Illuminated switch

[NPloysa]

I can't get it to light up! It's a green LED, SPST toggle with three leads, Power, Acc, and Ground. It's rated for 12 volts, 20 amps. It works but won't light up. Do I need to ground it? I was testing it on a solenoid run off a 12 volt cordless drill battery... ...



Thanks

 

[fest3er]

You probably knowthis already, but I'll posit it anyway.

LEDs are voltage-polarized. B+ connects to the Power; B- connects to ground. Accessory connects to the load.

The LED might be wired in series with the load (i. e. , it might not light if there's no load). Try wiring a regular lightbulb between ACC and gnd; that'll give decent current from B+ through ACC to B-. It may be that the LED requires 'significant' load to light--just as the Dodge flasher needs regular bulbs, not LEDs, for turn signals to work--and the control side of the solenoid doesn't provide enough current draw.

Also, look for a schematic on the switch. Sometimes if there's an internal circuit, it'll be molded in the plastic. That should show you how to wire it into the circuit.

Having said all that, did you connect only the B+ and Acc? If so, that's probably the problem. Try connecting ground to B-. If that solves it, you will have learned how to dim the LED: put a variable resistor between the Gnd lug and B-. One watt might be sturdy enough.

 

[NPloysa]

Hey thanks! No, I didn't know that, so I learned something.



I did connect only the B+ and Acc. The solenoid opened but the light didn't come on.



Does anyone have a wiring diagram? I'm a visual learner

 

[NPloysa]

Got it! Works great!



This is how I wired it.



+ battery to Power on switch



-on battery to ground, SPLIT and then to solenoid.



Other solenoid lead to Acc



Thanks!



Nick