6.5 LED Controller¶
RGB LED controller for speaker lighting and footwell pods, with WiFi app and rotary encoder control.
Type: Marine LED Lighting Controller
Model: MLC-RW
Manufacturer: JL Audio
Product Page: MLC-RW
Manual: Installation Manual
Mounting: Near amplifier (behind dash or cargo area)
Power Source: SwitchPros OUTPUT-5 (15A)
Specifications¶
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Power Output | 30A (400W) continuous |
| Capacity | Up to 60 JL Audio speakers |
| Actual Load | 5-10A (5 speakers + footwell) |
| Control | WiFi app + rotary encoder |
| Technology | PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) |
Protection Features¶
- Over-current protection
- Short-circuit protection
- Voltage monitoring
- Temperature monitoring
Control Options¶
Rotary Encoder (dash-mounted):
- Press & hold 2 sec: Power ON
- Press & hold 5 sec: Power OFF
- Rotate: Color/brightness/speed
WiFi App: LiteWave ITI (iOS/Android)
LED Loads¶
| Device | LED Draw | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Front Speakers (2x) | ~1A | M6-650X-S-GmTi-i |
| Rear Speakers (2x) | ~1A | M6-650VEX-Mb-S-GmTi-i |
| Subwoofer (1x) | ~1A | M7-12IB-S-GmTi-i-4 |
| Footwell Pods (4x) | ~1A | LED4Life RGBW |
| Total | ~5A | Well under 30A capacity |
Wiring¶
| Connection | Wire | Source | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power (+) | 14 AWG | SwitchPros OUT-5 | 15A capacity |
| Ground (−) | 14 AWG | Dash ground | Same ground as head unit |
| RGB Out | 20 AWG | To speakers | Via XM-WHTMFC |
| Encoder | Extension | To dash | Rotary control |
Integrated Speaker/LED Cable¶
JL Audio XM-WHTMFC Multifunction Cable:
| Wire | Gauge | Function |
|---|---|---|
| Speaker | 2x 16 AWG OFC | Audio signal |
| LED | 4x 20 AWG OFC | RGB + common |
- Single cable per speaker (audio + LED)
- Marine-grade white PVC jacket
- Stannum-plated for corrosion resistance
- Available: 25 ft or 250 ft spools
Footwell Integration¶
Footwell pods wire in parallel with speaker LEDs:
| LED4Life Wire | MLC-RW Wire | Function |
|---|---|---|
| +12V | White | Common anode |
| R | Red | Red LED (−) |
| G | Green | Green LED (−) |
| B | Blue | Blue LED (−) |
| W | Not connected | White (unused) |
W channel capped - MLC-RW is RGB only.
See Footwell Lights for pod details.
Outstanding Items¶
- Confirm LED4Life pod wire colors match MLC-RW pinout