[phat_gibbo]

Hi all, after doing some searching and not finding a definitive answer on wiring up my LED Light bar, I am looking for some help.

I want to wire up my LED light bar so it is switched on with the high beam when a rocker switch is in one direction. But then I want the light to switch on independently when the rocker switch is in the other direction (it will all be hooked up to second battery so not worried about current drain). It is a SPDT rocker switch and the centre is off.

I would like to know how to modify the attached wiring diagram to make this work with the negative switching and also have the LED lights illuminate on the switch itself, as these are LED (diode), i am not 100% sure on how to make it all work.

Is this possible?

The wiring Diagram i am basing all this off:


The bottom of the switch:


Side:


Top (with led lights)

[striker99]

That's the diagram I used, worked perfectly.

[phat_gibbo]

Thanks for the reply striker, but that diagram doesn't allow the light to switch on independently of the headlight switch as the switch in the diagram is SPST.

After catching up with a mate who is an electrician I now have the answer, I thought I would post if anyone else is interested.

What you need to do is turn the negative switch from the headlight into a positive with a relay, then use the attached diagram for a positive switching circuit (ignoring the right side where it hooks up to the headlight). Then hook up one side of the switch to the positive switching system, and the other side of the switch to the relay that attached to the headlight circuit (other diagram).

Basically click the switch one way, light bar comes on with head lights, switch the other way, light bar comes on even if the car ignition is off. Also the LEDs in the switch will work.

I have attached the 2 circuits for reference. If anyone needs me to draw out a full diagram if that doesn't make sense then i am happy to.

[striker99]

From memory I went from 86 to the switch, and from the switch to the negative wire off the high beams. It worked fine just the light didn't illuminate on the rocker switch.

[fordem]

phat_gibbo wrote:

Thanks for the reply striker, but that diagram doesn't allow the light to switch on independently of the headlight switch as the switch in the diagram is SPST.

First - NOTHING in the first diagram says the switch is SPST, the switch you show is SPDT, and with an SPDT switch correctly wired, it would work the way you describe it - notice the drawing has three wires to the switch and your switch has four terminals - if it doesn't work as described, you have the switch wired incorrectly.

An SPST switch - single pole, single throw is a simple OFF/ON switch, and can NOT do what you're asking of it - your switch is a three position ON/OFF/ON switch - two throws, so, SPDT.

Second - unless I'm very much mistaken - Australian regulations do not allow for driving lights to the switched independently of the headlights.

[phat_gibbo]

Thanks Foredem for your reply, but EVERYTHING (I hate using caps, but if you are going to yell at me I will yell in return) in the first diagram says that it is SPST, a switch with only 3 terminals, one being the load, one being the switched terminal and one being the negative would pretty clearly indicate that it is SPST. If you are not sure on how to read wiring diagrams or electronics, do some reading or a google search and i am sure that will clear it up. I clearly stated that the switch i had (and in the pictures) was a STDP so i am not sure why you ar so confused, and what i was offering was a solution to a problem of trying to wire in this switch to a jimny negative switching headlight problem.

I completely understand your second point that it is not entirely legal in Australia the way you describe, hence why i wanted one of the options of the switch to be switched on and off with the headlight on/off which does comply to Australian regulations but also an option to allow the light to be used when setting up camp etc and as long as this wasn't used on the roads etc it would not be illegal.

[striker99]

I think i may have missed the point of this in most first two comments apologies.

How I would do it is using a simple 3 position ON OFF ON switch.going from the relay pin 86 to the middle prong on your switch. Then ON prong pin 1 goes to the negative from the high beam relay. ON prong pin 3 goes to the ground on the car. Obviously this wouldn't give you any illuminated lights on a basic switch bur it's probably by far the easiest way to wire it, all be it likely not legal as stated above.

[fordem]

phat_gibbo wrote:

Thanks Foredem for your reply, but EVERYTHING (I hate using caps, but if you are going to yell at me I will yell in return) in the first diagram says that it is SPST, a switch with only 3 terminals, one being the load, one being the switched terminal and one being the negative would pretty clearly indicate that it is SPST. If you are not sure on how to read wiring diagrams or electronics, do some reading or a google search and i am sure that will clear it up. I clearly stated that the switch i had (and in the pictures) was a STDP so i am not sure why you ar so confused, and what i was offering was a solution to a problem of trying to wire in this switch to a jimny negative switching headlight problem.

I completely understand your second point that it is not entirely legal in Australia the way you describe, hence why i wanted one of the options of the switch to be switched on and off with the headlight on/off which does comply to Australian regulations but also an option to allow the light to be used when setting up camp etc and as long as this wasn't used on the roads etc it would not be illegal.

You're speaking to a guy that has spent four decades in the industry - if it's one thing I know how to do, it's read a circuit diagram.

Now - since you have a problem with uppercase, I will emphasize by using underlining.

Let's look at your requirements, you state a need for two ON positions - this cannot be achieved with an SPST switch, because it's a simple ON/OFF switch.

SPST switches, without indicators have two terminals, SPDT switches, without indicators have three terminals - correctly drawn this is what the switches would look like ...



The switch, in your pictorial designed to be used by the electrically illiterate, is a three terminal switch, implying it is an SPDT switch - because the diagram is a pictorial, and not a proper diagram, the actual type of switch is unclear, but given your stated requirements, we know an SPST switch is unsuitable for this purpose, further indicating that this is probably an SPDT switch.

To cut to the chase - wire an SPDT switch, like the one shown in my image, into your pictorial and it WILL work, exactly as described - wire the switch you have correctly using that pictorial, and it will work, exactly as described - with the exception of the LED indicators - by the way, if the switch has incandescent indicators, those can be made to work.l