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MASTERCELL NGX inSIGHT display showing the inRESERVE screen with ENABLED and DISABLED options and the cursor on ENABLEDCopyright 2026 Infinitybox, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

How to Enable inRESERVE with the MASTERCELL NGX

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The Problem: Battery Drain on Modern Classics

Classic cars were simple. An old car with mechanical switches and a set of points had practically no draw from the battery when the ignition was off. The car could sit in a garage for months with no issues. As our customers add computer-controlled EFI systems, audio systems, alarms and our Infinitybox system, the steady-state draw from the battery increases significantly. If the car sits for an extended period, that draw can drain the battery to the point where it will not start. Deep discharging is also detrimental to battery life, shortening the overall lifespan of the battery.

Our inRESERVE Active Battery Management System solves this problem by protecting your battery in two ways. First, it always preserves enough stored energy in the battery to crank the engine and get your car started. Second, it protects the battery from being deep-cycled. Deep cycling a battery can cause permanent damage and dramatically shorten its lifespan. inRESERVE monitors the battery voltage when the ignition is off and disconnects the battery before either of these becomes an issue. This post shows you how to enable inRESERVE on the MASTERCELL NGX in your IPM1 Kit.

How inRESERVE Works

The inRESERVE kit includes a latching solenoid that sits between the battery and the rest of the electrical system. The solenoid is a simple mechanical device — the intelligence is in the MASTERCELL NGX. When the ignition is off, the MASTERCELL NGX continuously monitors the battery voltage. If the voltage drops below the threshold for longer than the configured time period, the MASTERCELL NGX commands a POWERCELL output to send a momentary pulse to the solenoid. That pulse latches the solenoid open, disconnecting the battery from the rest of the system and preserving the remaining charge.

The inRESERVE kit also includes a momentary push button. If you know your car will be sitting for a while, you can press the button to manually disconnect the battery before the voltage drops. When you are ready to drive again, press the button to reconnect the battery and you are good to go.

Legacy Kit vs. IPM1 Kit

With our legacy 20-Circuit Kit, inRESERVE had to be pre-programmed on the MASTERCELL at the factory. If a customer ordered inRESERVE with their kit, we configured the MASTERCELL before it shipped. If they decided to add inRESERVE later, we had to reprogram their MASTERCELL to enable the feature. This meant extra lead time and coordination.

The IPM1 Kit eliminates that dependency entirely. The MASTERCELL NGX lets you enable inRESERVE yourself, right from the inSIGHT display. You choose the POWERCELL, the output, the timing and the voltage threshold — all without any factory involvement. You can add inRESERVE to your system whenever you are ready.

Before You Start

To enable inRESERVE, your MASTERCELL NGX must be running software version 1.3 or higher. If you are not sure which version you are running, follow the steps in our How to Check the Software Version on Your MASTERCELL NGX post to find out.

You will also need your IPM1 Kit configuration sheet so you can identify which POWERCELL outputs are available for inRESERVE. The available outputs are the OPEN outputs on your configuration sheet. These are universal and auxiliary outputs that are not assigned to fixed functions like turn signals, ignition or starter.

Step 1: Open the inRESERVE Menu

Press and release the HOME button on the MASTERCELL NGX to bring up the Main Menu. Use the SCROLL UP and SCROLL DOWN buttons to move the cursor to the inRESERVE option. Press and release SELECT.

Step 2: Enable inRESERVE

The next screen gives you the option to enable or disable inRESERVE. By default, inRESERVE is disabled. Use the SCROLL UP and SCROLL DOWN buttons to move the cursor to ENABLED. Press and release SELECT.

Step 3: Select the POWERCELL

Next, you need to select which POWERCELL will control the inRESERVE solenoid. You will see options for Front PC, Rear PC and Powercell 3. Choose the POWERCELL that is closest to where the solenoid and battery are located in your car. If the battery is in the trunk, select Rear PC. If the battery is under the hood, select Front PC. The Powercell 3 option is only used for custom configurations developed with our team.

Use the SCROLL UP and SCROLL DOWN buttons to move the cursor to the POWERCELL you want. Press and release SELECT.

Step 4: Select the Output

The MASTERCELL NGX will show you the available POWERCELL outputs based on which cell you selected in the previous step. These are the OPEN outputs on your configuration sheet. In the standard front-engine configuration, the available outputs on the Front POWERCELL are outputs 7, 8, 9 and 10. On the Rear POWERCELL, the available outputs are 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9.

Use the SCROLL UP and SCROLL DOWN buttons to move the cursor to the output you want to use for inRESERVE. Press and release SELECT.

Step 5: Select the Time

Next, you need to select the time delay. This is the amount of time that the battery voltage must remain below the threshold before inRESERVE activates and disconnects the battery. Your options are 15 minutes and 20 minutes. The default is 15 minutes and we strongly recommend keeping this setting. This gives enough time for brief voltage dips during normal operation without triggering a disconnect.

Use the SCROLL UP and SCROLL DOWN buttons to move the cursor to the time you want. Press and release SELECT.

Step 6: Select the Voltage Threshold

The last setting is the voltage threshold. This is the battery voltage level that triggers the time delay. When the ignition is off and the battery voltage drops below this threshold, the countdown begins. Your options are 12.2V and 12.3V. We strongly recommend 12.2V. This is the standard threshold that we used on our legacy kits and provides the right balance between protecting the battery and avoiding unnecessary disconnects.

Use the SCROLL UP and SCROLL DOWN buttons to move the cursor to the voltage threshold you want. Press and release SELECT. Your inRESERVE settings are automatically saved when you press SELECT on this final screen.

Wiring the inRESERVE Solenoid

Once you have enabled inRESERVE on the MASTERCELL NGX, you need to wire the solenoid. The inRESERVE kit includes everything you need: the latching solenoid, a MEGA fuse and fuseholder, a momentary reset button, an inline fuse holder with a 10-amp fuse, ring terminals, terminal boots and 14 AWG wire. Download the inRESERVE wiring schematic for the complete wiring details. Do not run the starter current through the solenoid.

Make sure that the reset button is mounted in an accessible location. When inRESERVE disconnects the battery, the car will have no power. You need to be able to reach the button to reconnect the system. The button included with the kit can be replaced with any momentary button rated to at least 7A at 12V.

Questions?

If you have any questions about how to enable inRESERVE or anything else about your Infinitybox system, our technical support team is here to help. Give us a call at (847) 232-1991 or fill out our contact form and we will get back to you.

Main status screen on the MASTERCELL NGX inSIGHT display showing CAN bus status and ignition stateCopyright 2026 Infinitybox, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

How to Check the MASTERCELL NGX Software Version

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Continuous Innovation

At Infinitybox, we are continuously innovating and evolving our products to react to our customers’ needs. All of our products can be updated in the field to add new features. We carefully track our software versions so we can best manage our customers’ systems. If you ever need to contact our tech support team, knowing your MASTERCELL NGX software version helps us provide you with the best and fastest support.

This post walks you through how to check the MASTERCELL NGX software version using the inSIGHT diagnostic screen. This is a quick and simple process that only takes a few seconds.

How to Check the MASTERCELL NGX Software Version

When you first power up your MASTERCELL NGX, the inSIGHT screen displays the main status screen. This screen shows the system name, CAN bus communication status and ignition and security states.

Main status screen on the MASTERCELL NGX inSIGHT display showing CAN bus status and ignition state

The main status screen on the MASTERCELL NGX inSIGHT display.

To get to the software version, press and release the HOME button on the MASTERCELL NGX. This brings up the MAIN MENU.

MAIN MENU on the MASTERCELL NGX inSIGHT display with cursor on SYSTEM INFO

The MAIN MENU on the MASTERCELL NGX inSIGHT display.

Use the SCROLL UP and SCROLL DOWN buttons to move the cursor to the SYSTEM INFO option. Press and release the SELECT button. This brings up the SYSTEM INFO screen.

SYSTEM INFO screen on the MASTERCELL NGX inSIGHT display showing software version and configuration variant

The SYSTEM INFO screen showing the MASTERCELL NGX software version.

Understanding the Software Version

The MASTERCELL NGX software version is made up of two parts displayed on the SYSTEM INFO screen: the Software Version and the Customer Version. In the example shown above, the Software Version is 1 and the Customer Version is 4. Combined, this means the MASTERCELL NGX is running Version 1.4.

The Software Version represents the core operating firmware on the MASTERCELL NGX. The Customer Version represents the specific configuration release that defines how inputs and outputs are assigned. When we release updates, either or both of these numbers may change.

Configuration Variants

The last line on the SYSTEM INFO screen shows the configuration variant loaded on your system. In this example, it reads CUSTOMER: FRNT, which means this MASTERCELL NGX has the front-engine configuration loaded. There is also a rear-engine configuration variant available for rear-engine and mid-engine builds.

IPM1 Kit Only

It is important to note that this process applies only to the IPM1 Intelligent Power Management Kit and the MASTERCELL NGX. The inSIGHT diagnostic screen and the SYSTEM INFO menu are specific to the NGX platform. This does not apply to the Legacy MASTERCELL that came with the 3-Cell Kit or the 20-Circuit Kit.

Contact Us

Our team is ready to help with any questions about your MASTERCELL NGX software version or your Infinitybox system. Contact us at (847) 232-1991 or click here to reach our support team.

Infinitybox Video-MASTERCELL MessagingCopyright Infinitybox, LLC 2021. All Rights Reserved.

MASTERCELL Input Troubleshooting and Diagnostics

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Our Infinitybox system has powerful diagnostic and troubleshooting features built into it.  The MASTERCELL in your 20-Circuit Kit includes our inSIGHT LCD Screen.  This screen is your window into the Infinitybox system and it gives you access to the MASTERCELL Input Troubleshooting and Diagnostics.  By pressing a few buttons on the MASTERCELL, you can put it into its Messaging Mode.  This blog post and the attached video will show you how the Messaging Mode can help you wire your car faster and identify problems easily.

All of your switches connect to the MASTERCELL.  These include your ignition and starter switches, your turn signal switches, your brake pedal switch, the switches for your lighting, your fuel pump and cooling fan triggers and any other switches that you have for your accessories.  The MASTERCELL continuously watches the state of your switches.  If it sees one of these inputs turn on or off, it sends commands to the POWERCELLs or inMOTION cells in your system and commands them to turn an output on or off.

The MASTERCELL can be put into its Messaging Mode.  This mode opens up the MASTERCELL Input Troubleshooting and Diagnostics feature in your Infinitybox 20-Circuit Kit.  To put the MASTERCELL into Messaging Mode, you simply press and hold the “SCROLL UP” and “SELECT” buttons under the clear cover.  These are the two buttons on the right, under the inSIGHT LCD screen.  Press these buttons together, hold them for one second then let them go.  You will get a message on the screen that says “inSIGHT WILL DISPLAY ALL INPUT CHANGES FROM ANY SOURCE”.  You will also note that the back light of the inSIGHT LCD will turn on and stay on.

When you turn any MASTERCELL on or off, the inSIGHT screen will confirm that.  It will tell you which input the MASTERCELL say turn on or off.  It will also tell you which cell it is supposed to be controlling and which output.

The following video goes through this in detail.  You can see which buttons to press to put the MASTERCELL into Messaging Mode.  You will also see what the messages on the MASTERCELL screen look like when you turn inputs on and off.  Check out the video here.

Messaging Mode is a very powerful tool.  You can use it as you go through the process of wiring your car or truck with our Infinitybox system.  You can wire each switch, step by step, then use Messaging Mode to confirm that you have the correct input wired to the switch by following the details of your Configuration Sheet.  You can also use this to confirm that you switch is working correctly and that you have good grounds for each of your switches.

If you have problems on the road, you can easily put the MASTERCELL into its Messaging Mode and check for any issues with your switches or the wiring from the MASTERCELL.  No tools are needed.

If you have any additional questions about the MASTERCELL Input Troubleshooting and Diagnostics features of the Infinitybox system, click here to contact our team.

Infinitybox Video-MASTERCELL PollingCopyright Infinitybox, LLC 2021. All Rights Reserved.

MASTERCELL Polling Video

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We pack a ton of powerful diagnostic tools into our Infinitybox 20-Circuit Kit.  With no tools, you can use the inSIGHT screen on the MASTERCELL to learn about everything that is going on in your car’s electrical system.  There is no other wiring harness on the market that can get you that power.

We just published another video going through the specifics of the built-in troubleshooting and diagnostic tools in your Infinitybox system.  This new video covers Polling the system from the MASTERCELL.  When the MASTERCELL power up, it takes an inventory of all of the cells on the CAN network.  This includes your POWERCELLs, inMOTION Cells, inVIRONMENT cells and inTOUCH NET.  From the MASTERCELL screen, you can easily check to make sure that all of the cells are properly communicating on the CAN network.

You can also dig deeper into each cell by polling it from the MASTERCELL screen.  By polling the POWERCELLs, you can get a measurement of the battery voltage measured locally at the POWERCELL.  You can also get a reading of the temperature of the POWERCELL.  You also get a measurement of the Charge Pump voltage on the POWERCELL.  This is a safety system that we monitor to make sure that the POWERCELL is operating correctly.  Lastly, you can get a picture of which outputs are on and off on the POWERCELL.

If you poll the MASTERCELL, you can get a real-time status of all of the switches that are connected.  This is really helpful for troubleshooting and checking your switches as you wire them to the Infinitybox system.

You can watch the new video that goes through polling the system from the MASTERCELL in detail.

You can download our full Diagnostic and Troubleshooting Guide for the 20-Circuit Kit by clicking this link.

You can click on this link if you have any additional technical questions about wiring your car or truck with our Infinitybox system.  

Picture of the Infinitybox MASTERCELL inSIGHT ScreenCopyright Infinitybox, LLC 2021. All Rights Reserved.

Error Log

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There are lots of things that set our Infinitybox wiring system apart from traditional harnesses.  Our troubleshooting and diagnostics is probably one of the most significant features that we offer.  The system will tell you where there are problems in the wiring harness, with no tools required.

One of the more significant features that is built into every one of our systems is our Error Log.  This is an advanced troubleshooting tool that can help to identify problems with a system installed in any vehicle.  The system actively monitors key parameters in the wiring harness.  If these go out of their expected range, the MASTERCELL stores these errors and has the capability to display them back for problem solving.

Let’s start with a deeper dive into how the system works.  When you turn on a switch, the MASTERCELL sees the input get grounded.  It sends a signal to the POWERCELL to turn on an output.  Before the POWERCELL can turn on that output, it needs to check to make sure that everything is safe to do so.  There are three critical parameters that the POWERCELLs check before they can turn on an output: the primary battery voltage, the charge pump voltage and the POWERCELL temperature.  The POWERCELL is continuously monitoring these values and making decision on what to do with them.

The primary battery voltage is an easy one.  The voltage that the POWERCELL is fed from the battery has to be in a specific range.  A charged battery should be at about 12.8 volts.  When the engine is running and the alternator is charging, that voltage should be between 13.8 to 14.2 volts.  The Infinitybox system has internal high and low limits that it watches for the primary battery voltage.  The system can operate down to 6.5 volts and up to 19.0 volts.  If the measured voltage goes outside of these limits, the POWERCELL will shut the outputs off for safety.  In general, your system should be operating between 12.2 and 14.2 volts.  If you’re outside of that, you have a battery or charging issue.

The next one is charge pump voltage.  This is an internal measurement that we take to assess the health of the POWERCELL.  A charge pump is exactly what it sounds like.  We have circuitry on the board that pumps up a charge and stores it.  This stored charge is used to turn the MOSFETs on.  We don’t use relays on the POWERCELL, we use solid-state MOSFETs.  These can do a lot more than a relay but they need to be turned on a specific way.  That’s what the charge pump does.  We monitor the charge pump voltage and display it as part of the POWERCELL statistics.  Depending on the software version, some systems will display CP Volts.  Other systems may display CP Delta.  If  your system shows CP volts, this number should be above 22-volts.  If your system shows CP Delta, it should be above 12.0.  Again, this in an internal measurement that we use to assess the health of the POWERCELL.

The last measurement that we take is board temperature.  Each board has a small temperature sensor mounted on it.  This lets the processor monitor the temperature on the printed circuit board.  This temperature is a combination of the heat generated on the board and the heat from the environment that the POWERCELL is mounted in.  All of the components on the POWERCELL boards are rated to 125 degrees Celsius (257 degrees Fahrenheit).  If the board temperature measured by the processor approaches this 125 C limit, it shuts the outputs down for safety.

So lets look at the error log.  If a POWERCELL records an error, it sends it to the MASTERCELL which stores it in a list.  The MASTERCELL stores 8 errors.  New errors that are recorded push the oldest errors out of this list.  The MASTERCELL reports the Uptime when the error was recorded, the cell that reported it and the outputs associated with it.  The uptime is a clock that starts when the system is powered up.  You can see this when it is running normally.  This is not a real-time clock because it does not continue to run when the system is shut down.

To get to the error log, you first remove the clear cover from the MASTERCELL.  Then you press and release the HOME and SCROLL DOWN buttons under the screen.  Hold them together for one second then let them go.  The MASTERCELL will display any errors that it has stored.  If you want to stop the error log process at any time, simply press and hold the HOME button for 5 seconds.

Our technical support team can learn a lot about your electrical system by looking at the events recorded in the error log.  It is usually easiest for you just to record a video of the error log running with your smart phone and send that to our team.  We can analyze it for you.

By looking at the events in the error log, we can identify problems with your grounds, your battery, your charging system and how you have the system installed in your car.  Check out this video to learn more.


Contact our technical support team if you have any questions about our error log, our diagnostics, our troubleshooting capabilities or any other questions related to our Infinitybox wiring system.