Reconfigurable vehicle control system

A modular electrical system for a plurality of accessories disposable on a support structure associated with a road vehicle, said modular electrical system comprising:

• a central controller supported by the support structure, the central controller configured to control operation of the plurality of accessories based on one or more inputs, the plurality of accessories being independently positionable with respect to each other;
• a physical network layer operably coupled to the central controller, the physical network layer enabling transmission of control information relating to operation of one or more of the plurality of accessories;
• an auxiliary node supported by the support structure, the auxiliary node operably coupled to the physical network layer and in communication with the central controller, the auxiliary node being configured to control operation of the plurality of accessories based on the control information received from the central controller via the physical network layer;
• and
• a plurality of wiring harnesses electrically connected to the auxiliary node, each of the plurality of wiring harnesses including a plurality of wiring runs, each of the plurality of wiring runs being electrically connectable via an electrical connector to at least one of the plurality of accessories to provide a direct connection between the auxiliary node and the at least one accessory, wherein the each of the plurality of wiring runs includes a base section and a tail section configured to enable re-positioning of the at least one accessory based on changes in the configuration of the support structure associated with the road vehicle, the tail section including the electrical connector for electrically connecting to the at least one accessory of the plurality of accessories, wherein the electrical connectors of the plurality of wiring runs are independently positionable relative to each other such that the electrical connector associated with each of the at least one accessory of the plurality of accessories is independently positionable relative to another electrical connector and an associated at least one accessory of the plurality of accessories,
• wherein the central controller, the auxiliary node, and the plurality of wiring harnesses are supported by the support structure,
• wherein the support structure is operable to support one or more objects in addition to the central controller, the auxiliary node, and the plurality of wiring harnesses, wherein the one or more objects are removably supported by the support structure, and
• wherein the plurality of wiring harnesses are substantially identical to each other except for differences in auxiliary node connectors forming an electrical connection with the auxiliary node, wherein each of the auxiliary node connectors includes an identifier that indicates a zone associated with the respective wiring harness.

A method of refitting a support structure to provide task lighting for the support structure, said method comprising:

• providing a plurality of wiring harnesses electrically connected to an auxiliary node, each of the plurality of wiring harnesses including a plurality of wiring runs electrically connectable to a task light, each of the plurality of wiring runs including a) a base section that connects to the auxiliary node and extends along a sidewall of the support structure and b) a tail section that connects to the task light;
• determining a position of an object support relative to sidewalls of the support structure;
• raising or lowering the object support of the support structure relative to sidewalls of the support structure, wherein the support structure is operable to support the task light within the support structure;
• and
• repositioning the tail section and the task light associated with the tail section while substantially maintaining a position of the base section associated with the task light along the sidewall of the support structure, said repositioning including adjusting a location of the task light up or down along the sidewall based on a change in position of the object support of the support structure, said repositioning including utilizing more or less slack of the tail section to adjust the location of the task light.