eyes off the road to find it.

After installing and just kinda looking at things I had some concerns…

If I’m going down highway at 70mph and the front locker accidentally gets pressed, that would be bad. If I’m not mistaken how the ARB compressor and solenoids wire up, if I press a locker solenoid the air compressor automatically kicks on. Is this true?

From what I’ve seen switch pros does not have a feature where I have to depress the switch for a few seconds for activation….it’s just push on/off. Also considering the other issue of if something were to happen to the SP unit (failure) I’d have no air and lockers…

This is making me reconsider wiring the compressor and locker solenoids info OEM type switches in the dash…it seems like it would be much more difficult to accidentally engage them that way.

Does anyone have any input or have any experience with this? Any help is greatly appreciated. For reference I’ve installed or will be installing:

Power trays

$659 SP9100 Switch Pros SP-9100 8-Switch Panel Power System With Concealed Mounting Hardware

SP9100
ARB Dual compressor
Arb manifold
Arb F/R lockers
Expedetion Essentials bedside compressor mount
Expedition essentials wiring harness w/solenoids

 

I plan to have my compressor and air locker controlled via my switch pro.

The way the stock ARB setup works is that BOTH the compressor and locker switch must be on to energize the air locker solenoid. If you switch on the locker without the compressor switch also on, nothing will happen.

When you use the switch pro you could reproduce this in a few ways using hardware. My approach was different. I installed a dump valve on my compressor which allows me to release pressure from the air system. I did this for a couple reasons but one was to eliminate the chance of an accidental button press or some other failure from locking my front diff at speed in 2wd. Once the pressure is released it again requires two switches to be activated, the compressor and the front locker, for the front diff to get locked.

Edit for clarification: The stock setup does not let the solenoid that controls the air locker energize unless both switches are on. You can reproduce this by running your outputs through a couple relays so that the locker control solenoid only turns on when both outputs (compressor and front locker) are switched on.

My setup allows the front air locker solenoid to be energized at any time. However, it won't allow the front locker to actually lock because there is no pressure source after releasing air via the dump valve. In order to re-energize the pressure source, the compressor must also be turned on. This safety mechanism requires that the air pressure be dumped in order to require 2 switch presses to get the front locker locked.

 

Did you use the switch pro / ARB pigtail from switch pro to accomplish this?

 

I’m installing front and rear ARB lockers that will be powered by an ARB twin onboard air compressor I’ve already installed.

Does anybody have any feedback or lessons learned for running a SP 9100 to operate an ARB compressor and ARB lockers? This is the route I want to go. Ideally, my system would incorporate some safety circuitry, like what is mentioned above, to prevent inadvertently engaging the lockers.

I’ve got the following parts in my shopping cart, anything I am missing?

SP9100 SWITCH PANEL POWER SYSTEM
$659.00
https://store.switchpros.com/sp9100-switch-panel-power-system/

Switch-Pro Accessory Bundle > Tacoma TRD Sport/ SR5/ LimitedPowerTraysNEW DUAL CB W/ TIE-DOWN / PACK OF 3 - IGNITION, LIGHT SENSE & TRIGGER
$360
https://www.powertrays.com/products...-trd-sport-sr5-limited?variant=41786576863391

SWITCH-PROS POWERTRAY > TACOMA > SR, SR5, TRD SPORT, LIMITED
$ 135.00
https://www.powertrays.com/products/vertical-mount-switch-pros-powertray-05-current-tacoma-sr-sr5-trd-sport-limited?variant=45002866753695

QUICK CONNECT HARNESS FOR ARB COMPRESSORS
$21.00
https://store.switchpros.com/quick-connect-harness-for-arb-compressors/

I’d also be running a light bar and ditch lights from the SP9100 and tying a winch into the bus that comes with the power tray accessory pack.

Also looking for lessons learned on best setup to mount the SP9100 to the dash of a Gen 2. I’ve seen clean setups on the armrest behind the cup holder, but I’d prefer to mount on the left side of the steering wheel. It looks like all the mounts on the market are for Gen 3.

Thanks in advance for any guidance.

 

i have both the arb twin and both arb lockers controlled on my switchpros. plus i have an air tank that is always full so the compressor does not need to be on to activate the lockers.
switchpros panel is mounted left of steering wheel on the dash, not really in a place to accidentally hit buttons. It's never been a concern to accidentally hit the lockers unintentionally.

 

Thanks a lot for the information! A few questions about your install if you have the time.

-Is the air tank critical for the lockers or was that added to offer additional functionality, like airing up tires? I am leaning towards adding the tank, but not sure if it is totally necessary.

-Did you go with the ARB tank and where did you mount it?

-Did you get the Switch Pro ARB harness?

-Did you find a mounting solution for the

$659 SP9100 Switch Pros SP-9100 8-Switch Panel Power System With Concealed Mounting Hardware

SP9100? I’m not seeing any for Gen 2 to get it on the left side of steering wheel.

Appreciate the assistance!

 

airtank is not needed for locker functionality, mainly it reduces stress on the compressor from cycling on and off often, plus I run air springs so having a tank allows for faster changes.
I am using a larger tank (not from ARB) mounted inside the frame rails here

no, I'm pretty comfortable creating harnesses myself, so did not consider the arb harness (not sure it was even available at the time)
Sorry, I'm on a third gen so can't help you on the mounting left of the wheel, but bambu 3d printers are on massive sale right now, you can design and print your own!

 

Awesome setup. I am adding the Firestone Ride Right air bags in the back in addition to the lockers, so will probably do a similar tank setup. Appreciate the help!

 

Source of that air tank and its close cousins would be appreciated. TIA

 

https://switchsuspension.com/seamless-tanks-4-spun-aluminum-air-tank/

 

Thanks for the link, really helps a lot.