Spotlights (Courtesy & Switched)

[richs3]

Hi all. I've gone through most threads in this section but don't find an answer to my specific question, apologies in advance if it is covered elsewhere.

I'm in the process of wiring spotlights in the back of the van, replacing the original lights. I want the lights to operate courtesy ie off doors but also a switch to turn on all lights with door shut. I have non-LED originals (ie 3 wire config) and have wired to the (BCM) live and BCM switched ground, then also added a switch (SPST) to the permanent ground. Operates as I hoped, but when I operate the switch it also turns on the front lights as the BCM ground is clearly being grounded.

I was going to upgrade to a DPDT switch to stop this, but I quite like the fact all the lights come on the one switch. My concern is that I cause issues elsewhere by running this configuration. My guess is that there isn't a great deal else running off this switched ground, but thought I'd call on the vastly superior knowledge on this forum.

Thanks in advance.

Rich

 

[Deaky]

Hi all. I've gone through most threads in this section but don't find an answer to my specific question, apologies in advance if it is covered elsewhere.

I'm in the process of wiring spotlights in the back of the van, replacing the original lights. I want the lights to operate courtesy ie off doors but also a switch to turn on all lights with door shut. I have non-LED originals (ie 3 wire config) and have wired to the (BCM) live and BCM switched ground, then also added a switch (SPST) to the permanent ground. Operates as I hoped, but when I operate the switch it also turns on the front lights as the BCM ground is clearly being grounded.

I was going to upgrade to a DPDT switch to stop this, but I quite like the fact all the lights come on the one switch. My concern is that I cause issues elsewhere by running this configuration. My guess is that there isn't a great deal else running off this switched ground, but thought I'd call on the vastly superior knowledge on this forum.

Thanks in advance.

Rich

As long as you've used the same gauge or bigger cable on you're new permanent ground connection then you have nothing to worry about.

 

[richs3]

Thanks for the sanity check. Fortunately the only cable I had lying round was heavier than the standard so I'm all good.

 

[voltswagon]

Would you be able to doodle a quick diagram of your switch wiring & were the led fit in?

I can get my leds on courtesy easy just not sure how I wire in the 3 way switch.

 

[Deaky]

Would you be able to doodle a quick diagram of your switch wiring & were the led fit in?

I can get my leds on courtesy easy just not sure how I wire in the 3 way switch.

Red/black wire to +ve on your new lights.
-ve on new lights to common pin on switch
Brown/red to position 1 on switch (on with doors)
brown to position 2 on switch (on with switch)

 

[voltswagon]

Red/black wire to +ve on your new lights.
-ve on new lights to common pin on switch
Brown/red to position 1 on switch (on with doors)
brown to position 2 on switch (on with switch)

Legend thanks