CAN Control of inVIEW

Three Ways to Control inVIEW From Your Infinitybox System

The inVIEW Wiper Control Module is a full member of the Infinitybox ecosystem. When it’s part of your system, inVIEW receives its commands over the Infinitybox CAN network — the same network that ties the rest of your Infinitybox components together. That means you can operate your wipers from any of the control interfaces in your system, and it all works over a single pair of network wires.

To get inVIEW talking on the network, you’ll connect CAN HI and CAN LO to the Infinitybox CAN bus. Be sure to follow the instructions in your inVIEW manual to make these connections correctly. Once inVIEW is on the network, you have three different ways to control it.

Control With Switches Wired to Your MASTERCELL

If you’re running physical switches in your build, you can wire them to the inputs on your MASTERCELL and use them to operate inVIEW. This lets you keep the tactile feel of real switches — whether that’s a factory stalk, billet buttons, or toggles on a custom panel — while inVIEW handles all the wiper logic behind the scenes. Because your switches only need to trigger a MASTERCELL input, you can leave the big, clunky factory wiper control switches behind and use whatever clean, compact switch fits your build.

You can assign your MASTERCELL inputs to any of the inVIEW functions, including low, high, intermittent and washer.

To assign your MASTERCELL inputs to the inVIEW functions, reference the inCODE NGX instructions. inCODE NGX walks you through mapping each input to the wiper function you want it to control.

Control From the inTOUCH Screens on inLINK NGX

If your system includes inLINK NGX, you can control inVIEW directly from the inTOUCH screens. The Wiper Control screen puts every function right at your fingertips on the display. And because inTOUCH runs over your inLINK network, you can pull it up on any smartphone, tablet, or other WiFi-enabled touchscreen that connects to inLINK — giving you wiper control from whatever device is already in your hand.

inTOUCH Wiper Control screen on an inLINK NGX system displayed on an iPad, showing Low, High and INT buttons in a row with a wide Wash button below, and navigation buttons along the left for other vehicle functions.

inVIEW wiper control through the inTOUCH screen on inLINK NGX

From this screen you get low, high and intermittent wiper speeds, along with a wide Wash button for the washer pump. Navigation along the side takes you to the rest of your inTOUCH functions, so wiper control lives right alongside everything else in your system — no extra switches required.

Control From the inCONTROL

The inCONTROL gives you another clean, switch-free way to operate inVIEW. Start from the home screen and rotate the ring to highlight the wiper function, then touch the screen to open it.

Infinitybox inCONTROL round display showing function icons arranged in an arc on the left with the wiper icon highlighted, and the Infinitybox cube logo on the right.

Selecting wiper control on the Infinitybox inCONTROL

That brings you to the inVIEW wiper control screen, where low, high, intermittent and washer are arranged around the display. A yellow arc around each function shows you whether it’s on or off, and touching a function turns it on or off.

Infinitybox inCONTROL wiper control screen with HI, INT, WASH and LO functions arranged as four pie sections at the 12:00, 3:00, 6:00 and 9:00 positions, each with a yellow arc indicating whether that function is on or off.

The inVIEW wiper control screen on the Infinitybox inCONTROL

One Module, Your Choice of Controls

However you like to interact with your vehicle — real switches through your MASTERCELL, the inTOUCH screens on inLINK NGX, or the inCONTROL — inVIEW responds to all of them over the Infinitybox CAN network. That’s the advantage of building with Infinitybox: one wiper module, controlled however fits your build.

For the wiring details specific to your wiper motor, see the manual for your version:

Greenworks 10.1" touchscreen mounted in a truck center console, connected to an Infinitybox IPM1 Kit

Connect a Custom Touchscreen to Your IPM1 Kit

Some of our customers want to do more than wire up a set of switches. They want to build their own way to control their Infinitybox system — a custom interface, a custom dashboard, their own logic — and make their vehicle truly one of a kind. The Next Generation IPM1 Kit was designed to welcome exactly that kind of creativity.

The entire Next Generation System runs on J1939, the same robust CAN protocol trusted across the heavy-duty and commercial vehicle world. We publish the J1939 messages that command the MASTERCELL NGX, POWERCELL NGX, inMOTION NGX and inVIEW modules, which means a builder who wants to create their own controller has a clear, documented path to do it. Want to drive the system from a touchscreen? A custom panel? Something no one has tried yet? The door is open.

Here is a customer who walked right through it.

A Builder-Designed Touchscreen Console

Custom touchscreen interface for the IPM1 Kit showing controls for windows, ignition, starter, and lighting

The custom touchscreen interface for “Shameless,” a 1967 C10, with controls for windows, ignition, starter, and lighting.

Brook B. at White Post Restorations wanted something clean, modern, and entirely his own for the center console of a truck build. So he designed it — a portrait-mounted 10.1″ Greenworks touchscreen running on a Raspberry Pi, with a custom interface he created to control the vehicle’s electrical system.

The result is elegant. Tap an element on the screen, and the corresponding function comes to life through his Infinitybox system. No bank of physical switches. No cluttered dash. Just a sleek, intuitive display that looks like it belongs in a vehicle costing many times more.

How He Connected It

This is where the open architecture of the IPM1 Kit shines. Brook had more than one path available to him, and that flexibility is the whole point.

He chose to drive the inputs on his MASTERCELL NGX directly, using an MCP23017 I/O expander on a development board. The touch elements on his screen trigger the expander, the expander drives the MASTERCELL NGX inputs, and the system responds. Clean and direct.

Another option would have been a CAN hat for the Raspberry Pi, connecting straight to our J1939 network and sending messages directly to the system. Both approaches work. Both are open to any builder. The choice comes down to what fits your project best — and that is precisely the freedom we want our customers to have.

The Role of AI

Here is the part that would have sounded like science fiction a few years ago. Brook used AI tools to help write the code that builds his screens and controls the entire system. He did not need to be a career software engineer. He had a vision, a set of modern tools, and a system designed to be controlled — and he brought it all together.

This is the new world opening up for builders. Affordable, powerful platforms like Raspberry Pi and Arduino, combined with AI-assisted coding, are putting custom vehicle control within reach of anyone willing to experiment. Pair those tools with a system that was built to be controlled, and the creative possibilities multiply.

This Is What Flexibility Looks Like

We did not build Brook’s touchscreen. He did. We simply built a system flexible enough to say yes to it.

That is the philosophy behind the entire Next Generation System: flexibility, functionality, and simplicity. Give builders a solid, reliable foundation, publish the messages that control it, and then get out of the way so they can create.

Brook’s console is one example. Yours could be the next.

Ready to Build Something of Your Own?

If you are dreaming up a custom way to control your vehicle — a touchscreen, a custom controller, an integration we have not even thought of yet — start with the IPM1 Kit. Then reach out to us. We are always happy to talk through the options for expanding how you control your car.

Get your IPM1 Kit today, and let’s see what you build.

Call us at (847) 232-1991 or visit infinitybox.com to get started.

Wiring the Cooling Fan with the IPM1 Kit

Table of Contents

Overview

Your Infinitybox IPM1 Kit makes it easy to control your cooling fan. The MASTERCELL NGX takes the trigger signal from your temperature switch or ECU. It sends a command over the CAN network to the front POWERCELL to turn the cooling fan on and off. The POWERCELL has the switching and fuse protection built in. This eliminates the need for an external relay and a separate fuse for your cooling fan circuit.

The POWERCELL also soft-starts the cooling fan motor. This reduces the in-rush current when the fan first turns on. Soft-starting lets you drive a larger fan with a smaller gauge of wire. Click here to learn more about the benefits of soft-starting.

There are two main ways to trigger your cooling fan with the MASTERCELL NGX. You can use a traditional thermostatic switch or you can use the trigger from your ECU. The MASTERCELL NGX accepts both ground-switched and high-side switched (12-volt) inputs. This gives you the flexibility to handle either type of trigger without adding external components.

Before you go any further, check the configuration sheet that came with your IPM1 Kit. Your configuration sheet is the single point of truth for the wire colors and connector locations in your system. It will tell you which MASTERCELL NGX input is assigned to your cooling fan and which POWERCELL output drives the fan motor.

Wiring a Thermostatic Switch

The most common way to trigger your cooling fan is with a thermostatic switch. This is a temperature-activated switch that is usually threaded into your radiator or your engine. Inside the switch, there is a bi-metal element that is set for a specific temperature. When the coolant temperature exceeds that set point, the switch closes internally and connects its terminal to ground. When the coolant temperature drops below the set point, the switch opens and disconnects from ground.

This is a ground-switched signal. You are going to connect the MASTERCELL NGX input for your cooling fan directly to the terminal on the thermostatic switch. When the switch closes, it will ground the MASTERCELL NGX input. The MASTERCELL NGX sees this change and sends a command to the front POWERCELL to turn on the cooling fan output. When the switch opens, the MASTERCELL NGX sends a command to turn the output off.

There are two common types of thermostatic switches. The most common type has a single quick-disconnect terminal. This type of switch grounds through its metal body when it threads into the radiator or the engine. You connect the MASTERCELL NGX input wire to that terminal.

The second type has two terminals. Both terminals are isolated from the metal body of the switch. You connect the MASTERCELL NGX input to one terminal and connect the other terminal to ground.

Image of wiring diagram showing how to wire a thermostatic cooling fan switch to the Infinitybox MASTERCELL

Image of wiring diagram showing how to wire a thermostatic cooling fan switch to the Infinitybox MASTERCELL

Here is an important note about temperature switches and temperature senders. There is a big difference between them. A temperature switch turns on and off at a set temperature. A temperature sender is a variable-resistance device that controls your temperature gauge. You cannot connect your cooling fan input on the MASTERCELL NGX to your temperature sender. They are two separate devices with two separate functions.

Wiring the Cooling Fan Trigger from an ECU

Many modern ECUs and EFI systems have a dedicated output to trigger the cooling fan. The ECU monitors the engine coolant temperature through its own sensor and decides when to turn the fan on and off. If your ECU has this capability, you can wire its cooling fan trigger directly to the MASTERCELL NGX instead of using a thermostatic switch.

The important thing to understand is whether your ECU has a ground-switched trigger or a 12-volt (high-side switched) trigger. Check the manual for your ECU to determine which type of trigger it has. The MASTERCELL NGX can handle both types of triggers natively.

Wiring diagram showing how to wire a thermostatic cooling fan switch to the MASTERCELL NGX in the Infinitybox IPM1 Kit

This diagram shows the connections between the thermostatic cooling fan switch, the MASTERCELL NGX, and the front POWERCELL in the Infinitybox IPM1 Kit.

Ground-Switched Trigger from ECU

If your ECU has a ground-switched cooling fan trigger, it internally connects the trigger wire to ground when it wants the fan on. You are going to connect this trigger to a ground-switched input on the MASTERCELL NGX.

We always recommend isolating any ground-switched input from an external system like an ECU with a 1N4001 diode. The reason is that we do not know what the ECU does with its trigger when it is off. It may let the trigger voltage float or it may pull the trigger up to battery voltage. Either of these conditions could cause erratic behavior on the MASTERCELL NGX input. To isolate the input, solder a 1N4001 diode in series between the MASTERCELL NGX input and the cooling fan trigger wire on the ECU. Install the diode with the anode facing the MASTERCELL NGX. The orientation of this diode is critical and the system will not work correctly if the diode is wired backwards.

12-Volt Trigger from ECU

If your ECU has a 12-volt cooling fan trigger, it outputs battery voltage on the trigger wire when it wants the fan on. You are going to connect this trigger to one of the high-side switched inputs on the MASTERCELL NGX.

The MASTERCELL NGX has the ability to accept 12-volt input signals directly on its high-side switched inputs. There is no need for an inVERT Mini or any other external component to flip this signal. This is one of the key advantages of the MASTERCELL NGX in your IPM1 Kit.

Adding a Bypass Switch

You may want to add a bypass switch that lets you turn on the cooling fan manually at any time. This is usually a simple toggle switch on the dash. It gives you the ability to turn the fan on even when the engine is not up to temperature.

To wire a bypass switch, connect a MASTERCELL NGX ground-switched input to one terminal on the toggle switch. Connect the other terminal to ground. You can assign this to the same cooling fan output on the POWERCELL through your inCODE NGX configuration. When you flip the switch, it grounds the MASTERCELL NGX input and turns on the cooling fan regardless of the state of your thermostatic switch or ECU trigger.

Check your configuration sheet for the specific input assigned to your bypass switch.

Wiring the POWERCELL Output to the Cooling Fan

Once you have the trigger side wired to the MASTERCELL NGX, you need to wire the output side. Connect the cooling fan output on your front POWERCELL to one wire on the cooling fan motor. Connect the other wire on the cooling fan motor to a good chassis ground. Make sure you have a solid metal-to-metal connection with no paint, grease, powder coating, or dirt in the way.

We recommend using a 25-amp fuse in the POWERCELL output to protect the wiring between the POWERCELL and the fan motor. Check your configuration sheet for the specific output and wire color for your cooling fan.

Resources

Our resources section has wiring diagrams for many different ECU and EFI systems. These show the specific connections between the ECU and the MASTERCELL NGX for the cooling fan trigger, fuel pump trigger, and ignition power. Check the blog on our website for your specific ECU.

Click here to contact our team or call us at (847) 232-1991 with any questions about wiring your cooling fan with the IPM1 Kit.

Wiring Dakota Digital GRFX Gauges with the IPM1 Kit

Table of Contents

Overview

Dakota Digital has been in the business of making advanced electrical products for the automotive aftermarket for a long time. Their products include gauges, lighting, cruise control systems, gear indicators, linear actuators, climate control interfaces and other automotive accessories. Their GRFX series represents the latest in their electronic dashboard technology. The GRFX system features full-color TFT displays with user-configurable layouts, themes and colors. A lot of our customers have asked about how to connect their GRFX controller box to our Infinitybox system. This blog post is going to walk you through the details of wiring Dakota Digital GRFX gauges with the IPM1 Kit featuring the MASTERCELL NGX.

This post is specific to our IPM1 Kit with the MASTERCELL NGX. If you have our legacy 20-Circuit Kit or our 3-Cell Kit, the wiring connections are different.

Before we go too far, this post is only going to cover wiring primary power, ground, key-on power, gauge illumination and the signals for the indicators on the dash. Their manual will cover the details for the rest of the wiring. If you are using the VHX or RTX gauges, we have separate posts covering those systems.

The big advantage of the IPM1 Kit is how the MASTERCELL NGX simplifies these connections. The MASTERCELL NGX has built-in low-current indicator outputs. In most installations, the MASTERCELL is located behind the dash — right where the Dakota Digital GRFX controller box is also located. With the IPM1 Kit, you can connect the MASTERCELL NGX indicator outputs directly to the GRFX controller without running wires back to the front POWERCELL. This is a significant wiring simplification compared to the legacy 20-Circuit Kit.

Important: The indicator outputs on the MASTERCELL NGX are limited to 1 amp each. The Dakota Digital documentation shows that the IGNITION PWR terminal on the GRFX controller draws less than 1 amp, which means it can be connected directly to a MASTERCELL NGX output. The turn signal indicators, high-beam indicator and gauge illumination outputs are designed to drive low-current loads. Do not connect anything else to these outputs that could push the total current draw over the 1-amp threshold.

This diagram shows an overview of the connections from the MASTERCELL NGX to the GRFX controller box.

Picture of wiring diagram showing how to wire Dakota Digital GRFX Gauges with the Infinitybox IPM1 Kit featuring the MASTERCELL NGX

Wiring diagram showing how to wire the Dakota Digital GRFX Controller Box to the Infinitybox IPM1 Kit.

Constant Power and Ground

The GRFX controller needs constant power from the battery. Connect the 12 VDC CONSTANT terminal on their controller box directly to the positive terminal on the battery. You must fuse this wire at the battery for safety. Dakota Digital recommends a fused 5 to 20 amp circuit for this connection.

You also have to connect the GROUND terminal on their controller box to a good chassis ground connection. This must be a metal-to-metal connection that is free of paint, powder coating, dirt and debris.

Key-On Power

The GRFX controller box needs ignition or key-on power. This is what turns the gauges on when you turn the key in the car. With the IPM1 Kit, your MASTERCELL NGX has a dedicated indicator output for the ignition signal. Connect this output to the IGNITION PWR terminal on the GRFX controller box.

Since the MASTERCELL NGX is located behind the dash, this connection is short and direct. You are connecting two components that are both behind the dash. With the legacy 20-Circuit Kit, this power came from the front POWERCELL ignition output and you had to run a wire from the front of the car back to the GRFX controller behind the dash.

Check the configuration sheet that came with your IPM1 Kit to confirm the specific output assignment for your ignition indicator.

Gauge Illumination

You need to connect the gauge illumination output on the MASTERCELL NGX to the DIM(+) terminal on the GRFX controller box. This will change the display colors and brightness on the GRFX gauges when you have your parking or headlights on.

Again, this is a direct behind-the-dash connection with the IPM1 Kit. The MASTERCELL NGX indicator output for the gauge illumination connects straight to the DIM(+) terminal on the GRFX controller.

Turn Signal and High-Beam Indicators

Lastly, you need to connect the MASTERCELL NGX indicator outputs for your turn signals and high-beam to their respective terminals on the GRFX controller box. Connect the left turn signal indicator output to the LEFT(+) terminal, the right turn signal indicator output to the RIGHT(+) terminal and the high-beam indicator output to the HIGH(+) terminal.

When the MASTERCELL NGX is commanding the left turn signal, the indicator output will trigger and the left turn signal indicator will flash on the Dakota Digital GRFX display. The same applies for the right turn signal and the high-beam indicator.

These are all low-current indicator signals. The MASTERCELL NGX indicator outputs are purpose-built for this type of connection.

Legacy 20-Circuit Kit vs. IPM1 Kit

With the legacy 20-Circuit Kit, all of the signals going to the GRFX controller box came from outputs on the front POWERCELL. The ignition power, parking light dimmer, turn signals and high-beam connections all required splicing into POWERCELL output wires at the front of the car and running those wires back behind the dash to reach the GRFX controller. That meant longer wire runs and more splices.

The IPM1 Kit with the MASTERCELL NGX eliminates those long wire runs. The MASTERCELL NGX has built-in low-current indicator outputs that connect directly to the GRFX controller box. Since both the MASTERCELL NGX and the GRFX controller are located behind the dash, these connections are short and direct. You get a cleaner installation with less wiring.

The constant power and ground connections remain the same in both systems. The GRFX controller still gets its constant power directly from the battery and its ground from the chassis.

Downloads and Support

You can download a PDF of this wiring diagram by clicking this link.

Our technical support team is available to answer any questions about this blog post or any other topics about wiring your car with our Infinitybox system. Click on this link to get in touch with our team.

Picture of the Dakota Digital RTX Gauges

Wiring Dakota Digital RTX Gauges with the IPM1 Kit

Table of Contents

Overview

Dakota Digital has been in the business of making advanced electrical products for the automotive aftermarket for a long time. Their products include gauges, lighting, cruise control systems, gear indicators, linear actuators, climate control interfaces and other automotive accessories. Their RTX gauge family brings classic styling with modern features to any hot-rod, street rod, resto-mod or Pro-Touring build. A lot of our customers have asked about how to connect their RTX gauge controller box to our Infinitybox system. This blog post is going to walk you through the details of wiring Dakota Digital RTX gauges with the IPM1 Kit featuring the MASTERCELL NGX.

This post is specific to our IPM1 Kit with the MASTERCELL NGX. If you have our legacy 20-Circuit Kit or our 3-Cell Kit, the wiring connections are different. Click on this link to get to the wiring diagram for the legacy system.

Before we go too far, this post is only going to cover wiring primary power, ground, key-on power, gauge illumination and the signals for the indicators on the dash. Their manual will cover the details for the rest of the wiring. If you are using the VHX or GRFX gauges, we have separate posts covering those systems.

The big advantage of the IPM1 Kit is how the MASTERCELL NGX simplifies these connections. The MASTERCELL NGX has built-in low-current indicator outputs. In most installations, the MASTERCELL is located behind the dash — right where the Dakota Digital RTX controller box is also located. With the IPM1 Kit, you can connect the MASTERCELL NGX indicator outputs directly to the RTX controller without running wires back to the front POWERCELL. This is a significant wiring simplification compared to the legacy 20-Circuit Kit.

Important: The indicator outputs on the MASTERCELL NGX are limited to 1 amp each. The turn signal indicators, high-beam indicator and gauge illumination outputs are designed to drive low-current loads like LEDs. Do not connect anything else to these outputs that could push the total current draw over the 1-amp threshold.

This diagram shows an overview of the connections from the MASTERCELL NGX to the RTX controller box.

Picture of wiring diagram showing how to wire Dakota Digital RTX Gauges with the Infinitybox IPM1 Kit featuring the MASTERCELL NGX

Wiring diagram showing how to wire the Dakota Digital RTX Gauge Controller Box to the Infinitybox IPM1 Kit.

Constant Power and Ground

The RTX controller needs constant power from the battery. Connect the 12 VDC CONSTANT terminal on their controller box directly to the positive terminal on the battery. You must fuse this wire at the battery for safety.

You also have to connect the GROUND terminal on their controller box to a good chassis ground connection. This must be a metal-to-metal connection that is free of paint, powder coating, dirt and debris.

Key-On Power

The RTX controller box needs ignition or key-on power. This is what turns the gauges on when you turn the key in the car. With the IPM1 Kit, your MASTERCELL NGX has a dedicated indicator output for the ignition signal. Connect this output to the IGNITION PWR terminal on the RTX controller box.

Since the MASTERCELL NGX is located behind the dash, this connection is short and direct. You are connecting two components that are both behind the dash. With the legacy 20-Circuit Kit, this power came from the front POWERCELL ignition output and you had to run a wire from the front of the car back to the RTX controller behind the dash.

Check the configuration sheet that came with your IPM1 Kit to confirm the specific output assignment for your ignition indicator.

Gauge Illumination

You need to connect the gauge illumination output on the MASTERCELL NGX to the DIM terminal on the RTX controller box. This will turn on the illumination on the RTX gauges when you have your parking or headlights on.

Again, this is a direct behind-the-dash connection with the IPM1 Kit. The MASTERCELL NGX indicator output for the gauge illumination connects straight to the DIM terminal on the RTX controller.

Turn Signal and High-Beam Indicators

Lastly, you need to connect the MASTERCELL NGX indicator outputs for your turn signals and high-beam to their respective terminals on the RTX controller box. Connect the left turn signal indicator output to the LEFT terminal, the right turn signal indicator output to the RIGHT terminal and the high-beam indicator output to the HIGH terminal.

When the MASTERCELL NGX is commanding the left turn signal, the indicator output will trigger and the left turn signal indicator will flash on the Dakota Digital gauges. The same applies for the right turn signal and the high-beam indicator.

These are all low-current indicator signals designed to drive LEDs. The MASTERCELL NGX indicator outputs are purpose-built for this type of connection.

Legacy 20-Circuit Kit vs. IPM1 Kit

With the legacy 20-Circuit Kit, all of the signals going to the RTX controller box came from outputs on the front POWERCELL. The ignition power, parking light dimmer, turn signals and high-beam connections all required splicing into POWERCELL output wires at the front of the car and running those wires back behind the dash to reach the RTX controller. That meant longer wire runs and more splices.

The IPM1 Kit with the MASTERCELL NGX eliminates those long wire runs. The MASTERCELL NGX has built-in low-current indicator outputs that connect directly to the RTX controller box. Since both the MASTERCELL NGX and the RTX controller are located behind the dash, these connections are short and direct. You get a cleaner installation with less wiring.

The constant power and ground connections remain the same in both systems. The RTX controller still gets its constant power directly from the battery and its ground from the chassis.

Downloads and Support

You can download a PDF of this wiring diagram by clicking this link.

Our technical support team is available to answer any questions about this blog post or any other topics about wiring your car with our Infinitybox system. Click on this link to get in touch with our team.

Control module for the Dakota Digital VHX Gauges

Wiring Dakota Digital VHX Gauges with the IPM1 Kit

Table of Contents

Overview

Dakota Digital has been in the business of making advanced electrical products for the automotive aftermarket for a long time. Their products include gauges, lighting, cruise control systems, gear indicators, linear actuators, climate control interfaces and other automotive accessories. Their VHX series of gauges has become very popular in the market and a lot of our customers have asked about how to connect their VHX gauge controller box to our Infinitybox system. This blog post is going to walk you through the details of wiring Dakota Digital VHX gauges with the IPM1 Kit featuring the MASTERCELL NGX.

This post is specific to our IPM1 Kit with the MASTERCELL NGX. If you have our legacy 20-Circuit Kit or our 3-Cell Kit, the wiring connections are different. Click on this link to get to the wiring diagram for the legacy system.

Before we go too far, this post is only going to cover wiring primary power, ground, key-on power and the signals for the indicators on the dash. Their manual will cover the details for the rest of the wiring. If you are using the RTX or GRFX gauges, we have separate posts covering those systems.

The big advantage of the IPM1 Kit is how the MASTERCELL NGX simplifies these connections. The MASTERCELL NGX has built-in low-current indicator outputs. In most installations, the MASTERCELL is located behind the dash — right where the Dakota Digital VHX controller box is also located. With the IPM1 Kit, you can connect the MASTERCELL NGX indicator outputs directly to the VHX controller without running wires back to the front POWERCELL. This is a significant wiring simplification compared to the legacy 20-Circuit Kit.

Important: The indicator outputs on the MASTERCELL NGX are limited to 1 amp each. The Dakota Digital documentation shows that the ACC POWER feed draws less than 1 amp, which means it can be connected directly to a MASTERCELL NGX output. The turn signal indicators, high-beam indicator and gauge illumination outputs are designed to drive low-current loads like LEDs. Do not connect anything else to these outputs that could push the total current draw over the 1-amp threshold.

This diagram shows an overview of the connections from the MASTERCELL NGX to the VHX controller box.

Picture of wiring diagram showing how to wire Dakota Digital VHX Gauges with the Infinitybox IPM1 Kit featuring the MASTERCELL NGX

Wiring diagram showing how to wire the Dakota Digital VHX Gauge Controller Box to the Infinitybox IPM1 Kit.

Constant Power and Ground

The VHX controller needs constant power from the battery. Connect the CONST. POWER terminal on their controller box directly to the positive terminal on the battery. You must fuse this wire at the battery for safety.

You also have to connect the GROUND terminal on their controller box to a good chassis ground connection. This must be a metal-to-metal connection that is free of paint, powder coating, dirt and debris.

Key-On Power

The VHX controller box needs ignition or key-on power. This is what turns the gauges on when you turn the key in the car. With the IPM1 Kit, your MASTERCELL NGX has a dedicated indicator output for the ignition signal. Connect this output to the ACC POWER terminal on the VHX controller box.

Since the MASTERCELL NGX is located behind the dash, this connection is short and direct. You are connecting two components that are both behind the dash. With the legacy 20-Circuit Kit, this power came from the front POWERCELL ignition output and you had to run a wire from the front of the car back to the VHX controller behind the dash.

Check the configuration sheet that came with your IPM1 Kit to confirm the specific output assignment for your ignition indicator.

Gauge Illumination

You need to connect the gauge illumination output on the MASTERCELL NGX to the DIM(+) terminal on the VHX controller box. This will turn on the illumination on the VHX gauges when you have your parking or headlights on.

Again, this is a direct behind-the-dash connection with the IPM1 Kit. The MASTERCELL NGX indicator output for the parking lights connects straight to the DIM(+) terminal on the VHX controller.

Turn Signal and High-Beam Indicators

Lastly, you need to connect the MASTERCELL NGX indicator outputs for your turn signals and high-beam to their respective terminals on the VHX controller box. Connect the left turn signal indicator output to the LEFT(+) terminal, the right turn signal indicator output to the RIGHT(+) terminal and the high-beam indicator output to the HIGH(+) terminal.

When the MASTERCELL NGX is commanding the left turn signal, the indicator output will trigger and the left turn signal indicator will flash on the Dakota Digital gauges. The same applies for the right turn signal and the high-beam indicator.

These are all low-current indicator signals designed to drive LEDs. The MASTERCELL NGX indicator outputs are purpose-built for this type of connection.

Legacy 20-Circuit Kit vs. IPM1 Kit

With the legacy 20-Circuit Kit, all of the signals going to the VHX controller box came from outputs on the front POWERCELL. The ignition power, parking light dimmer, turn signals and high-beam connections all required splicing into POWERCELL output wires at the front of the car and running those wires back behind the dash to reach the VHX controller. That meant longer wire runs and more splices.

The IPM1 Kit with the MASTERCELL NGX eliminates those long wire runs. The MASTERCELL NGX has built-in low-current indicator outputs that connect directly to the VHX controller box. Since both the MASTERCELL NGX and the VHX controller are located behind the dash, these connections are short and direct. You get a cleaner installation with less wiring.

The constant power and ground connections remain the same in both systems. The VHX controller still gets its constant power directly from the battery and its ground from the chassis.

Downloads and Support

You can download a PDF of this wiring diagram by clicking this link.

Our technical support team is available to answer any questions about this blog post or any other topics about wiring your car with our Infinitybox system. Click on this link to get in touch with our team.

How to Enable inRESERVE with the MASTERCELL NGX

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The Problem: Battery Drain on Modern Classics

Classic cars were simple. An old car with mechanical switches and a set of points had practically no draw from the battery when the ignition was off. The car could sit in a garage for months with no issues. As our customers add computer-controlled EFI systems, audio systems, alarms and our Infinitybox system, the steady-state draw from the battery increases significantly. If the car sits for an extended period, that draw can drain the battery to the point where it will not start. Deep discharging is also detrimental to battery life, shortening the overall lifespan of the battery.

Our inRESERVE Active Battery Management System solves this problem by protecting your battery in two ways. First, it always preserves enough stored energy in the battery to crank the engine and get your car started. Second, it protects the battery from being deep-cycled. Deep cycling a battery can cause permanent damage and dramatically shorten its lifespan. inRESERVE monitors the battery voltage when the ignition is off and disconnects the battery before either of these becomes an issue. This post shows you how to enable inRESERVE on the MASTERCELL NGX in your IPM1 Kit.

How inRESERVE Works

The inRESERVE kit includes a latching solenoid that sits between the battery and the rest of the electrical system. The solenoid is a simple mechanical device — the intelligence is in the MASTERCELL NGX. When the ignition is off, the MASTERCELL NGX continuously monitors the battery voltage. If the voltage drops below the threshold for longer than the configured time period, the MASTERCELL NGX commands a POWERCELL output to send a momentary pulse to the solenoid. That pulse latches the solenoid open, disconnecting the battery from the rest of the system and preserving the remaining charge.

The inRESERVE kit also includes a momentary push button. If you know your car will be sitting for a while, you can press the button to manually disconnect the battery before the voltage drops. When you are ready to drive again, press the button to reconnect the battery and you are good to go.

Legacy Kit vs. IPM1 Kit

With our legacy 20-Circuit Kit, inRESERVE had to be pre-programmed on the MASTERCELL at the factory. If a customer ordered inRESERVE with their kit, we configured the MASTERCELL before it shipped. If they decided to add inRESERVE later, we had to reprogram their MASTERCELL to enable the feature. This meant extra lead time and coordination.

The IPM1 Kit eliminates that dependency entirely. The MASTERCELL NGX lets you enable inRESERVE yourself, right from the inSIGHT display. You choose the POWERCELL, the output, the timing and the voltage threshold — all without any factory involvement. You can add inRESERVE to your system whenever you are ready.

Before You Start

To enable inRESERVE, your MASTERCELL NGX must be running software version 1.3 or higher. If you are not sure which version you are running, follow the steps in our How to Check the Software Version on Your MASTERCELL NGX post to find out.

You will also need your IPM1 Kit configuration sheet so you can identify which POWERCELL outputs are available for inRESERVE. The available outputs are the OPEN outputs on your configuration sheet. These are universal and auxiliary outputs that are not assigned to fixed functions like turn signals, ignition or starter.

Step 1: Open the inRESERVE Menu

Press and release the HOME button on the MASTERCELL NGX to bring up the Main Menu. Use the SCROLL UP and SCROLL DOWN buttons to move the cursor to the inRESERVE option. Press and release SELECT.

Step 2: Enable inRESERVE

The next screen gives you the option to enable or disable inRESERVE. By default, inRESERVE is disabled. Use the SCROLL UP and SCROLL DOWN buttons to move the cursor to ENABLED. Press and release SELECT.

Step 3: Select the POWERCELL

Next, you need to select which POWERCELL will control the inRESERVE solenoid. You will see options for Front PC, Rear PC and Powercell 3. Choose the POWERCELL that is closest to where the solenoid and battery are located in your car. If the battery is in the trunk, select Rear PC. If the battery is under the hood, select Front PC. The Powercell 3 option is only used for custom configurations developed with our team.

Use the SCROLL UP and SCROLL DOWN buttons to move the cursor to the POWERCELL you want. Press and release SELECT.

Step 4: Select the Output

The MASTERCELL NGX will show you the available POWERCELL outputs based on which cell you selected in the previous step. These are the OPEN outputs on your configuration sheet. In the standard front-engine configuration, the available outputs on the Front POWERCELL are outputs 7, 8, 9 and 10. On the Rear POWERCELL, the available outputs are 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9.

Use the SCROLL UP and SCROLL DOWN buttons to move the cursor to the output you want to use for inRESERVE. Press and release SELECT.

Step 5: Select the Time

Next, you need to select the time delay. This is the amount of time that the battery voltage must remain below the threshold before inRESERVE activates and disconnects the battery. Your options are 15 minutes and 20 minutes. The default is 15 minutes and we strongly recommend keeping this setting. This gives enough time for brief voltage dips during normal operation without triggering a disconnect.

Use the SCROLL UP and SCROLL DOWN buttons to move the cursor to the time you want. Press and release SELECT.

Step 6: Select the Voltage Threshold

The last setting is the voltage threshold. This is the battery voltage level that triggers the time delay. When the ignition is off and the battery voltage drops below this threshold, the countdown begins. Your options are 12.2V and 12.3V. We strongly recommend 12.2V. This is the standard threshold that we used on our legacy kits and provides the right balance between protecting the battery and avoiding unnecessary disconnects.

Use the SCROLL UP and SCROLL DOWN buttons to move the cursor to the voltage threshold you want. Press and release SELECT. Your inRESERVE settings are automatically saved when you press SELECT on this final screen.

Wiring the inRESERVE Solenoid

Once you have enabled inRESERVE on the MASTERCELL NGX, you need to wire the solenoid. The inRESERVE kit includes everything you need: the latching solenoid, a MEGA fuse and fuseholder, a momentary reset button, an inline fuse holder with a 10-amp fuse, ring terminals, terminal boots and 14 AWG wire. Download the inRESERVE wiring schematic for the complete wiring details. Do not run the starter current through the solenoid.

Make sure that the reset button is mounted in an accessible location. When inRESERVE disconnects the battery, the car will have no power. You need to be able to reach the button to reconnect the system. The button included with the kit can be replaced with any momentary button rated to at least 7A at 12V.

Questions?

If you have any questions about how to enable inRESERVE or anything else about your Infinitybox system, our technical support team is here to help. Give us a call at (847) 232-1991 or fill out our contact form and we will get back to you.

How to Select Your IPM1 Kit Configuration

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What is the IPM1 Kit Configuration?

Every IPM1 Kit ships with a base configuration loaded on the MASTERCELL NGX. This configuration is the roadmap that you use to wire your car. It identifies each MASTERCELL input wire, its function and the POWERCELL outputs that it controls. This includes all of the key electrical functions in your car like ignition, starter, turn signals, headlights, parking lights, horn, fuel pump, cooling fans and more.

The configuration sheet is the document that details all of these assignments. It shows you the MASTERCELL input wire colors, the POWERCELL output wire colors and the personalities assigned to each output. This link will take you to an example of the front-engine configuration for the IPM1 Kit. You can learn more about how to read the configuration sheet and understand the POWERCELL output assignments by clicking this link. You should keep your configuration sheet handy throughout your entire wiring project. It is the single most important reference document for your build.

About 95% of our customers use the stock configuration with no changes. For those who need to make modifications, our inCODE NGX programming tool lets you customize your configuration to meet the specific needs of your project.

Front-Engine vs. Rear-Engine Configurations

The IPM1 Kit has two core configurations: front-engine and rear-engine. The main difference between these two configurations is where the ignition and starter outputs are located.

In the front-engine configuration, the ignition and starter outputs are on the front POWERCELL. This makes sense for most builds because the engine is in the front of the car and the POWERCELL that is closest to the engine handles the ignition and starter.

In the rear-engine configuration, the ignition and starter outputs move to the rear POWERCELL. This is the right choice if you are building a mid-engine or rear-engine car like a Factory Five GTM or a Race Car Replicas SL-C. In these builds, the engine is behind the driver and the rear POWERCELL is closest to the engine.

Most of our customers are building front-engine cars, so the IPM1 Kit ships with the front-engine configuration loaded by default. If you are building a mid-engine or rear-engine car, you can easily change this yourself right from the MASTERCELL NGX.

Legacy Kits vs. the IPM1 Kit

With our legacy 20-Circuit Kit and 3-Cell Kit, we had to pre-program the configuration at the factory before shipping it to you. If you needed a rear-engine setup, you had to let us know when you placed your order and we would program the kit accordingly.

The IPM1 Kit puts this control in your hands. You can select your IPM1 Kit configuration directly from the MASTERCELL NGX without needing to contact us or send anything back. This is a big improvement in flexibility. If you change your mind about your build or want to start fresh, you can reload a configuration yourself at any time.

Please note that this process only works for the MASTERCELL NGX module that comes with the IPM1 Kit.  It will not work for the Legacy MASTERCELL that came with the 3-Cell kit or the 20-Circuit Kit.  Contact our technical support team if you need support for these legacy systems.  

How to Select Your IPM1 Kit Configuration

The MASTERCELL NGX has three buttons on the front of the unit: SELECT, SCROLL UP and SCROLL DOWN. You will use these buttons to select your IPM1 Kit configuration. Here are the steps to follow.

Step 1 — Start with the system powered off. Make sure that your MASTERCELL NGX is not powered up. The main power from the battery should be disconnected.

Step 2 — Press and hold the SELECT button. With the system off, press and hold the SELECT button on the MASTERCELL NGX. While you are holding the SELECT button, turn the main power on.

Step 3 — Release the SELECT button. When the MASTERCELL NGX powers up, you will see a screen that says FORCE REINIT! Release button. This tells you that the MASTERCELL NGX is ready to load a new configuration. Release the SELECT button.

Step 4 — Select your configuration. You will see a screen that says Select Config: with three options listed. The options are Front Engine, Rear Engine and Customer. Use the SCROLL UP and SCROLL DOWN buttons to move the cursor to the configuration that you want.

If you are building a front-engine car, select Front Engine. If you are building a mid-engine or rear-engine car, select Rear Engine. Do not select the Customer option unless you have worked with us to create a custom configuration for your project.

Step 5 — Confirm your selection. When the cursor is on the configuration that you want, press and release the SELECT button.

Step 6 — Wait for the configuration to load. You will see a screen that says Loading Config: followed by the name of the configuration that you selected. The MASTERCELL NGX will take about 30 seconds to load the configuration. Do not turn off the power or press any buttons during this process.

Step 7 — Confirm the configuration is loaded. When the process is complete, the screen will display MASTERCELL NGX Ready! and the main screen will appear. Your configuration is now loaded and you are ready to start wiring.

Important Notes

There are a couple of important things to keep in mind when you select your IPM1 Kit configuration.

First, this process loads the default configuration for the option that you select. If you previously made changes to your configuration using inCODE NGX, those changes will be lost. The MASTERCELL NGX will return to the stock configuration. You will need to re-apply any custom changes with inCODE NGX after the configuration is loaded.

Second, this process only needs to be done if you want to change your configuration. If your kit shipped with the front-engine configuration and that is what you need, you do not need to do anything. Your kit is ready to go right out of the box.

Third, the Customer option on the configuration selection screen is only for customers who have worked with our team to create a custom configuration. If you do not have a custom configuration, do not select this option.

Click this link to contact our team with any questions about how to select your IPM1 Kit configuration.