Wiring a push button with toggle switch to replace keyed ignition

[Nick79]

I am wanting to wire a push button and toggle switch to replace the current keyed ignition but not sure on how to do so. It is on a Country Clipper zero turn. There are 7 wires going into the back of the current ignition switch and I'm not sure where they all should go.

Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks
Nick

 

[joshuabardwell]

A wiring diagram for the ignition switch would be best.

Do you mean to replace the ignition entirely, or just add a starter button? If the latter, then all you need to do is identify the starter wire and use a normally-open switch to put 12v on it when closed. Key goes in the ignition, key gets turned to "run", button is used to start. Key is turned off to kill the engine.

If you mean to replace the ignition entirely, your situation gets more complicated, since you need both start, stop, and run positions. Maybe a three-way switch that springs to center, with up being "start" and down being "stop" and center being "run". But then you've always got the mower in "run" and accessories can run down the battery. So maybe a "stop/run" toggle switch and a "start" button would be best?

 

[DT86]

So maybe a "stop/run" toggle switch and a "start" button would be best?

The way I read it that was what he had in mind.

 

[joshuabardwell]

The way I read it that was what he had in mind.

I see. I missed that in the original post.

Seems like that would be relatively easy to wire up. The ignition switch is probably set up so "off" opens some number of circuits, "run" closes them, and "start" closes the starter, in addition to the other circuits. So it's just a matter of using a multimeter to pinout the ignition switch and figure out which should be open and which should be closed in "start" and "run", and then getting a N-pole switch, where N is the number of circuits, and wiring them up accordingly, then running the starter through a momentary button.

 

[Nick79]

View attachment WIRE DIAGRAM2.pdf

I uploaded a wiring diagram for the current key switch. I am wanting to use a toggle switch to turn off the engine and a push button to start it and do away with the key start. Im not sure tho what to do with all the wires so everything still works like the hour meter, engine oil switch etc. I am terrible with trying to figure this stuff out.

hope this explains better what I'm wanting to do.
Any help would be great.

 

[DT86]

All I see for the picture is the broken link icon, when I click on it all I get an error message. ??

 

[RickB]

If you can't read the schematic save yourself a bunch of aggravation and buy an OEM key switch and replace yours. Plug and play. Otherwise you probably will end up paying somebody to fix the mess you cause.

 

[Nick79]

View attachment WIRE DIAGRAM2.pdf

Try viewing it now.

 

[JohninCT]

You can do what you want to do but it will take two toggle switches and a momentary start button. Look on your diagram at the switch contact table and this will tell you what you need. You need one toggle to make contact between wires connected to terminals G +M (switch "ON"). This will ground the engine ignition and stop the engine. When this switch contacts are open (switch "OFF") the engine can run.

The second toggle needs to make contact (switch "ON") between wires connected to terminals B+L. This allows battery charging and hour meter to run and probably headlights too.

The starter button (momentary "ON") needs to make contact between wires connected to terminals B+S. This brings 12V power to your starter solenoid to crank the engine.

You could arrange the toggles so that both toggles throw in same direction at the same time (one "ON" and one "OFF"). This would be the equivalent of the OFF and RUN positions on your key switch.

Whew! All that being said... those 5 terminal lawn tractor ignition key switches are sold at TSC, NAPA and other auto parts stores and are cheap! You would save yourself a whole bunch of time and probably money too if you just got yourself a new key switch and just plugged it in.

Good luck.

 

[MikeInEburg]

And make sure the toggles have that appropriate level of weatherproofing. I agree with others, it's just too inexpensive to consider anything g but an OEM replacement.

 

[Nick79]

Let me tell you the reason I'm trying to get away from the ignition key switch just so you guys don't think I'm crazy. I am paralyzed from the chest down. I have almost all movement of my arms but non in my hands at all. I cannot turn a key to save my life. This is the reason I'm wanting to put a push button to start the mower. I can control everything else, but I can't start the darn thing without the help of others.

 

[RickB]

That certainly puts a different light on the situation. I hope some suggestions from others here will be helpful.

 

[DT86]

You can do what you want to do but it will take two toggle switches and a momentary start button.

Couldn't he use one "double pole double throw" switch instead of two?

 

[JohninCT]

Couldn't he use one "double pole double throw" switch instead of two?

Yes a DPDT switch would work. Good suggestion.

Normally a DPDT connects two commons to two different circuits (eg 12v + and - hooked up to common 1 and 2 to provide or remove power to circuit 1 and 2).

See attached drawing
http://www.musicfromouterspace.com/analogsynth_new/ELECTRONICS/pdf/switches_demystified_assembly.pdf

For Nick's mower he could just use 4 of the 6 switch terminals. Connect battery 12v + (wires on existing switch terminal B) to terminal C. Connect ground (wires on existing switch terminal G) to terminal E. then connect existing switch terminal wires M (magneto) to terminal D and existing switch terminal L (alternator) to terminal B. New switch terminals A and F remain unused (no wires connected).

With this arrangement, toggle down would be "engine OFF" position. Toggle up would be "engine RUN" position. Momentary start button would still need to connect wires from existing terminal B (run a short jumper from new switch terminal C) and terminal S.

Make sense?

 

[Nick79]

Sounds good. I went to get me a DPDT switch but I can't find any at the local auto parts stores. I will order one off Internet I guess. Thanks to everyone on your info. I will let everyone know how it goes when I get the switch.

Thanks again.
Nick

 

[AceBoy2786]

Hi, Old thread but exactly what I'm looking for, however, I do have a question On my ignition switch (Ariens 46" 2012 Riding tractor/mower) the key has all the regular (G, S, M, L, B) settings but also has A1 and A2. according to the pdf the switch does this: off-G+M, Override - B+A1, Run - B+A1 L+A2, Start - B+S+A1, I understand your DPDT switch config and believe it to work (Haven't gotten any farther than research at the moment) but my question is if I was to get rid of the second "run" position and just keep the "Override" one would I just omit the L+A2 or would I have to connect the L with the B+A1?

21547944G.pdf <- is the parts manual with the wiring diagram in my onedrive folder if you need to reference it

Nick, You get yous done how'd it turn out?

 

[AceBoy2786]

Well, since I didn't get a response I'll assume this is dead, however I'll post what I did now that it seems to be working.
This way when someone googled it and only finds this page usefull like I did the whole answer will be here.

Dpdt switch
Common a - battery + also jumper to push button common lead
A1 (switch up) - mowers A1 lead, also a jumper to push button switch led positive
A2 (switch down) - no connection
Common b - ground also to push button switch led ground
B1 (switch up) - no connection
B2 (switch down) - magneto

Push button
Common - battery positive from dpdt switch
Normally open - to mowers starter wire
Normally closed - no connection (capped off)
Led+ - to dpdt switch as stated above
Led- - to dpdt switch as stated above

Mowers "L" & "A2" connections were not made

All connections were made to tractor by taking un-insulated spade connectors and crimping to wire then pushing into factory switch receptical, then tape it up to keep secured this way nothing "factory" was altered and everything is FULLY reversable.