Need help with switch for ROPS lights.

bandit67 · Dec 6, 2004

OK all you electrical gurus out there.

I recently installed some inexpensive automotive fog lights on my ROPS for nighttime work (they work great /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif). The switch that came with the set is a small lighted On/Off rocker switch, with three 1/4" tabs on the back. 1 tab is for battery power, 1 for power to the lights, and 1 is a ground wire - I'm assuming to ground the lighted part of the switch only, as there is another ground wire that comes directly off of the lights.

I want to replace the standard switch with a heavier duty, moisture and dust resistant On/Off rocker (toggle won't work, as it's location will subject it to accidental switching, breaking, etc.). It looks like those outdoor type rockers are not lit (which is fine), and the one I think I need as a replacement has only 2 tabs on the back - 1 for main power, and 1 for power to the lights. The ground wire from the original lighted rocker will go unused with the new switch, I assume?

Am I right to assume the new 2 tab switch will work fine, and that the lighted switch's ground wire no longer needs to be used?

The reason I'm asking is I'm not able to return the new $13 switch if I'm wrong and it doesn't work with the setup.

jjcc246 · Dec 6, 2004

Your right. Just power from battery on one side of the switch and power to the lights from the other. Lights should be self grounding on the Rops. If you feel better hook up the loose ground to a ground but it won't do anything.

teddydo · Dec 6, 2004

I agree, don't worry about the ground with the new one. It was for the light in the rocker on the original one. Luck be yours.....teddy /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

JerryG · Dec 6, 2004

Autozone has a 20-amp toggle with a rubber boot. I have been installing them in my new overhead console. I will find out how they work, but they seem to be a good switch and sealed at the toggle.

Youare · Dec 6, 2004

I used one of those rubber booted toggle switches for a work light I installed a few years ago on my ROPS. They cost a few bucks more but you don't have to worry about water getting into the switch.

I was worried about accidental bumps of the switch but it hasn't happened yet.

Randy

bandit67 · Dec 6, 2004

Good, it looks like I'm on the right track. Thanks for the replies.

Those rubber booted toggles are much easier to find, but I mounted my switch on the fender where the switch for the auto-engage 4x4 switch would be (since I don't have that option). There's no way I wouldn't end up breaking the toggle off the way I hop on and off in a hurry all the time. Ever catch your shorts on one of those fender mounted levers as you're jumping off? /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif Unfortunately, I did that at least once a week during the summer. Now I have a big winter coat to get hung up on one of the levers - it's already happened in the first snowstorm of the year. I figure a toggle mounted there would last all of 2 weeks. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif A heavy duty rocker should be able to take a bit more abuse.