Worklight wiring diagram?? Help please

[foghornn]

Hi all,

Wanting to install a worklight off my rear wheel carrier. Wanting to have a switch internal and also external - can this be done - what will the wiring layout be?

Foghornn

[evil_hitman]

depending on your switches/light you may need to install a relay.

if either switch is on the light will be on. It requires both switches to be off to be off.. Only downside to this setup is if you get some little %#$ turn on the outside switch whilst you're parked somewhere you can count on a flat battery coming your way, and a copper will pull ya up if ya don't notice it.

This is a simple setup. but if you want more complex eg, outside switch only works if inside switch is on or is in a certain position (for a multi-position switch) it's easy done. just let me know.

hope this helps

Matt

[v6hilux]

Hey Matt,

What about a fuse to prevent the car burning to the ground?

Foghornn, I suggest placing an inline fuse closest to the + as possible to prevent fire risk.

[foghornn]

Thanks guys,

Hitman, I did have concerns with the little .... turning the bloody thing on from outside so was thinking like you that a setup with the outside switch working only if the inside one is on would be good. I've setup the fridge so that the missus can just turn it on from the dash as she heads down to the shops and that was quite easy but I'm not too sure with 2 switches. I'd also like to have a relay so that theres low current into the car itself - just like with headlights etc. but am unsure of if I could just do this and then place another switch beside the actual light at the back of the car inline. Can an ordinary switch handle the load or would i need to get something special?

Sorry I should have been a bit more specific in my initial question.

Foghornn

[-Scott-]

Thanks guys,

Hitman, I did have concerns with the little .... turning the bloody thing on from outside so was thinking like you that a setup with the outside switch working only if the inside one is on would be good. I've setup the fridge so that the missus can just turn it on from the dash as she heads down to the shops and that was quite easy but I'm not too sure with 2 switches. I'd also like to have a relay so that theres low current into the car itself - just like with headlights etc. but am unsure of if I could just do this and then place another switch beside the actual light at the back of the car inline. Can an ordinary switch handle the load or would i need to get something special?

Sorry I should have been a bit more specific in my initial question.

Foghornn

OK, I'll presume you're talking about a 55W worklight, not a 200W aircraft landing light...

A relay is typically used to avoid the voltage drop from running the high current into the cabin and back out again.

If you're running power from a battery in the front to a light down the back then you may not need to run the wires far out of their way to where you want the switch. If not, there's not a lot to be gained by using a relay - there are definitely switches out there capable of handling that sort of current.

Matt's circuit will work, but I'd be more inclined to put relay (switched by internal switch) in series with external switch - so light will only come on when BOTH are on. Leave the external switch on most of the time, internal switch controls when light is on/off. Around camp, internal switch is on, and use the external switch to turn the light on/off as you need it - use the internal switch to isolate the circuit day to day.

Of course, it is illegal for rear facing white lights (other than reversing lights) to be switchable from the driver's position.

[v6hilux]

It's possible to have 2 switches that turn the lamp on or off from either, regardless of the position of either.



This is the way it is done in household circuits when you have a big room and want a switch in 2 locations for the 1 lamp.

If your only running a 55W lamp, then 2 X 10 amp automotive switches will do the job.

[-Scott-]

It's possible to have 2 switches that turn the lamp on or off from either, regardless of the position of either.



This is the way it is done in household circuits when you have a big room and want a switch in 2 locations for the 1 lamp.

If your only running a 55W lamp, then 2 X 10 amp automotive switches will do the job.

Could you throw some detail into that diagram, to show what the contacts are doing? The way I interpret that diagram, worst case, current flows between the two switches three times. Is that what you're suggesting?

[ausoops]

yeah i think you need to re draw that picture with the fused active going to the common terminal on sw1 and the feed to the light attached to common terminal on sw2. the way it is drawn it will be on when sw1 is off and sw2 is on and it will be off when both are in the on position. very confusing,

[v6hilux]

The way I interpret that diagram, worst case, current flows between the two switches three times. Is that what you're suggesting?

There is nothing "worst" about it! It's just "analogue logic"!

4 Different states;

[-Scott-]

There is nothing "worst" about it! It's just "analogue logic"!

Yes, that's a worst case - why have current flow between the switches three times, when once is all that's required? What's the point in adding that much resistive loss to the circuit? Any electrician who wires like that is using excess copper, which is costing the client too much.

Try this:



And the switches are single pole double throw - a single throw switch is only closed in one position.

[evil_hitman]

What about a fuse to prevent the car burning to the ground?

It was a long day, and for me fuses go without saying, although you're right i should have put it in the diagram. I was more going for the general concept of what needed to be done for the most basic of setups.

If i were to do it myself i'd rig it up like scott has drawn most likely with a relay as i have a 4 gauge already running to the back of the car direct off the battery (via a fuse) and from there 8 gauge to the roof rack.

[v6hilux]

Yes, that's a worst case - why have current flow between the switches three times, when once is all that's required?

Show us how you would do a cheap circuit that allows two independent switches. As far as resistance, thats not the issue.

[-Scott-]

Yes, that's a worst case - why have current flow between the switches three times, when once is all that's required?

As far as resistance, thats not the issue.

Of course resistance is an issue. We're talking about 12V systems, and loads which are capable of creating a significant voltage drop. You're suggesting a circuit which can send current from the front of the vehicle, to the rear, back to the front, and then back to the rear again. We normally recommend using larger cable to minimise voltage drop, and you recommend tripling up? You're a cable dealer, aren't you!

Show us how you would do a cheap circuit that allows two independent switches.

I thought I did. Perhaps you missed it?

Try this:

[v6hilux]

You're a cable dealer, aren't you!

I thought I did. Perhaps you missed it?

Scott, your interpretation of the English language astounds me. Your arrogant attitude is that of a retail trader. You are surely a legend in the workplace mealroom.

Tell me how your description of a circuit with 2 independent switches (not reliant on each other) could be better than mine without getting into a logic device to do the same thing. Did you not see the word relay in my diagrams? Tell me how critical it is when operating such a low current device that draws less current than 1 of 2 incandescent taillamps from an equal length of wire?

You are scaring people here!

There is no need. The "customers" here are not mass producing vehicles, so the extra 2 or 3 metres of wire is irrelevant to the cost when the added feature of a second switch is involved!

Also, anyone with a walk through hall or room in a house or building will be able to use this circuit to make life easier in darker times of the day.

[evil_hitman]

Did you not see the word relay in my diagrams?

I saw the word relay, but i also saw the words "lamp" and "or"

running the power back and forth when it's not necessary is not good practice (just like me leaving the fuse off the diagram is not good practice). Whilst i will concede that if this was to be switching a relay, being a low current device, it really wouldn't make much operational difference, however it is messy, innefficient and should it be used to switch a lamp directly, as your diagram suggests is possible, it could result in voltage drop as the electricity would need to travel 3 times the distance.

cheers
Matt

[chimpboy]

Tell me how your description of a circuit with 2 independent switches (not reliant on each other) could be better than mine without getting into a logic device to do the same thing.

I am not sure what you are getting at with your reference to a "logic device", but it seems to me that Scott's diagram uses less cable and complexity to achieve the same outcome as your more complicated diagram.

Also, they are single-pole, double-throw switches (which Scott left wrong in his version of the diagram) in case anyone is going out shopping for this gear.

[-Scott-]

You're a cable dealer, aren't you!

I thought I did. Perhaps you missed it?

Scott, your interpretation of the English language astounds me. Your arrogant attitude is that of a retail trader. You are surely a legend in the workplace mealroom.

What's with the personal attacks? Don't like being wrong?

Tell me how your description of a circuit with 2 independent switches (not reliant on each other) could be better than mine

I did.

You are scaring people here!

I'm scaring OL members by arguing with you?

Also, anyone with a walk through hall or room in a house or building will be able to use this circuit to make life easier in darker times of the day.

Your circuit may work, but there's a better way to do it - and it's not just my opinion, nor is it my circuit. Stick with advising on nuts and bolts. Your electrical advice sucks.

Also, they are single-pole, double-throw switches (which Scott left wrong in his version of the diagram) in case anyone is going out shopping for this gear.

Fixed it - just for you.

[v6hilux]

I am not sure what you are getting at with your reference to a "logic device"

A logic device could a processor (module) with 1,2, 50 or any number of switch inputs that will control a lamp or relay to switch on or off.

You're a cable dealer, aren't you!

I guess I took that the wrong way.

I'll take back anything you think is personal!

I don't the world to be a nasty place!