wiring illuminted rocker switch

Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: Lights, Neon, LEDs, HIDs
Forum Discription: Under Car Lighting, Strobe Lights, Fog Lights, Headlights, HIDs, DRL, Tail Lights, Brake Lights, Dashboard Lights, WigWag, etc.
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=113232
Printed Date: May 07, 2025 at 8:06 PM

Topic: wiring illuminted rocker switch

Posted By: corvetteguy
Subject: wiring illuminted rocker switch
Date Posted: April 17, 2009 at 5:44 PM

Hello-

I'm new to this forum as I just discovered it while "Googling" to try and find an answer. I know this will be very helpful as I am familiar with other Forums on the internet and it's always great to be able to ask the people that are actually doing the stuff questions to gain from their experience. Thanks in advance for letting me participate.

Anyway, here is my question(s):

I am in the process of restoring my boat's dashboard and am installing illuminated rocker switches with incandescent lamps(as opposed to LEDs). Here is the link to what the switch is: https://www.iboats.com/Switch_Rocker_SP_On_Off/dm/cart_id.773988557--session_id.779770867--view_id.168262

It has three prongs, none labeled. Question 1: Using a DVM, how do I determine which prong is ground(-)?

Question 2: Once I determine the above, how do I wire it so I have the lamp on the switch lit when the load is "ON"? I know I need to jumper from one to another, but how? So far I have been able to set up a test circuit and get either the load lamp lit and not the switch, or I get the switch light to go OFF when I turn on the power to the load. This is very frustrating.

Any help anyone can provide will be appreciated. BTW, I did a search and couldn't find this topic, so I am posting. If this was recently answered please direct me to that thread, my apologies.

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John from Green Bay

Replies:

Posted By: KPierson
Date Posted: April 17, 2009 at 5:53 PM

You should be able to figure it out with an ohm meter.

Measure the resistance across each contact with the switch in both positions. The two pins that read near 0 ohms will be the switch.

Once you find those two pins, turn the switch "off" so you have infinate ohms between the switch wires and then measure both switch contacts (individually of course) to the third pin. One of them should have 10-30 ohms on it. The contact that has this resistance is your switch output (goes to accessory) the "third" pin is the ground.

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Kevin Pierson

Posted By: corvetteguy
Date Posted: April 17, 2009 at 11:24 PM

Thanks KP-with a little help fom friends and your post we got it to work. On to wiring up the dash tomorrow...

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John from Green Bay