Dimmer Switch for Auxiliary Lights

scarletbegonias · **Posted:** Wed Jan 14, 2009 7:20 pm

Does anyone know if a dimmer switch for auxiliary lights is possible?? And if so..who makes em?
Getting a set of KC HiLiTES 516 and wiring them for the on/off toggle option (not auto-on)
It would be incredibly beneficial if I could control their brightness for various situations.

nightdrv · **Posted:** Wed Jan 14, 2009 7:32 pm

Just head down to a radio shack and go look in the parts bins.. There should be a couple drawers full of switches. It'll look like a bunch of toolbox's. A radial dimmer switch shouldn't be more than $5.

scarletbegonias · **Posted:** Wed Jan 14, 2009 9:00 pm

Does the wiring between the dimmer and the on/off switch have to be spliced or anything?

Diggerfreek · **Posted:** Wed Jan 14, 2009 9:07 pm

how are you wiring your switch? Are you going complete the ground with the switch or use the switch on the B+ side? If going with the B+ side, just install the dimmer inline between the switch and lights.

scarletbegonias · **Posted:** Wed Jan 14, 2009 9:30 pm

Diggerfreek wrote:

how are you wiring your switch? Are you going complete the ground with the switch or use the switch on the B+ side? If going with the B+ side, just install the dimmer inline between the switch and lights.

eeeyheyeeheyeeheyeeheyeehee..what? lol

Diggerfreek · **Posted:** Wed Jan 14, 2009 9:44 pm

just put the dimmer on the switched power side of the switch

KJ 119 · **Posted:** Wed Jan 14, 2009 9:46 pm

Pretty sure your going to need a 12V. DC dimmer switch based upon the wattage you're looking to dim @100%.
Interior light?-might find at Radio Shack
Full rack of KC's?-Gonna have to order
They make'm in 120w.10a.,240w.20a,and360w30a. from 65$ to around 120$
Size your dimmer correctly.

Bub

scarletbegonias · **Posted:** Thu Jan 15, 2009 3:08 pm

they're a set of two lights..55-Watt, here:
http://www.amazon.com/KC-HiLiTES-516-55 ... 88&sr=8-39

so what kind of dimmer would I be looking for? I'll probably shop for this online. And would have I have to have a seperate on/off switch or can the dimmer do everything?

KJ 119 · **Posted:** Thu Jan 15, 2009 5:13 pm

55.w+55w.=110w. so the 120w. dimmer is sufficient.Ifyou plan on adding two more in the future than go with the 240w.
If not just get the 120w.
Shouldn't need a seperate on/off switch.Most dimmers click at 0%
This one looks good.
http://www.sailorsams.com/mall/dimmers-ilvpc.asp

BTW Good idea.Might be stealing it in the future.
Bub

rescu2000 · **Posted:** Thu Jan 15, 2009 9:58 pm

Here's a trick if you just want a HI/LO setup.
Hi = Wired in Parallel (I'll explain below)
Lo = Wired in series

When you wire two lights in parallel, each will get full power (55 watts for example). When you wire them in series, each light gets 1/2 (about 27 watts).

To wire in parallel - Each light has a hot run to B+ and a ground run to ground.
To wire in series - Light one has the hot run to B+ and the ground from Light one runs to the hot on light two. (The hot on light two gets power from the ground on light one... do NOT hook the ground from light one to a ground location.) Then the ground from light two gets grounded to the chassis (or B-).

You can make this setup selectable with a DPDT relay (Double pole, double throw). You can even wire it up so that your high beam headlights turn your KC lights on high.

Double pole double throw relays have two switches inside so you can wire them several ways. I will show a how the switches are wired below (as best I can)

..................................................................0-----GROUND
................................................................./
........Ground from light one (black) ------0

..................................................................0----------------------------
........................................................................................................|
........................................................................................................|
...................................................................0------ B+ (battery hot) |
................................................................../.....................................| Wire these two poles together
........Hot from light two (red or white)-----0.....................................|
........................................................................................................|
....................................................................0----------------------------

When the relay is powered up, the switches change to the other poles (the '/' is the switch). It then makes the series circuit. When no power goes to the relay, the switches make a parallel circuit.

Just make sure that your relay can handle the amperage. Shouldn't be an issue.

Dimmer Switch for Auxiliary Lights

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