Alley light switch options?

[bcaskey08]

I bought two 7in led bars to use as alley lights but I'm trying to figure out a solution for a switch. I have found a 4 position toggle switch through grainger but I'm not sure how it should be wired. I'd like up to be both lights on, down to be both lights off and left and right to be the left and right lights individually. Originally I was going to put two switches in and just have each light be independent but this 4 position toggle switch seems like a good way to save dash space for other switches.

Does anyone else have alley lights?

 

[bcaskey08]

These are what I'm looking at

http://img.bhs4.com/d7/0/d70c078e2320d93c4c72010f021fb072dddca915_large.jpg

https://www.bpbsurplus.com/xcart/images/D/2035-0209a.jpg

 

[1973Guppie]

Hey, looks like we are neighbors, , ie: carlsbad

what the heck is an alley light?

 

[ppc]

One switch to do all those functions is going to add complexity as it means adding diodes and/or relays to isolate each light from the other. First you should determine the max load and size the switch appropriately or relays will be required to handle the load. Visually the switch in the second link doesn't appear to be heavy duty enough. I would use two switches that don't require a blank to mount but just a small hole. You can mount them just about anywhere in the lower dash or on the console in front of the shifter.

 

[NLXTACY]

There are a few ways to do what you want. But I would wire each up independently and then use this as the controller. Or something like this, mainly because I'm pretty sure this is close enough to fit into a switch slot and its a 3-position rotary knob.

http://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/products/7373841/

Datesheet

 

[bcaskey08]

Hey, looks like we are neighbors, , ie: carlsbad

what the heck is an alley light?

Yeah! I'm off poinsettia

And alley lights are something that cop cars have so they can illuminate things on the right and left sides of their vehicle. They are great for picking campsites, and setting up!

 

[scottryana]

Only problem is if you want to have them on at the same time.

 

[bcaskey08]

One switch to do all those functions is going to add complexity as it means adding diodes and/or relays to isolate each light from the other. First you should determine the max load and size the switch appropriately or relays will be required to handle the load. Visually the switch in the second link doesn't appear to be heavy duty enough. I would use two switches that don't require a blank to mount but just a small hole. You can mount them just about anywhere in the lower dash or on the console in front of the shifter.

I'm leaning towards the two independent switches for simplicity. Except NLXTACY's switch seems like a good option.

 

[TrickyT]

These are what I'm looking at

http://img.bhs4.com/d7/0/d70c078e2320d93c4c72010f021fb072dddca915_large.jpg

https://www.bpbsurplus.com/xcart/images/D/2035-0209a.jpg

I think you are confusing "4-way" and "4-position". The toggle switch in the first link you posted is a 4-way switch, and the second link is a (very unusual) 4-position switch. "4-way" refers to controlling a load from three or more different switches, just like the common 3-way switches you find at the top and bottom of a stairway in your home. I.e., you can turn the stairway lights on or off from either the switch at the top of the stairs or the bottom of the stairs. But it is only a single load (one light or series of lights wired in parallel) that is switched.

The 4-position switch, at least the one you linked to, is some kind of military surplus switch that uses a bank of microswitches to sense the four positions. Those microswitches could not switch enough amperage to directly run a light bar, so you'd need a set of relays too.

This Wikipedia article explains 3-way and 4-way switches: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multiway_switching


EDIT: Add wiki link.

 

[2fpower]

Clap on.... clap off... the CLAPPER..

 

[98 SNAKE EATER]

i have mine wired to the console switches.

The rear/upper switches are independent Left and Right alley lights.

The front/lower switches are for the front bumper lights and front rack lights.

 

[vegansbane]

Go big!

Top left is the master relay sending power up to the roof, the 4 on the outside of the diamond are independent sides, rear, and forward (light bar), with the center being a single switch for red on the sides and rear (not forward)

5-way light switches and master

• vegansbane
• Jan 14, 2015

...along with multiple USB sockets, a lighter outlet, pressure gauge for my OBA (since...

White Floods Spots Pre-lightbar

• vegansbane
• Jan 14, 2015

Red Floods

• vegansbane
• Jan 14, 2015

Relay Box

• vegansbane
• Jan 14, 2015

This is the first version of my relay box - it's getting a rebuild shortly, into an ammo can.

 

[Dave 2000]

Go big!

Top left is the master relay sending power up to the roof, the 4 on the outside of the diamond are independent sides, rear, and forward (light bar), with the center being a single switch for red on the sides and rear (not forward)

5-way light switches and master

• vegansbane
• Jan 14, 2015

...along with multiple USB sockets, a lighter outlet, pressure gauge for my OBA (since...

White Floods Spots Pre-lightbar

• vegansbane
• Jan 14, 2015

Red Floods

• vegansbane
• Jan 14, 2015

Relay Box

• vegansbane
• Jan 14, 2015

This is the first version of my relay box - it's getting a rebuild shortly, into an ammo can.

Great stuff, pretty much how I think, I would not put them on all at once though, no need to confuse pilots flying overhead.

 

[bcaskey08]

Go big!

Top left is the master relay sending power up to the roof, the 4 on the outside of the diamond are independent sides, rear, and forward (light bar), with the center being a single switch for red on the sides and rear (not forward)

5-way light switches and master

• vegansbane
• Jan 14, 2015

...along with multiple USB sockets, a lighter outlet, pressure gauge for my OBA (since...

White Floods Spots Pre-lightbar

• vegansbane
• Jan 14, 2015

Red Floods

• vegansbane
• Jan 14, 2015

Relay Box

• vegansbane
• Jan 14, 2015

This is the first version of my relay box - it's getting a rebuild shortly, into an ammo can.

Wow! That set up is exactly what I am trying to produce minus the red LEDs! The only problem is that I still have/ want a stereo in the stock location. Do you have more info on those selectable color LED's?

 

[bcaskey08]

I think you are confusing "4-way" and "4-position". The toggle switch in the first link you posted is a 4-way switch, and the second link is a (very unusual) 4-position switch. "4-way" refers to controlling a load from three or more different switches, just like the common 3-way switches you find at the top and bottom of a stairway in your home. I.e., you can turn the stairway lights on or off from either the switch at the top of the stairs or the bottom of the stairs. But it is only a single load (one light or series of lights wired in parallel) that is switched.

The 4-position switch, at least the one you linked to, is some kind of military surplus switch that uses a bank of microswitches to sense the four positions. Those microswitches could not switch enough amperage to directly run a light bar, so you'd need a set of relays too.

This Wikipedia article explains 3-way and 4-way switches: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multiway_switching


EDIT: Add wiki link.

I'm not trying to get into micro switches whatsoever. And the whole 4 way- 4 position difference is much clearer. Thanks.


What is the consensus on relays? Are they necessary for a 30w 7in led bar? I know they are needed for medium and large bars due to the high current but some installers use them and some don't on little bars and sets of pods.

 

[vegansbane]

Wow! That set up is exactly what I am trying to produce minus the red LEDs! The only problem is that I still have/ want a stereo in the stock location. Do you have more info on those selectable color LED's?

Sorry, not selectable - the white and reds are separate emitters. They're 10W each, and I originally picked up the whites from superbrightleds.com for $35 each, but I'm pretty sure you can find them elsewhere (like Amazon/ebay) now - and cheaper. I don't recall where I got the reds, maybe xkglow.com? They were around the same price.

The square ones are the whites, the rounds are reds:

2 White 1 Red

• vegansbane
• Jan 14, 2015

Lights on the passenger rear corner of the rack. Note the red flood is angled forward due to...

Driver's POV side floods

• vegansbane
• Jan 14, 2015

Red floods at night

• vegansbane
• Jan 14, 2015