Last Confusing Mod-Electrically Challenged

[Wausau 911]

Done the spoiler and turn signal mods (thx for all the tutorials). Now back to the footwell lighting. I purchased a cheapo lighter connection w/ LED footwell Pods placed in the footwell. I am using the phone wiring for switched power and ground. I have the OEM footwell switch and I know the wiring diagram for it. I don't necessarily care if the switch lights up or not. So which wires fron the lights do I hook up for the ground and witch ones go to the on & off switch poles? To my mind (sometimes useless) I shouldn't need relays for this to work properly. What am I missing?

[Richard Hamilton]

Trouble is, all the switches are momentary contact - they are not simple on/off toggle switches. That's why you'll need something like a latching relay.

I can't remember who created the attached diagram, but I think it was Peter Smith(?), and posted by Tool Pants, many moons ago. Hopefully you will find it useful.

Latching relay for momentary contact switches.pdf

[Loren]

Richard is correct - Sandy actually did a couple of variations later than the one Richard posted.

Here they are and kudos to Sandy please.

FWLrelay01.pdf

FWLrelay02.pdf

[Wausau 911]

Thank you both for responding! So if I get a different switch it should work? Are any of the OEM switches appropriate for a simple on/off application?

[pfbz]

You can also use cheap/simple automotive relays to convert pulses from a momentary switch to a latched output...

Something like this:

These are standard automotive lighting relays... Total overkill for the application as they can handle pretty high current, great for driving lights and such, but they are cheap and readily available for a few bucks each.

Edited August 13, 2013 by pfbz

[Wausau 911]

Pfbz, thx for the above, can I assume I only need one of these relays? My OEM FWL switch doesn't resemble your diagram that I can see ( remember i'am stupid in this regard) so where do my wires go. Thx for taking the time on my project.

[pfbz]

...can I assume I only need one of these relays?

No, you need three relays. My diagram shows how three inexpensive relays can be wired together to make a pulse-latching circuit. The Porsche switch is not shown at all in my diagram.

Your switch would connect to the "[+] Pulse to turn on" and "[+] Pulse to turn off" lines in the diagram. If the other diagrams posted are correct, it looks like switch terminal 1 goes to turn on, 2, to turn off, 3 to 12V power.

But honestly, if this kind of stuff isn't familiar to you, get some help lest you accidentally short/smoke something... If you do it yourself, make sure you pull the correct fuses or better yet remove the negative lead from the battery when doing your wiring and triple check everything before reconnecting power.

Edited August 14, 2013 by pfbz