switch for neon strobes

I would appreciate any help with the following:

I have strobe lights (streetglow) installed in the inside of my car (under each seat, and under the dash). I also have strobes set up in my headlights, and grill.

I would like to add a pushbutton switch for each (SPST Push on-Push off switch rated @ 3amps at 250VAC).

I know this is not a 12VDC switch, but will I still be able to use this for my project?

I think I read somewhere that if the circuit requires more curren tthan the switch can handle, then a relay might be necessary. Can I use this switch without a relay? If not, what kind of relay would I need, and how would I connect everything? 

I have been trying to search the Forum for any info, but have not been able to find a soultion. I would really appreciate any assistance you guys can offer.

I have already been able to install a Pioneer in-dash dvd player, 2 monitors (one sunvisor, and overhead) thanks to all the info I found on this site. I even installed an underbody neon kit (gold series streetglow).

Thanks,

PHENZ

    Depending on the current requirements of the strobs you may or may not be able to use only the switch. I would recomend using the relay. You need a standard SPST relay but most likely you will find a SPDT relay. You can use eather of the two. I recomend wiring the contacts as follows.

One side of your switch to ground, the other side to contact #85 on the relay.

Wire contacts #30 and #86 to a fused power source.

Wire contact #87 to the +12v wire for your strobe power supply leave it grounded as it is now.

If you got any questions let me know.

Thanks! I am still a litlle confused, since this is a bit more complicated than just running 2 wires.

From what I see, the switch I bought will be on the ground cable of the relay. Can I ground this cable to the existing ground for my strobes (in other words tap into the same ground cable) or should I ground it at another point?

Also can I just run a jumper from #30 to #86, or do I need to run 2 seperate power cables?

How can I determine what kind of fuses I should use on a line? Should I always just place a big fuse on the line, or will this not work?

Thanks for your help. I am learning so much throught this site.

Wow. I can't thank you enough. That explanation is great!

I will set up my strobes as per your explanation this weekend. I will aslo be sure to read up more on relays, as I had no idea how helpful/necessary they can be.

Do you know how I should go about determining what kind of fuses I should be using?

I am learning alot from you. Thanks!!!

I will go to radio shack later and see if I can pick one up. You recommend an AMmeter over the DVOM right?

I alos have a car (nissan maxima 87) that has the battery die out after a few days of not being used. The battery is brand new, so I am led to beleive that there must be something in the car (old alarm, radio, etc) that is killing the battery. I remember reading in an old post here that to help diagnose the problem, I should use a meter of some sort sort to check each and every fuse. By doing so, I would be able to see which fuse was draining too much current, and by pulling it out, be able to determine where the problem was coming from.

My question is which meter should I use to do this. Would the AMmeter work?

Currently there is no fuse on my strobe light connections. I am going to add a realy with my new switch, and was wondering what size fuse I should add.

GeneHewett suggested I purchase a Ammeter to read the draw, and add a fuse which is about 5% more that the current draw value.

Do you have any other suggestions?