wiring a switch

[bigtruck94]

I am thinking about putting lights on my toolbox. I got the wire and splice connectors, but I want to wire it to a switch so I could turn them on and off whenever I want to. And I don't know how to do it. I looked in the electrical and misc. forum and didn't find any info of it. If you guys know how to do this, i would be glad to take any tips how to do it.

 

[MastuhWaffles]

Well, you want to make sure you have all the tools and items for this, you can buy a switch of your liking on the internet or a store that carries them. You'll have to cut some holes and pull out some things, if you want the wires to be hidden. And you have to go through the firewall to get to the battery, but thats the easy part. I have a wiring diagram I will post that gives you a general idea of what you need to do. And you can use that as a reference. The short way of saying this is that you'll have wires running from the battery to the switch and to your toolbox. I'll post some pics on how I did my aux lighting. Not sure on the wires you should use, but I'm sure there are some knowledgeble people who do. Also the lights you want to use, thats up to you on how bright or dim you want them to be.

 

[wildbill23c]

Here maybe this will help you.

One wire goes from the battery to a fuse, then to the input or power source connector on the switch. One wire goes from the switch to the load (lights), then one wire goes to ground. Depending on the size of the lights will depict what size wire to use, try to use at least 16 gauge wiring for this, I try to use a heavier duty wire than necessary that way if I decide to add more accessories to that particular switch later I don't have to rewire everything. Also, make sure you run the proper fuse inline with the power from the battery to the switch, I wouldn't go more than about a 15amp fuse, if it requires more than 15amps you should probably look at different lights LOL.

 

[MastuhWaffles]

Beat me to it, lol, anyways I'd also suggest mounting the switch on the toolbox somewhere instead of in the cabin. Leds are good, 10 bucks at walmart will get you some stick on ones.

 

[kimcrwbr1]

If you wire it from the battery make sure it is fused at the battery put rubber grommets where you go through metal and a shield around the wire/s to protect from rubbing. Depending on you application you can get a light/s with a micro switch that turn on automatically when you open the tool box.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/CAR-BIKE-BO...5805?pt=US_Relays_Sensors&hash=item20d00e364d

 

[Schnot]

Could just save some headache and put a tap light in there. Throw a few extra batteries in the glovebox and you're good.


Sent from my iPhone.

 

[DRanger024]

He wants lights ON his tool box, not inside it.

 

[kimcrwbr1]

He wants lights ON his tool box, not inside it.

And

 

[bigtruck94]

Why do you need a fuse to wire the switch to the battery? Im a little confused...

 

[killj0y]

Why do you need a fuse to wire the switch to the battery? Im a little confused...

If something shorts it is your protections from having your truck go up in flames....it happens more often than you think. The Recommended way is how it was mentioned PLUS a relay, but since it will ONLY be a few LEDs you will be fine, just DO NOT throw on any regular or high powered lights on that harness and fuse down the line without beefing up the wiring and adding a relay. A fuse is a must though especially with tiny weak wiring. Also, you want to keep that fuse as close to the battery as possible, in the event of a short, that way only the short distance between the battery and fuse will burn. If you don't want to spend money on a fuse holder you could make your own with some tape and female spade crimp-ons, or buy sopmething like this or this

Also be aware depending on the switch some will have an additional prong that isn't needed. The extra prong will be to light up the switch itself.

 

[PanamaExpat]

Why do you need a fuse to wire the switch to the battery? Im a little confused...

Just as Killjoy pointed out about the fuse... Simply think of the song by the Pointer Sisters... Goes something like this.... I'm ridin' in your car... You turn the radio.... It just blows smoke....

FIRE!

Look man simple DC wiring isn't difficult. Just follow the pointers that have already been given. But if you want to get all Mr. Wizard... Take a car battery and set it on the work bench. Get about ten feet of number ten stranded insulated copper wire. Connect one end to the negative terminal with a pair of Vise grips. Make a loop just smaller than the positive terminal with the other end. Jam the loop on to the positive terminal. Don't forget to have video camera running so we can watch your experiment on the next episode of Jackass.

 

[killj0y]

Just as Killjoy pointed out about the fuse... Simply think of the song by the Pointer Sisters... Goes something like this.... I'm ridin' in your car... You turn the radio.... It just blows smoke....

FIRE!

Look man simple DC wiring isn't difficult. Just follow the pointers that have already been given. But if you want to get all Mr. Wizard... Take a car battery and set it on the work bench. Get about ten feet of number ten stranded insulated copper wire. Connect one end to the negative terminal with a pair of Vise grips. Make a loop just smaller than the positive terminal with the other end. Jam the loop on to the positive terminal. Don't forget to have video camera running so we can watch your experiment on the next episode of Jackass.

Lol I've done that once by accident with a screwdriver, welded the damn thing on! Ha

 

[bigtruck94]

Here is the lights I want to put on the toolbox. Is it too much? http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=9919&stc=1&d=1365003350

 

[wildbill23c]

Those will work just fine with the diagram I gave you. You need a fuse, if you don't then read some of the posts about rangers and bronco 2's burning to the ground due to wiring issues. A fuse is like a dollar, how much is your truck and life worth?

 

[bigtruck94]

I see why you need those now. So like you said, a 15 amp fuse would work right?