aux light toggle switches

[millard]

I got a coupla switches at Maplins today to fit some cheap spots I bought from Halfords.
The spots are 55w each so I need to know if these switches will take the current.
As I'm doubtful, I also got a coupla 40A relays.
So, the tiny wee switch on the left says

2A 250VAC
5A 125VAC

The big one says

6A 125V

S'cuse me ignorance here, but if I'm running these through relays am I right in thinking that the switch only needs to run enough current to switch the relay and not the actual current needed for the lamps?

If so, how much current will the switch need to handle?

My schoolboy electrickery tells me that at 12v and 110w the lamps should draw under 10 amps so I'm confident that the relay is fine but I'm not sure how to work out how much the switch needs to be able to handle.

I'd like to use the smaller one if poss coz it'll take up a lot less room mounted up near the grips somewhere.
Cheers
millard

yeah yeah I know, me keyboard does need me dinner cleaning off it, I'll get round to it, sometime.

 

[BTBR]

You are correct, the relays will be fine.

As for the switch, if you have it so that it switches the signal feed from the OEM light unit to the relay then you will be fine.

Not to sure how long a non waterproof switch will last though

Oh.....dont forget the 10a in-line fuse on the feed from the battery to the relay.

 

[andyclift]

I recently fitted a neat little handlebar switch for aux. lights. It is a good match for BMW electrics and cost about £10. A local no make dealer got it for me in 24 hrs and I think he found it in the Motrax catalogue.

Hardly worth friggy about with car switches

 

[Les Wassall]

I always have stock of these as well, £12 each.

 

[andyclift]

I always have stock of these as well, £12 each.

Yes. That's the one I bought.

 

[AndyW]

How the hell did you find those switches on the BikeIt website??!!......not listed under 'switches' and I can't see them anywhere else

millard - you can waterproof toggle switches:

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=2348&doy=search
See image below (I presume they do the rubber covers for the larger toggle switches as well)

 

[millard]

thanks everyone for replies so far

"You are correct, the relays will be fine.

As for the switch, if you have it so that it switches the signal feed from the OEM light unit to the relay then you will be fine.

Not to sure how long a non waterproof switch will last though

Oh.....dont forget the 10a in-line fuse on the feed from the battery to the relay.
"

So I take a feed from the headlight to the toggle switch then the lamps will only come on when the headlight's on? which is what I want.
Then the feed from the battery via an in-line fuse to the other side of the relay and then off to the lamps?

"millard - you can waterproof toggle switches:

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?...348&doy=search
See image below (I presume they do the rubber covers for the larger toggle switches as well) "

Andy
That's more or less how I was thinking of going about it, it's what my Road King had for the spot lamp toggle switch. Didn't realise that maplins had em though so I'll take a trip back there tomorrow.

Les
Thanks also. I have something like that on my old Norton but I wanted something very small for this as I'm thinking of tucking it into the left side handguard somewhere so I can flick it on/off without removing me hands from the grip.

cheers folks

 

[andyclift]

Check out http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=128863

It shows the Motrax/Bikeit switch right next to the hand grip (where I put mine)

 

[millard]

Check out http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=128863

It shows the Motrax/Bikeit switch right next to the hand grip (where I put mine)

Thanks for that Andy, it's so neat that I didn't notice it when I looked at your post earlier.
I'll reconsider.
Cheers
millard

ps

Quell temps fait-ill oujourd'hui a Nice?

Il fait tres bloody froid a Hamble mate.

Hoping to move to St Maxime next year, can't wait

 

[spin]

hella DE's (HIDs) switched

millard

did you fit the toggle switch from Maplin and has it lasted?
I am considering doing the same with a set of HIDed ff50s & may add an LED.

I would welcome any words of wisdom.

#Spin