Kings Premium Control Box review – plug-and-play 12v power

For as long as I’ve been mucking around with 4WDs, part of the fun has been all the little projects I can DIY myself. From wiring switches and outlets to building little panels, I always loved making campsites better. These days, though, options like the Kings Premium Control Box mean you don’t need to start from scratch.

Stuff up a roof rack install, and the worst you’ll cop is an annoying rattle on corrugations before you figure out you need to fix things. But stuff up a 12V install, especially with lithium batteries in the mix, and the first sign things are going pear-shaped could be the smell of a little electrical fire in your tray, no doubt five hours’ drive from Kickatinalong.

That’s where pre-built 12V panels come into their own.

The Kings Premium Control Box kit comes with a 2-year nationwide warranty and everything you need, bar a couple of metres of cable to get power to and from the panel.

The plug-and-play revolution: Kings Premium Control Box

Instead of spending weekends sourcing components and wiring them together, you can now buy a complete panel. It’s already done for you. The workmanship is neat, the wiring is tidy, it has an aluminium casing and all the fuses and pre-wired backlit switches are right there in one box. I’ll be honest, when I was eyeing off building a simple electrical setup for my Ranger those panels sure did catch my attention.

The Kings Premium Control Box 25A ran over my desk and it got me thinking. It’s not the only one out there, but it shows just how far these things have come. The control box features a digital battery monitor with shunt, a pre-wired fuse block to protect 12V accessories, solar inputs, multiple outlets, Anderson plugs, 15A cigarette socket, USB-C charging and 25A DC-DC charging. It all comes wrapped up in a panel that takes less than an hour to install. Ten years ago, building a panel like this took an entire weekend. Today, you can buy one for a couple hundred bucks.

It’s hardly an extensive setup, but wire it up to a battery and it’ll run a fridge and some camp lights no worries.

What’s in the box

• Pre-wired 25A DC-DC charger
• Direct solar & alternator inputs
• 3 × 15A pre-wired switches
• 2 × 15A cigarette sockets
• 2 × USB-C & USB-A outlets
• Digital battery monitor with shunt
• 6m ignition cable with triple quick connect
• Nation-wide 2-year warranty

Why DIY isn’t always the smarter option

Don’t get me wrong, if you’ve got the skills and the desire to build your own, go for it. You’ll end up with something tailored exactly to your needs. But here’s the thing, most people don’t. And when the stakes are this high, “near enough” isn’t good enough.

Buying the right crimpers, connectors, wire gauges, fuses and meters adds up. Then there’s the time you’ll spend planning, cutting, stripping, crimping and testing. You might save a couple of hundred bucks, but at what risk?

With panels like these, you’re paying for peace of mind. Manufacturers test and fuse them correctly, then back them with a warranty. That’s a whole lot more reassuring than hoping you sized your cable properly before hitting the Gibb.

Wiring on the inside is as neat as any DIYer is going to do. Sure, a pro might get it neater, but not this easy.

Why ready-made panels work

The real benefit here isn’t just the money saved or the time spared, it’s accessibility. Panels like the Kings Premium Control Box make it possible for more people to run a safe, reliable 12V setup without needing to be an auto sparky.

For the average 4WDer who just wants to run a fridge, charge a few devices and plug in some camp lights, these panels mean you don’t need to gamble on your own wiring skills. You get the convenience of plug-and-play with the confidence that it’s been built to a safe standard.

The heavy cabling and solid connections inside inspire confidence. It’s the sort of setup you’d spend hours replicating if you built it yourself.

Final thoughts

I’ll always have a soft spot for DIY, I’ve got a fair chunk of engine grease embedded in my finger nails as I write this. There’s something satisfying about wiring a system yourself. But these days, the argument for building your own panel is getting thinner.

Pre-built 12V panels have matured to the point where they’re not just a convenient option, they’re often the smarter one. They’re tidy and reliable. They also take the danger out of one of the easiest places to make an expensive mistake.

Sure, you can spend more on advanced systems or spend weekends piecing together a DIY setup, but the Kings Premium Control Box gives you the bulk of the functionality without the hassle or cost. Unless you’re chasing a completely custom setup, it’s worth asking yourself: do you really want to spend a weekend with the wire strippers, or do you want to bolt in a box and get back on the tracks? I know which way I’ll be going.

FAQs

Can the Kings Premium Control Box run a fridge?
Yes. It’s designed to power common 12V camping gear like a fridge, camp lights and charging devices.

How long does installation take?
Most users can install the box in under an hour with basic tools and cable runs.

Does it need professional installation?
No. The Kings Premium Control Box is pre-wired and plug-and-play. However, if you’re not confident with 12V systems, a qualified auto electrician can do it for you.

Is it safe for lithium batteries?
Yes. The built-in 25A DC-DC charger is lithium-compatible, making it suitable for modern touring setups.

What’s the warranty?
It comes with a 2-year nationwide warranty backed by Kings.