I like the Carling Technologies switches as used by ARB and wanted to replace my Override switch and LED for my Redarc with a momentary switch with built in light.
Originally I had this:
I got a momentary action Carling switch from Ian at Custom Rockers with a ‘Start’ Legend. Unfortunately these switches come with two filament bulbs which are no good for the Redarc which needs an LED.
It was surprisingly easy to take the switch apart (two tabs on the ends) I then ended up with a pile of bits on the bench! Luckily it was easy to see how it all went back together The bulbs are in the top part of the switch and the bottom half has four springs that make the connection to the bulb wires. I removed one of the bulbs and found the hole was the exact size to take a 5mm LED. I was able to run the wires as for the original bulb and was able to fit a 1K resistor in the housing as well.
Sorry for the poor quality photo but you can just make out the resistor at the bottom left (blue) – The LED is at the top (I used a white one I had lying around). You can also see the four springs sticking out of the bottom part of the switch.
Once the LED and resistor were fitted I just had to press the two halves of the switch together again and test. Wire up as follows:
Pin 2 – 12V Aux Battery
Pin 3 – Redarc override
Pin 8 – Ground
Pin 6 – Dash Light Positive
Pin 7 Dash light Negative
Works as planned – Light comes on when Redarc energised or when the switch is pressed to override and connect both batteries in parallel.
Sorry this is a bit long winded but thought it might help someone else out.
Now looks like this:
Originally I had this:
I got a momentary action Carling switch from Ian at Custom Rockers with a ‘Start’ Legend. Unfortunately these switches come with two filament bulbs which are no good for the Redarc which needs an LED.
It was surprisingly easy to take the switch apart (two tabs on the ends) I then ended up with a pile of bits on the bench! Luckily it was easy to see how it all went back together The bulbs are in the top part of the switch and the bottom half has four springs that make the connection to the bulb wires. I removed one of the bulbs and found the hole was the exact size to take a 5mm LED. I was able to run the wires as for the original bulb and was able to fit a 1K resistor in the housing as well.
Sorry for the poor quality photo but you can just make out the resistor at the bottom left (blue) – The LED is at the top (I used a white one I had lying around). You can also see the four springs sticking out of the bottom part of the switch.
Once the LED and resistor were fitted I just had to press the two halves of the switch together again and test. Wire up as follows:
Pin 2 – 12V Aux Battery
Pin 3 – Redarc override
Pin 8 – Ground
Pin 6 – Dash Light Positive
Pin 7 Dash light Negative
Works as planned – Light comes on when Redarc energised or when the switch is pressed to override and connect both batteries in parallel.
Sorry this is a bit long winded but thought it might help someone else out.
Now looks like this: