RICK Electrical Contractors, Inc. is pleased to announce the February 2011 launching of a subsidiary of our corporation for the manufacturing, sales and installation of Electrical Control Panels.This new subsidiary will be known as RICK Electrical Controls and will be operating under the RICK Electrical Contractors, Inc. business family.

Our new product line of Electrical Control Panels will cover a wide spectrum of applications that are much needed, but are yet currently product voids within the Residential, Commercial, Industrial, Healthcare, Lighting and Renewable Energy markets.RICK Electrical Controls will be providing USA domestic as well as International web sales on a future linked website. Our control panels can be custom designed & engineered to international electrical specifications (various voltage and ampacity levels) which can be deployed anywhere in the world. If you have a specific need for a customized electrical control panel, give us a call or send us an e-mail with your electrical specifications or application. We can design, engineer and manufacture electrical control panels that will exceed your expectations. We also offer Computer Aided Drawings (CAD) & electrical/electronic calculations for control panel schematic diagrams down to the component level. All of our control panels come with easy installation instructions, industry standard recommendations and common installation diagrams.

RICK Electrical Contractors, Inc. can also provide installation services for our control panels within the greater Chicagoland area. All of our Electrical Control Panels are quality tested for a 30 day period prior to customer shipment. RICK Electrical Controls panel products will be proudly manufactured and assembled in Sugar Grove, IL, USA.

Please check back at a later date as we are currently in process of updating our website with information for control panel product specifications, custom designs,drawings, typical applications, pricing, pictures and shipping information. Stay tuned for future announcements on our new innovative industry panels! In the interim, please feel free to contact us at: 630-466-RICK for additional information.Thank You!

Model: Battery Transfer Switch

Stay tuned for further news on our latest control panel, the Battery Transfer Switch. We designed this control panel to provide an instantaneous transfer of a primary 12 VDC battery to a secondary 12 VDC battery. The Battery Transfer Switch is the perfect solution for a battery backup sump pump where redundant batteries and additional "peace-of-mind" are required. Based upon our research and marketplace product availability, we beleive we have designed and manufactured the very first 12 VDC Battery Transfer Switch which can be used for Emergency Lighting and Battery Backup Sump Pump applications. Our "Battery Transfer Switch" is the perfect solution for those homeowners who reside in a townhouse where the homeowners association will not allow a standby generator or a single family homeowner who cannot afford a standby generator.

Electrical Specifications:

• Automatic transfer of low voltage on a 12 VDC Primary Battery to a fully charged 12 VDC Secondary Battery
• Rated @ 10 Amps load (works on battery backup sump pump motors rated up to 10 Amps)
• Protected with a 10 Amp replaceable fuse on the load side
• 10 Amp rated - color coded battery and sump pump binding posts
• Trigger Voltage circuitry on a PC board with adjustable transfer voltage level
• Jumbo Flashing Red LED upon transfer from the primary battery to the secondary battery to provide a visual transfer indication
• Loud 100 db buzzer with On/Off switch that provides an audible alert when the primary battery voltage level has been triggered and transfered to the secondary battery.
• 12 VDC operating voltage
• Dual 0 - 15 VDC meters for battery voltage monitoring
• Dual SPST Switches for volt meters
• Optional Outdialing notification to your cell phone or a landline to alert you that the primary battery voltage has been compromised and the secondary battery is the new battery source. A landline telephone with a nearby RJ11 jack and a nearby 120 VAC duplex receptacle are required for this option.
• All switches, meters, LED's, Battery and Backup Sump Pump Load Connections are labeled for easy identification
• Connections easily interface to either 12 VDC Solar Panels and/or 12 VDC Battery Trickle Chargers
• Housed in a sturdy 6" x 6" x 4" deep PVC box with (4) mounting holes
• This control panel is not weatherproof and is only rated for indoor conditions
• Easy installation with plug-in connections

FAQ's:

• Why not just install a secondary 12 VDC battery and connect it in parallel with the primary battery, thus no need for a transfer switch? Don't batteries connected in parallel double the available current and provide for a longer run-time? Based upon our electrical and electronics industry knowledge, best practices, as well as battery research, connecting (2) two 12 VDC batteries in parallel will double the output current. However, there are a few unknown variables that most consumers may not be aware of when connecting batteries in parallel. If a parallel connection is made, both batteries must be rated the same (i.e 12 VDC and identical amp hours) and both fully charged. If one battery has a different amp hour rating, it will reduce the battery voltage level faster. Also, both batteries need to be identical in terms of battery types, i.e. Flooded Cell, Marine type, Automotive Type, etc. If you mix different types of batteries in a parallel connection, one battery will actually discharge at a faster rate since they are not identical. We only recommend using Marine type rechargeable batteries for a Battery Backup Sump Pump or Emergency Lighting application. Never use an Automotive battery since they only provide high amounts of current known as Cold Cranking Amps that are required to start an automobile engine. Marine type batteries are rated in Amp-Hours and Automotive batteries are rated in CCA's (Cold Cranking Amps). The higher the amp-hour rating of the battery, the longer it will last before re-charging is required. Last but not least, if batteries are connected in parallel, it is highly recommended that they also be the same manufacturer and model number. Once again, mixing different types of batteries along with different charging levels in a true parallel connection can cause a faster discharge rate and more harm than good will result from it. Depending upon the quality of the battery, a fully charged 12 VDC battery has an output voltage of approximately 13.65 volts and not 12 VDC. The 12 VDC is only a nominal voltage. Once a 12 VDC battery voltage level depletes to around the 11.5 VDC level, the battery is nearing its discharge state and will discharge at a faster rate if the connected load is still running. We designed our Trigger Voltage level circuitry to compensate for this and to transfer power at the 11.5 VDC level. By transfering the primary battery at the 11.5 VDC level, the primary battery will not become fully discharged and will re-charge faster. Our "Battery Transfer Switch" takes into account and compensates for these types of battery problems

Model: Insta-Light-D

Above pic is our flagship electrical control panel... the Insta-Light-D. We also manufacture similar models of this product in smaller or larger lighting load and redundancy applications. This electrical control panel was designed by RICK Electrical Controls for Emergency Lighting applications.The Insta-Light-D is housed in a sturdy 8" x 8" x 4" deep PVC box. The Insta-Light-D is equiped with a volt meter to indicate the available battery voltage and a 10 amp current meter to monitor the lighting load amperage. The Insta-Light-D comes with a 10 amp fuse to protect potential overloads. The Insta-Light-D not only provides instantaneous emergency lighting but also provides you with a Power Failure Alert during an electrical power outage. The Insta-Light-D can be wired into any electrical lighting fixture.. With our Insta-Light-D model and other available electrical equipment from RICK Electrical Controls, we can keep your lights "On" for days at a time and not just minutes or a few hours unlike other power failure lights found on the consumer market. The Insta-Light-D provides instantaneous "peace-of-mind" during prolonged power outages. Need to charge your cell phone, laptop computer or your IPOD during a power outage? The Insta-Light-D can do that too! The Insta-Light-D is the first and only emergency lighting product available that can be wired into any lighting fixture!

With the constant price increases on your monthly electrical bills along with frequent power outages due to an antiquated electrical grid in the United States, now is the time to start converting some of your lighting needs over to "Free" electrical power that is readily available by using Solar Panels or Wind Generators. The Insta-Light-D was designed for these purposes. We converted the lighting in our home basement 2 years ago, and this area of our home is no longer dependant upon our local electrical utility. It doesn't get any better than getting "Free" lighting as well as no longer being dependant upon our local electrical utility during prolonged power outages! 

Got Power Outage Lighting Problems? We got Power Outage Lighting Solutions!

Model: VMA-12 (Voltage Monitor Alert)

Above pic is our Voltage Monitor Alert. The PC Board and electronic components of the VMA-12 are housed in a sturdy 4" x 4" x 2" deep PVC box. We designed this model to monitor the 12 VDC battery voltage level condition for our battery backup sump pump, boat, car, tractor and camper. A fully charged 12 Volt battery is approximately 13.65 VDC and not 12 VDC. The 12 VDC rating of a battery is a nominal voltage. Around the 11.5 VDC level, the battery is nearing its discharge state. Depending upon the type of battery being used, once the discharge level of 11 VDC is near, the battery may no longer respond to re-charging. We calibrated the electronics in the VMA-12 to light the red LED and alarm an 85db buzzer at the 11.5 VDC level that will warn the user the connected battery is in a discharging state once the switch is alarmed. This will allow the user to check the state of the battery condition, re-charge or replace the battery if needed. The VMA-12 can be simply inserted into a car cigar lighter or power socket or can be directly hard-wired to a battery such as a boat, camper or battery backup sump pump via the Red/Black Binding Posts. The VMA-12 is an ideal choice for providing "peace-of-mind" for those 12 VDC battery applications that sit idle for some time without being re-charged or seldom used. The VMA-12 is designed for 12 VDC battery applications only.The VMA-12 LED, Alarm Switch and Binding Posts are clearly labled for easy identification.The VMA-12 is directly powered off of the battery being monitored. No internal batteries are required. Installation is quick and easy.

Model: GV2-12

Above pic is our GV2-12 Redundant Battery Monitor Panel enclosed in an 8" x 8" x 4" deep Non-metallic PVC box. The GV2-12 Model comes with a battery gauge monitor, (2) two 0 - 15 Volt DC meters and (2) two(On/Off) Switches for activating the respective DC volt meters.The battery gaugeprovides a quick illuminated percentage indication of the batterycharge levels while the volt metersprovide an instantaneous and accurate measurement (0 - 15 VDC range) of the battery voltage. The GV2-12 has left and right side color-coded (red & black) binding posts that will accept either 14 or 12 AWG copper conductors or bananna plug leads for connectivity to thebatteries. The GV2-12 was designed for 12 volt battery monitoring such as Redundant Batteries (two) in a Battery Backup Sump Pump application or 12V battery monitoring used in a Solar Panel application. The GV2-12 can be installed as a permanent installation in the field or can be used as a portable testing monitor. The GV2-12 can be installed on any surface via the (4) four removable mounting tabs. The GV2-12 comes with easy identification labeling on all switches, meters and binding posts (see above pic). All internal components and the wiring harness of the GV2-12 are labeled and identified. The Model GV2-12 is not rated for weatherproof conditions and should only be used indoors. The GV2-12 is designed to view and measure 12V battery voltage levels under a "no-load" condition in an application where redundant batteries are deployed but not electrically connected in a trueparallel configuration. The GV2-12 is an ideal choice for the homeowner and/or technician requiring a permanent redundant battery monitoring solution.

Model: PVI-D (Photovoltaic Isolator Deluxe)

Above pic is our Model: PVI-D enclosed in a 6" x 6" x 4" deep PVC box that was developed for the Solar Panel Industry. The PVI-D will provide DC voltage readings at the line side (Solar Panel) and at the load side (12 VDC batteries). The PVI-D comes with color-coded Red & Black Binding Posts for connectivity to the PV Panel Output, the Charge Controller Input & Output and to the 12 VDC battery. The PVI-D provides a quick and instantaneous view of the Solar Panel system and isolates DC voltage level readings from both the Line and Load sides. A Blue LED is provided to indicate the 12 VDC Battery switch has been activated. The PVI-D can be mounted to any surface via the (4) four attached mounting holes. All switches, meters and binding posts are properly labeled for easy indentification. The PVI-D is not weatherproof and should only be installed indoors. The PVI-D can be installed on multi-panel or single panel installations. The PVI-D is rated for 12 VDC Battery connectivity up to a maximum of 15 Amps. The PVI-D makes a great choice for either a permanent installation or as a portable isolation testing panel for the technician/installer in the field.

Model: PVI-DA (Photovoltaic Isolator Deluxe Amp)

Above pic is our Model: PVI-DA enclosed in a 8" x 8" x 4" deep PVC box that was developed for the Solar Panel Industry. The PVI-DA will provide DC voltage readings at the line side (0 to 30 VDC Solar Panel) and at the load side (0 TO 15 VDC for the battery). The PVI-DA comes with color-coded Red & Black Binding Posts for connectivity to the PV Panel Output, the Charge Controller Input & Output and to the 12 VDC battery. The PVI-DA also includes an Amp Meter that measures the output current of the solar panel up to 3 amps. The PVI-D provides a quick and instantaneous view of the Solar Panel system and isolates DC voltage level readings from both the Line and Load sides. A Red LED is provided to indicate the 12 VDC Battery switch has been activated.Aswitch is also included to activate the battery volt meter while isolating it from the Charge Controller. The PVI-DA can be mounted to any surface via the (4) four attached mounting holes. All switches, meters and binding posts are properly labeled for easy indentification. The PVI-DA is not weatherproof and should only be installed indoors. The PVI-D can be installed on multi-panel or single panel installations. The PVI-DA israted for 12 VDC Battery connectivity up to a maximum of 15 Amps on the load side and up to 3 Amps on the line side (PV Panel). The PVI-DA makes a great choice for either a permanent installation or as a portable isolation testing panel for the technician/installer in the field. This is a great isolation panel that allows the end user or field technician to monitor or view the activities in your PV system without disconnecting wires, battery leads, inserting amp or volt meters, etc. It is ideal for any trouble-shooting purposes on an installed PV system.

CB4 Solar Panel Combiner Box Model

Above pic is our CB4 Solar Panel Combiner Box Model enclosed in a NEMA 3R Weatherproof PVC 4 1/2" x 4 1/2" x 2" deepBox that can handle upto 4 (four) PV Solar Panels. The CB4 Combiner Box has (2) two 3/4" diameter openings for Rigid Non-Metallic conduit (RNC) connectivity along with color-coded termination bar identifications for the positive (red) and negative (black) solar panel leads to "land" and combine wire terminations.The CB4 comes with a 4 1/2" x 4 1/2"weatherproof gasket cover.The CB4 conduit openings can easily be transitioned to either 3/4" EMT or 3/4" Rigid conduit. The CB4 is rated for wet and/or damp locations.The CB4 can be mounted to any surface via the four attached mounting holes. The pre-assembled termination barsare color-coded forthe electrician/installer and will accept 14 to 10 AWG Copper conductors, thus eliminating the need to splice the wires with wire-nuts. Also included is an equipment grounding conductor terminal bar (identified by the green screw shown in the middle)to ground the PV metal frames to a grounding electrode conductor. The Model CB4 makes for a fast, neatand easy installation of Solar Panel wiringand also provides access for voltage & current measurement testing points.

Model: SP2-12RBD (Sump Pump 2 -12 Redundant Battery Deluxe)

Above pic is our SP2-12RBD model enclosed in a 6" x 6" x 4" deep PVC box was developed fora redundant 12 VDC battery solution in a battery backup sump pump application. The model SP2-12RBDprovides a quick and easy transition to a redundant 12 VDC Standby Battery with the "flick" of a switch for an extended run time on a 12 VDC battery backup sump pump application. With the model SP2-12RBD, there is no need to swap out the discharged battery or searching for tools in the event the main battery has become discharged ...... all it takes is the flip of a switch on our model SP2-12RBD. Included are (2) two 15 VDC analog volt meters for an instantaneous reading of the battery voltage levels along with (2) two LED's which will allow a visual indication of the battery that you are monitoring or for preventative maintenance purposes. The SP2-12RBD has (3) three sets of Red and Black binding posts which will allow connectivity to either a 14 to 10 AWG battery wiring harness. The SP2-12RBD can be mounted to any surface via the (4) four attached mounting holes. The SP2-12RBD model will work on all battery backup sump pumps. This control panel is not weatherproof and should only be installed indoors. The SP2-12RBD is rated for a battery backup sump pump motor up to 15 amps. All switches, volt meters, LED's and binding posts are labeled for easy viewing purposes. Installation time for this control panel is simple and just takes afew minutes. With all of the recent power outages and massive rain storms, this is one product that a homeowner with a battery backup sump pump shouldn't be without! Do not count on just (1) one battery for your battery backup sump pump.....since your main battery can easily become discharged due to a prolonged power outage! We developed this panel to provide an additional "peace-of-mind" that your battery backup sump pump can run for an extended time period during those uncertain and untimely prolonged power outages.10 AWG copper wiring harnesses for the batteries are also included with this panel.

Model: SP2-12RB (Sump Pump 2 -12 Redundant Battery)

Above pic is our SP2-12RB model enclosed in a 4" x 4" x 2" deep PVC box was developed fora redundant 12 VDC battery solution in a battery backup sump pump application. The SP2-12RB performs the identical functions as its "big brother" Model SP2-12RBD (see above pic & description) with the exception of the volt meters, volt meter switches and LED's. The model SP2-12RB switch and color coded binding posts are clearly labeled for easy indentification. The SP2-12RB model will work on all battery backup sump pumps. This control panel is not weatherproof and should only be installed indoors. The SP2-12RB is rated for a battery backup sump pump motor up to 15 amps. The SP2-12RB can be mounted to any surface via the (4) four attached mounting holes. With all of the recent power outages and massive rain storms, this is one product that a homeowner with a battery backup sump pump shouldn't be without! Do not count on just (1) one battery for your battery backup sump pump.....since your main battery can easily become discharged due to a prolonged power outage! We developed the Model SP2-12RB as a cost effective panel to provide an additional "peace-of-mind" that your battery backup sump pump can run for an extended time period during those uncertain and untimely prolonged power outages. 10 AWG copper wiring harnesses for the batteries are also included with this panel.

Got Electrical Control Problems? We Got Electrical Control Solutions!

Residential Applications

• Audible & Visual Alerting Controls for Critical Electrical Systems 
• Battery Backup Sump Pump Controls
• Battery Cables
• Battery Transfer Switch
• Custom Designed Control Panels
• Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Controls
• Emergency Lighting & Charging Controls
• Fuse-Box & Breaker-Panel Monitoring
• Commercial Grid Power Failure Notification Alerts to your cell phone
• Home Theater
• Phase Outage Alert for Single Phase 100, 200 Amp Load Centers and Sub-Panels
• PV Isolation Panels
• Power Failure Alert Panel
• Redundancy Control Systems
• Solar Panel Combiner Box & Controls
• 12, 24 or 48 VDC Voltage Controls
• Wiring Harness's with Molex Connectors - customized to any wire color and/or pinout

Commercial & Industrial Applications

• Audible & Visual Alerting Controls for Critical Electrical Systems
• Automobile Industry
• Battery Cables
• Battery Transfer Switch
• Commercial Grid Power Failure Notification Alerts to your cell phone
• Custom Designed Control Panels
• Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Controls
• Emergency Lighting & Charging Controls
• Phase Outage Alert for Single Phase 100, 200 Amp Load Centers and Sub-Panels
• Power Failure Alerting
• PV Isolation Panels
• Redundancy Control Systems
• Schematic Diagrams down to the component level
• Solar Panel Combiner Box & Controls
• Telecom, Data Center & IT Equipment Room Controls
• Wiring Harness's with Molex Connectors - customized to any wire color and/or pinout