I'm trying to install an illuminated rocker switch with three terminals on it. The first Terminal is copper and the other two are silver. Can someone tell me how to wire this switch. For some reason I can't get the light in the switch to work.

This switch will be used to turn on LED's for my cupholder.

Kenny

 

you first need to figure out what part of the circuit you will be switching.

if you run the negative through the switch, you will need to give power to the extra post.

if you are running the positive through the switch, you will need to ground the extra post.

remeber that you are breaking only one part of the circuit and the ill. in the switch need both.

hope that helps a bit.

as for what post is for what part, it sounds like the silver is for the circuit and the copper is the extra post (ground/power).

 

I tried grounding both posts and still did not work. I also tried giving power to both and grounding the coper post. I'm not sure what is going on.

 

I have a diagram on the back of the box for the switch.

3 - copper (Neutral)
2 - Load
1- A/C in

Not sure what any of that means, but I hope it helps someone out so I can get this working today.

Thanks,

kenny

 

if it's a lighted switch, they probably use a LED which allows current to go one direction only, so you'll have to wire it like the diagram.

1 - goes to your ACC wire
2 - goes to your lights
3 - goes to ground

Try this to see if it works. Actually it sounds like you got a switch for a home appliance. I'm not sure if they have special req. but it may not be suitable for your car. If you can, just use a multimeter first to determine the flow of current and which terminals are which.

 

I tired that it still does not work. The switch I bought is for anything not just some appliance. I got it from Radio Shack. I'm not sure what the problem is. The switch does turn the LED's on and off though.

 

sometime the bulb for the light burns out. I used to used the lighted switches all the time for my driving light and had to replace them many times for that very reason.

 

Yeap, I agree with what you're saying. The voltage in our cars is not truly 12V constant 100% of the time. It kinda fluctuates between 10V-15V. And I'm guessing that if there was an led in there, then the resistor that's also in there, may not have been able to handle a 15V power surge and therefore burned up. If you already tried hooking it up one way, then try hooking it up the reverse way to see if the switch light comes on, if not you might want to take it back to Rat Shack. :D