Stang70Fastback Posted February 16, 2012 Share Posted February 16, 2012 So I'm going to be wiring up some toggle switches in my car, but I'm trying to simplify the wiring as much as possible, and I've got a question. I have four on/off illuminated toggles in a bank. They are all identical and have three connections each, one for +, one for -, and one for + for the LED. I don't want to be running 12 wires through my firewall. Considering that the whole point of a switch is to be a low power draw device used to activate a relay, I'm thinking I can probably combine some of these connections without wires catching fire. I was curious what you guys thought about just using one 14 gauge wire running from the battery to the bank of switches and then splitting that into 8 leads running to all 4 + inputs and all 4 + inputs for the LED. Then I can just have my 4 ground wires going out to the various relays in the vehicle. I don't see why this would be a problem, since you really don't need much current at all when you are simply activating a relay, but it cuts the number of wires running to the bank from 12 down to 5, so I think it's a good idea. Thoughts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevenva Posted February 19, 2012 Share Posted February 19, 2012 What are the 4 devices you need to run? Will they be ignition controlled or constant +12V? If it is a 3 pronged switch with an led light then the ground is an input for the led only, it's the +12v that is controlled by the switch. 1 in, common to the led and switch, and 1 out to the device. You will not have the 4 seperate grounds going out to your relays wired as you say, (doesn't really matter anyway if you are using relays) unless you reverse where you hook up the +/- input for the switch. You may then have a problem with the led lighting at all if wired for it to act on the negative pole. The led (being a polarized diode and not a bulb) may only light when wired the first way. Let me know what your are trying to accomplish RIP 96 Legacy 2.2 4EAT lost reverse @ 374,000 miles Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I Donated broknindarkagain Posted February 19, 2012 I Donated Share Posted February 19, 2012 Running 1 power wire through the firewall and splitting it into multiple wires inside the cab shouldn't be a problem as long as you're using quality wire in the proper gauge. As far as what gauge wire to use, it really depends on what you're trying to power. -broknindarkagain My Current Project - Click Here COME AND TAKE IT "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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