Here's what I want.....

I want to be able to run my offroad lights when the highbeams come on, as well as have them independent of the highs for use whenever I want them. Figuring I'd need it, I bought an illuminated, on-off-on switch, and now looking at the diagram it seems that it is designed for 2 loads with one power supply, and not 1 load with 2 different power supplies. Here are the terminal specs...

#1 terminal to #1 load,
#2 to Bat
#3 to Load #2
#4 to Load #1 and ground.

I know I can't put power from the bat AND from the highbeams to the #2 bat terminal, as it will mean it has power all the time regardless of the highbeam power. I haven't tried it yet but I'm thinking I can switch the wires around and still use this switch. Meaning, possibily moving the highbeam power to load #1, power from the BAT to Load #3, and run the lights (load) from the #2 BAT termainal? Would this work or am I way off? Anyway, before I give er' a go, I was wondering if anybody here has any ideas, or if I may need a different switch? I bought the switch from an auto elec shop, and I told him what I wanted to do and this is what he gave me. He's closed on the weekends or I'd ask him. Any ideas guys?

Also, I'm guessing I could just wire the lights directly to the highbeams, and then tap in a single pole (on-off) seperately from the bat. But if I was to forget the the lights were on with the highs, or visa versa, the switch on and then hit the highs, wouldn't that blow a fuse or the switch?

Thanks for your help....

 

You have a Single Pole/Double Throw. What you want is a Double Pole/Double Throw.

On wikipedia.org, search the word switch. It has all of the diagrams for switches.

 

Makes sense. I haven't played with wires in a vehicle in years. It's all coming back to me now.....
Thanks much....

 

Why didn't you just wire them independently of the high beams to begin with?

 

I haven't wired them at all yet.

Because for the half hour drive to work, or other long drives, (we have a lot of nighttime here in AK. in the winter) I want them to come on when I hit the highs and not have to hit another switch too every time. But I'm sure at times I would want to use them by themselves.....say if you're parked somewhere and want to shine the lights "easily" towards a different direction other than the direction the jeep is pointing.

 

I had posted something earlier and thought of another idea. Then I read your original post.

You were absolutely correct. WIre the switch backwards. It doesn't care about the direction the power flows. It just makes and breaks contacts.


#1 terminal to #1 load, "HighBeams"
#2 to Bat "Added Lights"
#3 to Load #2 "Constant/Switched Hot"
#4 to Load #1 and ground. "Do not connect"

The ground is there for the indicator in the switch. It would always be lit. When the switched hot now on Terminal 3 energized the light would light whether the switch was on or off. When you turn on the high beams and terminal #1 was energized...same thing. Leave the ground off and the light will never come on.