rocker switch problems - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

DyerCamaro · 01-23-2011, 12:22 PM

im trying to connect a 3ft led strip to light up my grill. i have a red wire from 12v source to switch then wire to positive on led strip the i have the negative led wire grounded. With this setup the light is very dim. if i bypass the switch and just twist together the 2 positives wires the led is nice and bright. the switch is a little rocker switch i was given by AAC why isnt it working? i have another switch just like it which i tried. same thing. please help

The Stig · 01-23-2011, 01:03 PM

You need to ground the rocker switch. There should be (3) spades on the back of the switch. One connected to the 12v , 2nd connected to the LED , 3rd is grounded.

Because you haven't grounded the rocker switch the 12v source is powering both the LED strip and the rocker switch LED

DyerCamaro · 01-23-2011, 02:21 PM

when i was doing that nothing would light. i might need a better ground than what i chose. Will try again and post if all goes well

DyerCamaro · 01-23-2011, 03:02 PM

ok. the led is ground. and the switch is ground. 12v to the top prong of the switch, middle prong to LED and bottom to ground. the switch lights up nice and bright, led doesn't light at all.

DyerCamaro · 01-23-2011, 03:16 PM

ok figured it out and of course it was as simple as a fix as could be. I guess i had bottom and top of switch upside down. 12v goes to top silver prong, not brass. Bottom Brass prong goes to ground. Middle Silver prong to LED. Looks great nice and bright.

The Stig · 01-23-2011, 03:37 PM

Glad to see that you figured it all out. Yea when I first installed my rocker switches I did the same exact thing.

rtcat600man · 04-03-2011, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DyerCamaro

ok figured it out and of course it was as simple as a fix as could be. I guess i had bottom and top of switch upside down. 12v goes to top silver prong, not brass. Bottom Brass prong goes to ground. Middle Silver prong to LED. Looks great nice and bright.

Thanks for posting this up. I am NOT an electrician by any means, and was hoping someone would have posted this exact information. Now I know too..........

01-23-2011, 12:22 PM	#1
DyerCamaro Tom, Jen and Atlas Drives: 2011 IOM 1SS/RS Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: mandeville,la Posts: 218 View My Garage	rocker switch problems im trying to connect a 3ft led strip to light up my grill. i have a red wire from 12v source to switch then wire to positive on led strip the i have the negative led wire grounded. With this setup the light is very dim. if i bypass the switch and just twist together the 2 positives wires the led is nice and bright. the switch is a little rocker switch i was given by AAC why isnt it working? i have another switch just like it which i tried. same thing. please help __________________ Beauty is Power; A Smile Is Its Sword - John Ray

01-23-2011, 01:03 PM	#2
The Stig knows 2 facts about ducks Drives: ...and they're both wrong Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The HMS Invincible Posts: 25,072 View My Garage	You need to ground the rocker switch. There should be (3) spades on the back of the switch. One connected to the 12v , 2nd connected to the LED , 3rd is grounded. Because you haven't grounded the rocker switch the 12v source is powering both the LED strip and the rocker switch LED __________________

01-23-2011, 02:21 PM	#3
DyerCamaro Tom, Jen and Atlas Drives: 2011 IOM 1SS/RS Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: mandeville,la Posts: 218 View My Garage	when i was doing that nothing would light. i might need a better ground than what i chose. Will try again and post if all goes well __________________ Beauty is Power; A Smile Is Its Sword - John Ray

01-23-2011, 03:02 PM	#4
DyerCamaro Tom, Jen and Atlas Drives: 2011 IOM 1SS/RS Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: mandeville,la Posts: 218 View My Garage	ok. the led is ground. and the switch is ground. 12v to the top prong of the switch, middle prong to LED and bottom to ground. the switch lights up nice and bright, led doesn't light at all. __________________ Beauty is Power; A Smile Is Its Sword - John Ray

01-23-2011, 03:16 PM	#5
DyerCamaro Tom, Jen and Atlas Drives: 2011 IOM 1SS/RS Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: mandeville,la Posts: 218 View My Garage	ok figured it out and of course it was as simple as a fix as could be. I guess i had bottom and top of switch upside down. 12v goes to top silver prong, not brass. Bottom Brass prong goes to ground. Middle Silver prong to LED. Looks great nice and bright. __________________ Beauty is Power; A Smile Is Its Sword - John Ray

01-23-2011, 03:37 PM	#6
The Stig knows 2 facts about ducks Drives: ...and they're both wrong Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The HMS Invincible Posts: 25,072 View My Garage	Glad to see that you figured it all out. Yea when I first installed my rocker switches I did the same exact thing. __________________

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
1st and 2nd gear problems. 1SS 6M	jnm2003	V8 and V6 Transmissions / Driveline (6L80 / 6L50 / TR6060 / AY6)	7	10-29-2019 12:22 PM
Need Help with starter disable hidden switch	wjmeyer	Camaro DIY & HOW-TO instructions & discussions	7	04-06-2013 06:40 PM
Help w/ toggle switch for Halo's	erk5000	Cosmetics and Lighting Modification Discussions	0	09-14-2010 01:06 PM
help! led valet switch screwed in..how to restore to stock?	CamaroCorvetteFerrari	Audio, Video, Bluetooth, Navigation, Radar, Electronics Forum	5	03-14-2010 12:44 PM
Consolidated Toyota Recall/Safety thread	Rallysport	General Automotive + Other Cars Discussion	382	03-01-2010 05:42 PM