yellowxboy

this is what i have set up right now for my cathodes..



my question is ... i want them to light up when i open the doors.. BUT! i also want to hook a switch so that i can turn them on even if the door is closed.

i read from SE's forum that i need a "diode" so that the door lights dont turn on when i turn the cathodes on w/ the switch.. where would i put the diode? between the door grounding wire right?

here is my problem. if i have a switch between the constant power, and the switch is turned off ... how does the cathodes get power to light up when the door is opened?

is it possible to for this kind of set up..




is it possible to use a rocker switch to control the ground wire ??

... sorry for the paint pictures. lol

U-S-S-TC1701

hay yellowxboy I posted some pics of the ground wires for the reply you left me
https://www.scionlife.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=120546

If you want to have the lights turn on when the doors are shut, you would have to put a switch on the ground wire. because when you shut the door the ground is broken and you need a switch to ground it again.

yellowxboy

did you use a "diode" though? .. is it set up like the 2nd picture i drew minus the "diode" ... ??

U-S-S-TC1701

this is my setup with out a switch on the ground wire. I only put a switch on the power so i can turn them off if im working on the car with the doors open. that way it wouldn't drain the battery. sorry but this is the first time i heard of a diode, I don't know what to use one on. but if you just put a switch on the ground wire, like the picture shows, you can turn the lights on when the doors are shut, because the ground would be reconnected.

yellowxboy

sweet, thanks for the pictures. hmmm.. i'm still debating on how i want this to work because we can only have 4 switches and i already have 1 for the led vents/cupholder, 1 for the interior cathoes. and i'm trying to save 1 for the underbody lights and 1 for fogs possibly..

yellowxboy

ooo i think imma use 1 regular switch for the ground and a mini/small switch for the power and hide that one under the seat or something..

i cant wait to do this!

U-S-S-TC1701

hay did you ever look at the back of the fuse cover, the one below the switches. theres is 3 more spots for more switches, but you would have to cut them. but like you were thinking just hide a small switch in the engine bay for the power. post some pics when you get done.

I have the fogs, so I only have room for 3 switches. the randode kit, leds, and the cathodes to the door.

-Keith-

get a 3 way switch...

One part is off other is constant power from battery other is from door being open

yellowxboy

:X i need to go buy some fuses and 2 more switches, i got the varad led underbody kit coming soon! i'm not sure when i will get the chance to change my wirings and such cuz i'm starting to work more hours now. but when i do, i'll take pics