wire primary/secondary 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=113437
Printed Date: June 15, 2024 at 2:25 PM

Topic: wire primary/secondary switch

Posted By: absolutalchemy
Subject: wire primary/secondary switch
Date Posted: April 26, 2009 at 10:23 PM

I'm looking to use a SPDT rocker switch ON/OFF/ON to allow me to have one switch that has Primary ( all led lights ) and Secondary ( rear led lights only ). I am planning to run the front 2 led lights to one side of the switch and the rear 2 led lights to the other side of the switch. Then use a rectifier diode to bridge from the one side to the other, so when I switch to secondary only the rear turns on, and when flipped to primary the front comes on and diode also allows power to rear so they come on as well. Is this a proper way to do this? Any thoughts or comments would be great. Thanks

Replies:

Posted By: absolutalchemy
Date Posted: April 26, 2009 at 10:24 PM

BTW its for an 05 ford F 150, thanks

Posted By: KPierson
Date Posted: April 27, 2009 at 8:38 AM

Yes, that would work as long as the diode has enough current capacity. If you are only running to small LEDs then it won't be a problem - a 1A diode will work.

If you plan to pull a decent amount of current through the switch you will need to keep the same conept but use relays. You can diode isolate the relays so that it works the same way you described above, but since you are only switching a relay you can keep the small 1A diode.

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Kevin Pierson

Posted By: absolutalchemy
Date Posted: April 27, 2009 at 9:32 AM

the front leds are total of about 2 amps and the rear is about 2 amps as well, the diode I was looking at is:
Ultrafast Rectifier Diode
Dual Common Cathode
30 Amp
600V
50ns

IS that one ok?

Posted By: KPierson
Date Posted: April 27, 2009 at 10:28 AM

That's a pretty big diode, but it should work.

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Kevin Pierson

Posted By: i am an idiot
Date Posted: April 27, 2009 at 3:40 PM

Physically, how big is that diode?

Posted By: absolutalchemy
Date Posted: April 27, 2009 at 7:19 PM

Its 1.65 inches long, .645 inches wide, and .203 inches high

Is there a smaller one I can use that will work as well?

Posted By: i am an idiot
Date Posted: April 27, 2009 at 7:56 PM

Yes, radio shack sells a 6 amp diode. It is much smaller than the one you posted dimensions for.

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< color=#cc0000 >6A, 50V Rectifier Diodes (4-Pack)

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Model: 276-1661
Catalog #: 276-1661

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Disregard the text about relays on this picture. It was intended for using one switch for parking lights and headlights.

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Posted By: absolutalchemy
Date Posted: April 28, 2009 at 7:46 AM

thanks for the help, ill let you know how it goes