Switch light wiring?

AmDaMan · 11 May 2006 at 16:56

Hi, how would I go about getting the light to come on on this type of switch when the circuit is completed? I'd have thought the light would have come on when the it was a complete circuit, obviously I'm wrong and theres 3 pins.

thanks,

Mikeyboy · 11 May 2006 at 17:23

The middle pole is common, so depending on how the rocker is laying, will decide which outer pole is connected to the middle one.

Something like this...

Hope that helps.

AmDaMan · 11 May 2006 at 17:42

so it doesn't need another wire connecting to it?

Cheers.

basmic · 11 May 2006 at 17:45

Using Mikeyboy's diagram, I would say the middle pin is the positive, and connect the negative to either remaining pins.

Mikeyboy · 11 May 2006 at 17:56

AmDaMan said:
so it doesn't need another wire connecting to it?

Cheers.

Nope.

The type of switch will allow you to switch two lamps on and off. ie; Whilst one is off, the other is on.

basmic said:
Using Mikeyboy's diagram, I would say the middle pin is the positive, and connect the negative to either remaining pins.

I'd say neither are Negative, you only switch the Positive.

AmDaMan · 11 May 2006 at 20:58

Still can't get the switch to light up! I can get the switch to work but can't get it to light up!

ta.

Foghorn Leghorn · 11 May 2006 at 21:09

connect pin 1 to +ve pin 2 to whatever is controlled by the switch and pin 3 to -ve (neutral).

Basmic was the closest

If you look at the side of the switch you can see the load is connected across pins 1 and 2 and the neon/bulb is connected across pin 2 and 3

Fog

Trigger · 11 May 2006 at 21:09

What voltage are you switching? 240V or something lower?

AmDaMan · 11 May 2006 at 21:20

Pin 1 is earth I'm sure. As there was a black wire coming from that pin before. The other 2 pins had white wires on.

It's a fan switch for my car, so 12v but I stole the switch from a 240v appliance (would that matter?)

Foghorn Leghorn · 11 May 2006 at 21:24

AmDaMan said:
Pin 1 is earth I'm sure. As there was a black wire coming from that pin before. The other 2 pins had white wires on.

It's a fan switch for my car, so 12v but I stole the switch from a 240v appliance (would that matter?)

The light will not work for two reasons

1. It requires 240v across it not 12v

2. A 240v appliance is using AC (alternating current) your car is DC (direct current).

It doesnt matter what you do it will never work. (it will work as a switch but the illumination will never work, just to clear that up

)

Fog

AmDaMan · 11 May 2006 at 21:26

That explains so much! Cheers matey.

Foghorn Leghorn · 11 May 2006 at 21:31

no worries

Fog

Trigger · 11 May 2006 at 21:32

Foghorn Leghorn said:
The light will not work for two reasons

1. It requires 240v across it not 12v

2. A 240v appliance is using AC (alternating current) your car is DC (direct current).

It doesnt matter what you do it will never work. (it will work as a switch but the illumination will never work, just to clear that up )

Fog

It's okay when someone asks the right questions, eh?

Mickey_D · 12 May 2006 at 08:01

Pin 1 = item to be turned on and off.

Pin 2 = 12V+ to ignition or battery.

Pin 3 = earth

Before doing this, see if you can get inside the switch to change out the bulb with a 12V one. If not, leave pin 3 unconnected and you have a normal on/off switch with no light.