35 replies to this topic

[Stoney871]

The diameter of the 12v socket alone is 26mm and the outer diameter of the hole on the console trim is 33mm

[vince_13]

excellent thanks, so in theory i can remove the 12v socket and install a switch with an overall diameter of 26mm

best get searching

[Stoney871]

Indeed and good luck.

[vince_13]

hey guys

just juggling ideas through my head, if i was to go with 1 of these switches
http://www.ebay.co.u...=item2a292e23e8
(not a momentary switch obviously)

could i use the existing +12V and ground from the cig lighter for the LED illumination? would this drain the battery when engine not on due to the led drawing current?

[Lenny]

could i use the existing +12V and ground from the cig lighter for the LED illumination? would this drain the battery when engine not on due to the led drawing current?

Yes you can use any earth feed to allow illumination of the led
But in any case the led in the switch will only illuminate when power is flowing to the item your sending power to.

[vince_13]

looking at the pin out on the bottom of the ebay page, it shows a +ve and -ve for the led, i presumed that with those connected it would be light permanently?

[minnis]

I believe that you connect the led +ve and -ve to the power supply, and then whatever you're switching to the other three. Basically, on the three pins at the bottom, you connect these as you normally would. The switch will then function perfectly (minus the led). Wiring the led up to a power source will allow the led to light up when the switch is on (I.e, the switch switches led on and off as well). Hope this makes sense.

[Lenny]

looking at the pin out on the bottom of the ebay page, it shows a +ve and -ve for the led, i presumed that with those connected it would be light permanently?

If it has seperate wiring for the illumination then you could splice it in to the illumination feed for the dash
Then if you dim your dash light via dimming wheel,
Your extra lights will dim too.

[vince_13]

yeh i was going to wire the led in with the operation of the switch i.e when the sub is on the led in the switch is on, and vice versa.

lenny i dont have the dimmer dial nor did i have the illumination wires for the footwell lights so not sure which illumination wires i would tap into,

[Lenny]

yeh i was going to wire the led in with the operation of the switch i.e when the sub is on the led in the switch is on, and vice versa.

lenny i dont have the dimmer dial nor did i have the illumination wires for the footwell lights so not sure which illumination wires i would tap into,

The loom at the rear of the blank switches or the onevfor rear window demister,
Just to inform aswell,
You can purchase a light switch unit with dimmer and straight swap to allow dimming of dash.
Just ensure if you have front fogs that your replacment unit with dimmer wheel also has fogs on it as some don't.

[vince_13]

ahh i didnt know that, this is the unit to the right of the steering wheel, would the wiring already be there for the dimmer switch to work or is that another loom i need to make?

on another note does anyone know if the switch plates just pop out or do i need to take the whole row out?

[Stoney871]

The switch plate needs to come out as the buttons have clips to the rear.



Also if you want a live feed for illumination with the headlights/dash/console hook a splice onto pin 16 numberplate light circuit) on the back of the headlight control switch.
Also if you want a dimming module then it's plun 'n' play, ithe dimmer simply adds a rheostat into the dash light circuit.
Depending on whether you have auto headlights or not, if you want to add a dimmer module thyen these are what you need-

Dimmer module for auto lights-

http://www.ebay.co.u...=item19d7fa6901

I can't currently find a dimmer module for non auto headlights but they do pop up, a C-Max one will also fit but not Mondeo ones (they're a different size unit)

[vince_13]

ok thanks stoney, my current switch doesn't have an option for auto so i presume i don't have it?

[Lenny]

ok thanks stoney, my current switch doesn't have an option for auto so i presume i don't have it?

No mate,
To fit auto lighting you require a replacment rear view mirror which has a built in light sensor on the stalk.
You could fit a dimmer unit with auto lighting option and it would work fine but when switched to auto nothing would happen.

Also to confirm,
If you splice lighting in to the positive feed for the rear reg plate as stoney has said to do.
You will of course get illumination when lights are switched on via the standard control switch.

But if using the dimmer,
Splicing in to the feed for the rear reg plate lighting won't dim the lights you have spliced to their.
Instead if you want your additional lighting to be dimmable;
Splice them to a window demister switch illumination feed at the rear of the centre console switches.

[vince_13]

ok thanks guys, don't think ill go for the dimmer, ill look for 1 without a the auto lol on another note, i had a look at remove center console trim, i just couldn't get the handbrake gaiter off, i pulled and pulled haha