switch wiring question

[91stranger]

Ok before everyone starts blasting me for this here is the run down. I know a lot about electronics and switches and stuff like that. I've wired up a lot of car audio, speakers, amps, fog lights, LED's, ground effects, and neon lights. So I am very familiar with this stuff but this one switch has me baffled. I bought these cheap LED fog lights that mount on a motorcycle for my ATV. The lights have two wires coming off each one. The switch however has 3 wires. No big deal if it was illuminated but this is a NON-illuminated rocker switch. So I don't see what the third wire is for since there isn't a light on the switch. I took the switch apart and there is a brown wire, black wire, and a black/white wire. brown looks to be the battery wire, solid black gets 12v when switch is on and the black/white wire has 12v when switch is off. Anyone know how to wire this? I can't believe it is stumping me but it is. here is a link to the actual lights I got from ebay.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/LED-U1-Mot...506284?hash=item46710ecdac:g:XxYAAOSwVlVaG3lI

 

[sheltonfilms]

Sounds like a single pole double throw switch. Just ignore the terminal that gets 12v when it is “off”.


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[91stranger]

Sounds like a single pole double throw switch. Just ignore the terminal that gets 12v when it is “off”.


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That's what I was thinking. I figured since its cheap china stuff where the switch is used for a million different things. I just want to thorough and make sure. I just never seen one like that so it through me off.

 

[Dirtman]

Says right in the description the lights have both hi and low beam function... one 12v out is going to be low, one is going to be high. The switch is a double throw, how it operates is a mystery only you can solve.

 

[91stranger]

Yeah they have high and low and flash. you pretty much turn the switch on and off to go to each setting. kind of like a flashlight with multiple settings. But the switch is a stand on/off rocker switch. That's what's threw me off since it is not illuminated. All three wires are 12v and the one is a 12v wire when the switch is turned off. So it makes no sense to me other than to not use that third wire.

 

[Dirtman]

Or just go grab a normal switch...

This is why I despise buying wiring "kits". They always just throw in the cheapest components they have laying around.

 

[91stranger]

Or just go grab a normal switch...

This is why I despise buying wiring "kits". They always just throw in the cheapest components they have laying around.

normal switch wont work on a handlebar or else I would just do that. I like how these mount directly onto the handlebar and the switch is close to wear my hands are while riding. I pretty much got them for the price and I don't like how my headlights are mounted to the body of my quad. I like at least a spot light mounted to the handlebars so the light turns with the handlebars. Makes trail riding in the woods at night a little easier when you can see where you are turning. Price was right. The lights are actually really bright and mount easy. Going to finish the wiring just wanted some input on the switch. Still don't get why there's a 12v wire for the off position.

 

[Curious Hound]

In the electrical world, that is very common. That switch allows you to energize one device in one position or a different device in the other position. If you only want to turn one device/circuit on and off, just ignore the terminal that you don't need. Switches, relays, contactors, etc. Come in many configurations for many uses. If the device you have has extra features, you either ignore what you don't need or get a different device. Very simple.

This message composed solely of recycled electrons. Go green!

 

[91stranger]

Yep I got it figured out now. cheap switch with too many wires.