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OT Wiring question - but probably useful to know

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Hi guys - I need to gin up a headlight switch for the Capri race car.

Can I use something like this?

31YYuUXn6AL._SL500_AA300_.jpg


20 AMP @ 12 Volt - S.P.S.T., Heavy Duty On/Off All Metal Toggle Switch with Two Screw Terminals

https://www.amazon.com/JT-Products-2653J-...7000&sr=1-1
 
Should work fine, unless you are running really killer headlights. 20 amps @ 12 volts means it can control up to 240 watts, which would be fine for two 100 watt (or less) headlights plus a few tail lights.

If you are going to add a pair of driving lights, though, I'd use a separate switch for them.
 
Thanks Randall.

Any problem with running much lower amp draws through it (separate switch, not same on as lights) such as wipers? Overkill, but having a higher capacity switch won't cause problems at a low draw will it?

I have this idea in my mind of having several toggle switches like this on the dash (complete with old school labels etc...)
 
You have to include one labeled "Eject". :smile:

Running lower current through that switch should not be a problem.

Scott
 
HerronScott said:
You have to include one labeled "Eject". :smile:

Running lower current through that switch should not be a problem.

Scott
Click to expand...

LOL. I came across a couple MGB guys that wired their OD to the Seat Belt warning. Thought that was pretty amusing.
 
Sounds good, Tom, exactly what I envisioned as well. Smaller loads should be no problem either. Extremely low loads (less than one small bulb) might shorten the life of the switch a bit; but I can't see a race car going through enough cycles for that to be a problem. Anything useful (like wipers) should work fine.
 
One more question if I may on the Capri. If I put a relay in the circut does it go like this?

Headlight
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Relay
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Fuse Box
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Headlight toggle switch
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Battery
 
That diagram appears to be for a set of driving lights/fog lights that operate by a switch but only when the low beams are already on.

Is that what you have in mind?
 
You want to relay-control headlights?

Replace the switch (SPST) with the headlight switch and dimmer, ignore green connection to low beam, ignore "low beam" shown.

Leave all wires into and out of h/l switch and dimmer as-is.
Take the output of your dimmer, one lead for "high", one for "low", feed one to high relay coil, one to low relay coil.
Provide fused feeds to input of both relays.
Run outputs to appropriate headlights.

Re-name lamps as "headlamps", just double the circuitry.

Other than changing most of the diagram, yes.
 
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