Light/button mod - looking for some help :)

[rocker4500]

Ok, me being me, likes extream stuff, stuff that probably isnt easy to do...so here goes :D

I am looking to make a button on my dash a 'light switch' :eyes up:, the button in question, the circiled one, (see bellow):

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j4/Rocker-4500/MINI/dash.jpg

The problem is, at the moment, this is a dummy button, so id somehow need to put in a 'proper' button. What i am looking for is that when this button is pressed i want LEDs to light up (come on) then obv when its pressed again, off, i want the LEDs to go off, hance a light switch :smilewinkgrin:! The problem is i'm a bit confised as to how this would be wired up :confused: and how the LEDs would connect to it and to the power etc :confused:

Anyone heard of anyone doing such a thing? or have any ideas?

Gary :thumbs up:

[countdown]

Just to clarify are you talking about wiring a illuminated switch to power something in the car. I dont know if you mean leds inside the switch or powering led's somewhere else in the car



My take on it:

The switch will have 2 contacts (non illuminated switch), it physically breaks the circuit. Connect the -ve of whatever your powering directly to chassis, then +ve of whatever your powering goes to switch contact, and the 2nd switch contact needs 12v (ie ignition wire at back of stereo or something).

Illuminated switch, same as above but 3rd contact will go to ground (so the switch can illuminate)

And just to add to it, if your powering something that draws a reasonable current you will have to use a relay.....which takes a bit more wiring and a vague grasp of relays (easy tho)


Someone correct me if im wrong (thats usually the case lol)

HTH:D

[rocker4500]

Yes, i am talking about wiring an illuminated or non illuminated (it doesnt matter) switch to power LED's else where in the car.

It sounds a bit confusing :confused:, but also possible :D i think i will have to look into it.

Basicaly, what i want is this, see diagram (excuse the crappyness):

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j4/Rocker-4500/MINI/diagram.jpg


Im just not exactly sure where the wires would go and where to get power...etc.!


Gary

[countdown]

Yes, i am talking about wiring an illuminated or non illuminated (it doesnt matter) switch to power LED's else where in the car.

It sounds a bit confusing :confused:, but also possible :D i think i will have to look into it.

Basicaly, what i want is this, see diagram (excuse the crappyness):

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j4/Rocker-4500/MINI/diagram.jpg


Im just not exactly sure where the wires would go and where to get power...etc.!


Gary

Hey Gary

Good news is you dont need a relay, LED's draw very little current. Only thing I would say is I dont know what LED's your buying, make sure they already have resitors wired on them (easy way to check is if they are for 12v applications). If not you would need to wire in resitors - some calculations required for that i'm afraid or they will go pop..

http://white-leds.co.uk/led-wiring-guide.htm

Wire as I previosuly mentioned.

Power is easy in a car, everything is 12V - have your pick of a wire. I would use ignition wire, probably an orange colour wire (easy access behind the stereo), ignition wire 12V drops when the ignitions is off (thats why the stereo switches off when ignition is off). That way you will not accidently drain the battery. But i dont know your application you may want the LED's to work when ignition is off.

Earth is easy - any chasis point (metal in the car) is connected to earth at the battery, so if you see a bolt going into chasis you could put a wire there or any black wire in the car (i would double check with a voltmeter just to be sure), again i would just go behind the stereo and splice into a wire.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y235/countdown84/led800x600.jpg


Just like physics in school:idea:

Oh and another top tip, LEDS have polarity (unlike filament bulbs), you need to wire them round the correct way or they wont work.


HTH (sorry if thats not what your asking, or its to simple:blush:)

[rocker4500]

AutoCAD, why didnt i think of that for my diagram lol never mind...

Thanks very much for that, that is pretty much exactly what i am looking for...i think :D

The LED's i was considering using were these ones here from the mikeythemini: LED's (http://www.newministuff.com/new/shop.php?action=productshow&id=84) Im not sure if these have resitors :confused:

Yeah, i would use the ignition wire behind the stereo. I am going to take my stereo out (if i can find the things to get it out with, no idea where i put the box :eyes up:) and have a wee nose around, possibly tomorrow or firday, when i have a bit of time to see how i am going to this etc. So no doubt i'll be posting another question again :D.

Thanks very much for that, that has been a great help :thumbs up:

I need to figure out where i can now get a button lol!

Do i have to use certain type of wire for this? Also if i done this, should i disconnect the battery whilst doing so?

Thanks again,
Gary

[countdown]

mikeythemini LED's appear to have resitors in them looking at the pics (imagine they will be in that little sealed orange box). So you should be fine just sticking 12v across them.

Any wire you can lay your mitts on will do, due to the minute current you will be using. Can get wire in maplins
http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=6197&DOY=17m9
http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=20666

I'm not sure what switch you would use, you can buy mini toggle switches that would probably be made to fit quite easily
http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=20666

I had a look at push switches in maplins but they are all a bit big for your application.


Good luck:thumbs up:

[mikeythemini]

I havn't had one of those panels open, but have got one at the shop so will open it
AN idea is to replace your panel with a version with air con from a breakers yard (make sure the plug is the same) then use the air con button to do your switching. The mini uses none latching buttons so you would need a latching relay

On getting a live wire - you could go for an auxillery live wire - this is easier as you could get that at the stereo - if you have an aftermarket stereo then - its the red wire on the harness adaptor

[rocker4500]

Ok cheers guys, i'm going to look into this hopfully tomorrow :thumbs up:

I will no doubt be back with questions haha cheers :thumbs up:

[rocker4500]

OK, so i have had bits off from here and bits off from their today. I now have a good idea of where i am going to get all the wire to go etc etc etc. However im confused with the power cable :confused:

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j4/Rocker-4500/MINI/19092008021.jpg

I don't mind of their even being this amout of wires LOL

[countdown]

Do you have a multimeter? I would hazard a guess the orange/white being ignition, and black Earth. But as I say thats a guess - need to check with a voltmeter, or someone else may be able to give you a definate;)

[rocker4500]

I dont have a volt meter but i shall get a hold of one and give it a test :thumbs up: