[elcaminodragster]

I would like to wire a light to come on by way of a toggle switch. How would I do that???

Do I run a wire from the light to the switch. Then from that same connection run to the fuse box. And put the ground wire on the other connection from the switch???

Using the ground to turn on the light is what I'm after.

[302 Z28]

What are you working on? GM cars use a system that switches the ground.

Vince

[Lee Phillips]

Pick the size of the fuse according to the wire size. For #16 wire, limit yourself to about 5 amps. For #10 wire, you can go to 30 amps. You can use an inline fuse, one of the pare fuses inthe fuse block, an aircraft-type ciucuit breaker, whatever you want. Just use one.

DO NOT run the wire without a fuse direct from the battery, unless you LIKE fires.

Decide if you want to be able to turn the light on and off only if the ignition is on, or if you want to be able to run the battery down by inadvertantly leaving it on......

Find a place in the fuse block that says either "always hot"; or "radio" (or something like that) that is switched by the key.

Run a wire from the fuse block to the light (typically the center lead of the fixture). Run another wire from the fixture to the switch you are installing. Connect the other side of the switch to ground.

Note:

This will only work if the light fixture (holder) is not automatically grounded simply by installing it: there HAS to be 2 wires coming fom the fixture that you can connect to.

Good luck with that.

[elcaminodragster]

Originally Posted by 302 Z28

What are you working on? GM cars use a system that switches the ground.

Vince

I'm working on my buddys 70 c10. all he wants is a light in the cab that he can turn on by way of a switch. He has the light fixture and the toggle switch. It has on wire coming out of it. So I'm assuming it self grounds.

I'ts not the factory light fixture its some after market thing. How would I wire it so that it uses a toggle switch???

[302 Z28]

If it only has one wire coming out of it I will assume that by mounting it to metal (car body) that will ground it. The wire coming out of the light will go to one side of the switch. The other side of the switch should go to a fuse that is located either in the fuse panel or other source of 12 volts.

Vince

[elcaminodragster]

Okay thank you. I wasnt sure if I need to add a gournd wire or not. Thank you.


What size fuse would you recomend??? 5amp 10amp???

[302 Z28]

Originally Posted by elcaminodragster

Okay thank you. I wasnt sure if I need to add a gournd wire or not. Thank you.


What size fuse would you recomend??? 5amp 10amp???

If the only thing on that circuit is the interior lamp a 5 amp will be fine.

Vince