LED toggle switch

[Fullmetal Chocobo]

How would I wire up a LED toggle switch (LED is +12V) to a molex connector so that it controls power to say a +12V fan, and turns on the LED while the device is powered?

I have all of the cable, connectors, and tools I need to create whatever cables I need. I just can't seem to get the damn thing wired up so that it controls +12V power, and turns on the LED.

 

[mechBgon]

You could get a two-pole switch so that when you turn it on, it turns on two separate circuits at the same time: one for the fan, the other for the LED.

 

[bruceb]

Wire it this way:

--------o/ o------+------------to fan (other leg
+12V | of fan to grd
resistor
use about 470 ohms 1/4 watt
|
|
--------?|-------+
Grd LED Cathode Side

 

[Fullmetal Chocobo]

Originally posted by: bruceb
Wire it this way:

--------o/ o------+------------to fan (other leg
+12V | of fan to grd
resistor
use about 470 ohms 1/4 watt
|
|
--------?|-------+
Grd LED Cathode Side

Wow, I had no idea what that diagram was of, until I quoted it. And now I see it perfectly. That's kinda trippy. Anyway, for some reason, I was thinking that it already had the resistor in there (it hasn't burnt up yet atleast), but that makes sense. I'll try that when I get home. (although where would the ground off of the fan be going to?)

 

[bruceb]

Sorry about the bad picture ... but basically
on the Output Side of the Switch put a Resistor
of about 470 Ohms 1/4 W to the Cathode Side
of the LED ... the Anode Side of the LED will
go to Ground ... for the Fan connect it to
the Output Side of the Switch & Ground
You may need to reverse the fan wires if it
spins the wrong way ... other side of switch
goes to the +12V supply

 

[Fullmetal Chocobo]

Originally posted by: bruceb
Sorry about the bad picture ... but basically
on the Output Side of the Switch put a Resistor
of about 470 Ohms 1/4 W to the Cathode Side
of the LED ... the Anode Side of the LED will
go to Ground ... for the Fan connect it to
the Output Side of the Switch & Ground
You may need to reverse the fan wires if it
spins the wrong way ... other side of switch
goes to the +12V supply

I gotcha. I'll try it tonight or tomorrow when I get a chance. Thanks. Didn't think about the resistor, and i have some already to use. 🙂

 

[GalvanizedYankee]

Better fans are generally polarity protected. Don't reverse the fan wires.

This site may be of use, http://led.linear1.org/



...Galvanized

 

[bruceb]

That could be a good point about the fan be polarity protected
If that is the case, just wire it per the wire markings for + & - sides