HELP: Custom Switches, FUSES?, Power?

  1. Frequent Poster Joined: Dec 2007 Gt Yarmouth Posts: 717 56 Plate Fiesta Zetec-S TDCI 52 Plate Icelandic G
    #1
    Hey all, soon i will be adding some dash switches that will control things like my showlights, boot popper solenoid, small blue flashing led's and so on.
    Please can you tell me what:

    The best place to run lives from?

    If i would need any fuses, and if so where should they be placed and what size?

    Also would i need a negative for the showlights or do i just put them to earthed terminal / chassis? When i brought them they come with cig-lighter plug but i have cut the plug off and have red and black now.

    Thanks all! REP will be given of course!
  2. Frequent Poster Joined: Feb 2007 Posts: 823
    #2
    wrong section mate.

    i run my lives from the back of the cig lighter. as this is already fused.
  3. Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Jul 2007 Sussex Posts: 3891 2x 106 GTi
    #3
    Cig lighter and headunit are easy to tap into. Both are already fused. For the showlights you will need to connect to a switched live and earthed
  4. Frequent Poster Joined: Dec 2007 Gt Yarmouth Posts: 717 56 Plate Fiesta Zetec-S TDCI 52 Plate Icelandic G
    #4
    My apologies for the wrong section, its getting late
    Cheers for the replys!
  5. Frequent Poster Joined: May 2006 Posts: 691 Mk 1 VTS poseidon blue
    #5
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by VTR_Dan_VTS View Post
    The best place to run lives from?.
    Direct from the battery

    Quote:
    Originally Posted by VTR_Dan_VTS View Post
    If i would need any fuses, and if so where should they be placed and what size?
    I'd use a fuse if I was you! The size will depend on the power of the lights, popper etc...

    From school:

    Power = Voltage x Current

    so if you're lights are 100W at 12V you will draw 8.33Amps so go the next size up - 10Amp fuse

    Quote:
    Originally Posted by VTR_Dan_VTS View Post
    Also would i need a negative for the showlights or do i just put them to earthed terminal / chassis? When i brought them they come with cig-lighter plug but i have cut the plug off and have red and black now.
    No negative just bolt it to the chassis! If it's a high current appliance, you will need to use the correct gauge wire or things will melt! To avoid using thick wire and melting switches etc you will be better off putting a relay in between the appliance and the switch!

    IIRC the cig lighter circuits on a 20Amp fuse so 20A x 12V = 240Watts... If you use any more than 240Watts from behind the cig lighter the fuse will blow! I think it's also on the same circuit as the horn so remember if you are using 200W and use the horn, the fuse will blow!
  6. Super Moderator Joined: Mar 2003 Durham (England) Posts: 37932 1. AX 2. Mk2 Saxo VTR 3. MK4 R32 DBP
    #6
    as said any live you could tap into, id tap into a switched live and put an inline fuse in the wire too

    for the blue flashing leds are you wanting them as alarm lights so they flash when you switch the ignition off and stop with the ignition on ????
  7. Frequent Poster Joined: Dec 2007 Gt Yarmouth Posts: 717 56 Plate Fiesta Zetec-S TDCI 52 Plate Icelandic G
    #7
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Predator_VTR View Post
    as said any live you could tap into, id tap into a switched live and put an inline fuse in the wire too

    for the blue flashing leds are you wanting them as alarm lights so they flash when you switch the ignition off and stop with the ignition on ????
    Yeah totally, is it easy to do like that? Mine had some in with the toad alarm but dont seem to work.. will have to check out that too!