What exactly is an sPOD?

9997 Views 16 Replies 9 Participants Last post by 375217, May 9, 2014

375217

Discussion Starter · May 8, 2014

Sorry if I am asking a dump question here, but what exactly is an sPOD and why does one need it? I have read a lot of people talk about it, but not really clear on what purpose does it serve and what problems it solved for the 500 odd dollars that it costs...sorry if there is already another thread that answers this, but I have struggled to find one....the manufacturers website is not very helpful either...

thanks in advance for your responses.

1 - 17 of 17 Posts

DiscDog

· #2 · May 8, 2014

Generally speaking when you run aftermarket lights, compressors, etc they are all high power draw items and you want to be able to turn them on/off.

Most 12v switches are not designed to handle the amperage thats used by these accessories so you cant just put a switch inline with the power wire to the accessory.

This is where relays come in. Relays can handle the aperage and the relay is controlled by a remote low amperage switch. So the sPOD is a nice relay/switch bundle.

375217

Discussion Starter · #3 · May 8, 2014

DiscDog said:
Generally speaking when you run aftermarket lights, compressors, etc they are all high power draw items and you want to be able to turn them on/off.

Most 12v switches are not designed to handle the amperage thats used by these accessories so you cant just put a switch inline with the power wire to the accessory.

This is where relays come in. Relays can handle the aperage and the relay is controlled by a remote low amperage switch. So the sPOD is a nice relay/switch bundle.

Okay, thanks for clarifying. So it's basically a relay / switch module so you can wire up high power accessories. Do winches draw a lot of power and need to be wired in through a relay circuit like an sPOD? Or do they typically come in with their own?

- Amalesh

Nuke83

· #4 · May 8, 2014

To add to the explanation above, the sPod basically "pre-wires" in switches and wiring for existing or future electrical added components.

It's a pre-packaged box of relays, wire harnesses and switches, so that once you install an sPod, all you need to do to power devices will be to run from the sPod (installed under the hood) to the device itself. The switch installed in the cabin will then already be wired to control the device.

It prevents you from having to run a homerun pull between battery (or powered wire) to switch, to device for each device you want to power.

You can pre-wire your own to a switch pod and effectively accomplish the same thing for much less, however the sPod is a nice, clean install that includes all relays, switches, wiring and fuses if you're not comfortable doing this yourself.

Nuke83

· #5 · May 8, 2014

Amalesh said:
Okay, thanks for clarifying. So it's basically a relay / switch module so you can wire up high power accessories. Do winches draw a lot of power and need to be wired in through a relay circuit like an sPOD? Or do they typically come in with their own?

- Amalesh

My understanding is that sPod isn't rated high enough to power winch.

redskinswin

· #6 · May 8, 2014

A Winch cannot be wired through an SPOD. The circuits are only rated for 30amps each. A Winch is pulling much more than that.

Jeeps, Switches, winch, power, relay, relays

375217

Discussion Starter · #7 · May 8, 2014

Nuke83 said:
My understanding is that sPod isn't rated high enough to power winch.

redskinswin said:
A Winch cannot be wired through an SPOD. The circuits are only rated for 30amps each. A Winch is pulling much more than that.

Jeeps, Switches, winch, power, relay, relays

So how does one power the winch? Does it come with it's own switch / relay?

zenman

· #8 · May 8, 2014

Winch is hooked to battery and normally used when engine is running.

the Kolector

· #9 · May 8, 2014

redskinswin said:
A Winch cannot be wired through an SPOD. The circuits are only rated for 30amps each. A Winch is pulling much more than that.

Jeeps, Switches, winch, power, relay, relays

Not 100% accurate. It can be wired through the sPod, but you have to have something like the Warn Power Inturrupt kit, this allows you to still have the winch switched for on/off.

MTNJeep

· #10 · May 8, 2014

redskinswin said:
A Winch cannot be wired through an SPOD. The circuits are only rated for 30amps each. A Winch is pulling much more than that.

Jeeps, Switches, winch, power, relay, relays

You can also power up to 80 amps through a sPOD with this.
Hi-Amp Circuit Breaker

mhicanders

· #11 · May 8, 2014

the Kolector said:
Not 100% accurate. It can be wired through the sPod, but you have to have something like the Warn Power Inturrupt kit, this allows you to still have the winch switched for on/off.

I believe what your talking about just shuts off power to the winch, not operating the winch?

redskinswin

· #12 · May 8, 2014

the Kolector said:
Not 100% accurate. It can be wired through the sPod, but you have to have something like the Warn Power Inturrupt kit, this allows you to still have the winch switched for on/off.

From SPOD's website.

How would I connect a winch to the sPOD?
The circuits are rated for a maximum of 30 amps each. A winch draws well over that amount and should never be connected to the system!

the Kolector

· #13 · May 8, 2014 (Edited)

You wouldn't wire the winch directly to the sPod, you would wire the winch to the Power Inturrupt kit and the power inturrupt to the spod. This is based off a thread I found here where the OP talked with the sPodguy and was recommending the Warn kit. Found the post about it:

From another member:
Well I emailed the sPOD guys with some questions and here is the response I received:

Thanks for the interest in the sPOD system for your 2008 Jeep JK!

For the winch:
you will need one of these:
http://www.warn.com/truck/accessorie...nterrupt.shtml

You can NOT power the winch directly from the sPOD which it looks like you already know this.
OK, in order to do it right, (cutting power to the winch) you should invest in one of these:
https://www.quadratec.com/products/92126_0005.htm
http://www.amazon.com/WARN-62132-Pow.../dp/B000CQFVN8
http://warn.com/truck/accessories/power_interrupt.shtml
Toss their switch and run the wires directly to our Source and choose any one of the 6 circuits. Now you will be able to keep the power off going out to the winch until you flip a switch on. This is the proper way to do it. It keeps the power away from the winch all together. I know it's a chunk of change to lay down, but the alternative is a smoldering Jeep!!!
If you do your research, you may be able to build one yourself. you may not even save any money, but it would be your fun project if you had the time.
I have been using (and many other customers) the new:
Warn wireless winch Control PN 74500
http://warn.com/atv/winches/wireless_remote.shtml
This thing is SICK! And very easy to install with no wiring to be done!
See the link above to check it out for yourself.

:End quote.

Great customer service. Looks like I'm going to save my pennies for their product.

See less See more

mhicanders

· #14 · May 8, 2014

the Kolector said:
You wouldn't wire the winch directly to the sPod, you would wire the winch to the Power Inturrupt kit and the power inturrupt to the spod. This is based off a thread I found here where the OP talked with the sPodguy and was recommending the Warn kit.

The power interrupt kit just shuts off all power to the winch. Doesn't control the winch beyond that.

Warn Industries - Electrical Accessories for Jeep, Truck & SUV Winches: Power Interrupt Kit

It's just a very large high current relay and some wire.

The original question was "how do you power a winch through the sPod" and the answer is you do not. You can use the sPod to turn off/on power to the winch but that's not really powering the winch through the sPod.

the Kolector

· #15 · May 8, 2014

mhicanders said:
The power interrupt kit just shuts off all power to the winch. Doesn't control the winch beyond that.

Warn Industries - Electrical Accessories for Jeep, Truck & SUV Winches: Power Interrupt Kit

It's just a very large high current relay and some wire.

Correct, but it allows you to have the winch on a switched on/off via sPod so there isn't a constant power going to it.

14Sport

· #16 · May 8, 2014 (Edited)

If it's only about adding a winch then you don't need an sPod. If you have ever wired in an accessory, then you know you have to:

For the power circuit:
1. Add a relay under the hood somewhere.
2. Run a power wire from the battery positive to the relay.
3. Run a power wire from the relay to the accessory.
4. Run a ground wire from the accessory to the battery negative...or another ground.

For the control circuit:
5. Then either:
a) Run a 12v (either switched or unswitched) source to the switch
inside the tub.
b) Run the other side of the switch to the relay.
c) Run a ground from the relay to the battery (or another ground point)
or:
a) Run a 12v source to the relay (either switched or unswitched)
b) Run a power wire from the relay to the switch.
c) Run a ground wire from the switch to the battery or another ground.

No big deal. Especially for one accessory. But as you add more accessories and repeat the process, well quite frankly you start to run out of places for the relays under the hood and the switches in the tub. Then before you know it, on your 3rd or 4th accessory, the underhood wiring starts to look like spaghetti and the switches in the tub are everywhere.

The sPod is designed to simplify this. It runs all the switch wires, both positive and negative, for the 6 accessories in one harness from the underhood unit to the tub. All the power and the ground wires for the 6 accessories are in one harness you run from the underhood unit to the battery. The only thing left to do after installing a new accessory is to run the power and ground from the accessory to the sPod. The switch and relay are already done.

I hope this gives you a better understanding of the sPod. It is pricey but looks very clean after install. It also makes adding each additional accessory a breeze. I have one and I like it.

Edit: Sorry, I forgot to mention that each power circuit needs a fuse wired in, which the sPod does.

See less See more

375217

Discussion Starter · #17 · May 9, 2014

Got it, thanks for all the information fellow Jeepers ! Love this forum for the spirit of sharing the knowledge and helping each other out !!! Thanks again.

1 - 17 of 17 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.