Switches and Switch Wiring?

[Krayziekid]

Hey everyone. Got a couple of quick questions for you about switch wiring. I am an absolute newbie when it comes to electrical, so these might be dumb simple questions. The switches I am using are the "dual LED" OTRATTW switches. They are meant to be wired in a way that so that the lower half will always be lit up, and the top will be lit up when it is on. I understand that I need to simply make a small jumper from the power to the LED pin on the back to get the top LED to light up. But what about the bottom? I would love if they came on when the parking lights were on. I would prefer to leave stock wiring though. Could I tap in to this wiring another way? Perhaps via a fuse? If so, how?

My other question is about wiring multiple switches. I currently have a single LED Bar on my 4Runner, but that is going to change eventually. I want to have every light on it's own switch, but I think it would be cool to have them all wired to one switch as well in case I wanted a lot of light at once (and cause it'll look awesome). Is that even possible? Can you wire a light to a switch, and then make jumpers from every switch to a single switch?

Finally, where else are people running switches? I have an 03 Limited, so I only have two spots by my steering wheel, and two spots by my center console. I'd love to leave those for other accessories, and have a separate "switch bank" for lighting. Where else is everyone putting their switches that doesn't require intense modification? Thanks everyone!

 

[KBToys]

Here is the switches i used.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/153949-direct-drop-switches.html

I tapped into to factory switch so that they light up when i turn the parking lights on

 

[BOFFROAD]

I also tapped into a factory switch in order for them to light up so that they would work off the parking lights/headlights and dimmer switch.

 

[fullboogie]

For your light bar switch, I would run a relay rather than wiring directly from battery-to switch-to lights. Use a common Bosch relay (Autozone, etc.) to handle the power end of things, then use the interior switch as the trigger for the relay. Sounds complicated, but it is really simple. Maybe someone has a diagram they can post - I just have it in my head.

 

[Krayziekid]

For your light bar switch, I would run a relay rather than wiring directly from battery-to switch-to lights. Use a common Bosch relay (Autozone, etc.) to handle the power end of things, then use the interior switch as the trigger for the relay. Sounds complicated, but it is really simple. Maybe someone has a diagram they can post - I just have it in my head.

Oh I have the LED bar already wired with a relay and everything. I am just trying to figure out how to get the LEDs on the switch to work because there are two. There were three wires on the original switch, but I replaced it with my own Contura V Rocker. I have the two required wires attached. I know two need to be jumper-ed together and grounded. The last pin is supposedly meant to attach to a "dimmer circuit" to come on with the dash lights. That's what I am confused about. I think I can use a fuse tap and run a wire from the TAIL Fuse (cause it only get power when the parking lights are on) and run that to one switch and jump it to my 2nd switch to get both to light up. But then all of that leaves me with a random wire from the wiring harness that I guess simply doesn't get used....? I guess I just need to play with it. Thanks

 

[S4TA]

Finally, where else are people running switches? I have an 03 Limited, so I only have two spots by my steering wheel, and two spots by my center console. I'd love to leave those for other accessories, and have a separate "switch bank" for lighting. Where else is everyone putting their switches that doesn't require intense modification? Thanks everyone!

I'm interested in answers to your second question. I only have 3 switch blanks (1 left of steering, 2 in console) and no clean spots to add holes.

I was thinking it would be cool to have some kind of custom printed switch bank to replace my sunglasses holder on the ceiling. Need someone with time on their hands and experience in SolidWorks.

 

[Krayziekid]

I'm interested in answers to your second question. I only have 3 switch blanks (1 left of steering, 2 in console) and no clean spots to add holes.

I was thinking it would be cool to have some kind of custom printed switch bank to replace my sunglasses holder on the ceiling. Need someone with time on their hands and experience in SolidWorks.

There is a thread somewhere where a person did exactly that, although it wasn't custom 3D printed. He bought a 6 switch panel (which was just a bit too small) and sort of epoxied it where the sunglass holder is. It looks clean as hell, but at the same time, I feel like wiring is gonna be a pain in the butt to run. I would love to take out the useless storage spot by the cup holder and put a switch bank in there, but then I would be worried about my drinks hitting them. Gotta figure out some other options in terms of locations.

 

[fullboogie]

Man, I'm sorry - I misunderstood your post.

 

[Krayziekid]

Man, I'm sorry - I misunderstood your post.

Hey no worries dude!

 

[sr3tlaw]

My issue is having a dual lighted DPDT switch where only the selected switch position is on