Help With a Switch Light?

Brawn · 09-12-2010, 08:43 PM

I'm not big on electronics, etc. so I really need help with what could be quite possibly a simple question:

I want to run an extra accessory on my vehicle and I'm using a cheap $4 lighted switch from Auto-Zone. I believe its labeled as a SPST rocker switch with 3 prongs underneath. Its rated as a 12 V, max 20 Amp and for acc. 240 watts.

I have one prong connected directly to the (+) positive of my battery. The middle prong is connected directly to the (+) wire of my accessory. And the third prong is connected directly to the (-) negative of my battery.

My accessory works fine when switched on and off. The switch light even works well for a day... but then it burns out by the next day. What am I doing wrong? How can I keep my switch light from burning out, did I wire it wrong? At least when the switch light burns out, my accessory still works, but I want the switch light to work too!

I have some theories, but I want to hear what others say on here first. Thanks!

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cabikejumper · 09-12-2010, 08:58 PM

Sounds like your load is too high.

02boxer · 09-12-2010, 09:10 PM

what accessory are you wanting to run?

Sounds like you should wire in a relay, and let that take the brunt of the electrical load

chris

Brawn · 09-12-2010, 11:01 PM

oops, ok i forgot to mention I need layman's terms here... load? relay? you guys lost me.

It does sound close to my theory though... I'm thinking every now and then the battery sends a surge of electrical charge more than 12volts and its frying my little switch bulb. Is there some device that I can wire in-between the battery and my switch that can prevent surges from reaching my switch? Sort of like a surge protector? Am I on the right track?

Brawn · 09-15-2010, 03:53 PM

Ok, I got some pretty good advice from Yahoo! Answers, so I decided to place a fuse on my power supply running from my positive terminal to my switch...

I also decided to ground the negative wire to a the frame as opposed to the negative terminal on the battery.

So far so good... but my only concern is that the blade fuse I'm using is rated at 20 Amps and my switch is rated at 20 Amps... so should I be using a 15 Amp fuse instead?

09-12-2010, 08:43 PM	#1
Brawn Scooby Newbie Member#: 251833 Join Date: Jul 2010 Chapter/Region: TXIC Location: McKinney, TX Vehicle: 2010 Forester Black	Help With a Switch Light? I'm not big on electronics, etc. so I really need help with what could be quite possibly a simple question: I want to run an extra accessory on my vehicle and I'm using a cheap $4 lighted switch from Auto-Zone. I believe its labeled as a SPST rocker switch with 3 prongs underneath. Its rated as a 12 V, max 20 Amp and for acc. 240 watts. I have one prong connected directly to the (+) positive of my battery. The middle prong is connected directly to the (+) wire of my accessory. And the third prong is connected directly to the (-) negative of my battery. My accessory works fine when switched on and off. The switch light even works well for a day... but then it burns out by the next day. What am I doing wrong? How can I keep my switch light from burning out, did I wire it wrong? At least when the switch light burns out, my accessory still works, but I want the switch light to work too! I have some theories, but I want to hear what others say on here first. Thanks! * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

09-15-2010, 03:53 PM	#5
Brawn Scooby Newbie Member#: 251833 Join Date: Jul 2010 Chapter/Region: TXIC Location: McKinney, TX Vehicle: 2010 Forester Black	Update Ok, I got some pretty good advice from Yahoo! Answers, so I decided to place a fuse on my power supply running from my positive terminal to my switch... I also decided to ground the negative wire to a the frame as opposed to the negative terminal on the battery. So far so good... but my only concern is that the blade fuse I'm using is rated at 20 Amps and my switch is rated at 20 Amps... so should I be using a 15 Amp fuse instead?

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09-12-2010, 08:58 PM	#2
cabikejumper Scooby Specialist Member#: 226604 Join Date: Oct 2009 Chapter/Region: TXIC Location: Stephenville,tx Vehicle: 2000 Mustang GT Black	Sounds like your load is too high.

09-12-2010, 09:10 PM	#3
02boxer Scooby Specialist Member#: 139853 Join Date: Feb 2007 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: the arsenal of democracy Mich. Vehicle: 2002 wrx....its tsxy silver	what accessory are you wanting to run? Sounds like you should wire in a relay, and let that take the brunt of the electrical load chris

09-12-2010, 11:01 PM	#4
Brawn Scooby Newbie Member#: 251833 Join Date: Jul 2010 Chapter/Region: TXIC Location: McKinney, TX Vehicle: 2010 Forester Black	oops, ok i forgot to mention I need layman's terms here... load? relay? you guys lost me. It does sound close to my theory though... I'm thinking every now and then the battery sends a surge of electrical charge more than 12volts and its frying my little switch bulb. Is there some device that I can wire in-between the battery and my switch that can prevent surges from reaching my switch? Sort of like a surge protector? Am I on the right track?