Grounding Toggle Switches

Checkride

I need some electrical knowledge to answer a couple questions.

My setup is:
My power reducer (48v to 12v @ 30amp) will provide power to a distribution box and on to 5-12v toggle switches that has a separate pop breaker for each(the tips of each toggle is lighted). I have a ground bar to ground 12v stuff back to. I assume how I wire one toggle will be the same for all.

Question 1: Can the ground of each toggle switch be daisy chained toggle to toggle and a single ground from the last toggle back to a ground bar or do I have to run a separate ground for each toggle back to the ground bar??

Question 2. I have a Master Toggle to turn the power reducer (48v side) on and off. What kind of resister do I need to go through for this setup.

Thanks for any input and ideas.

BGW

__________________
This advertising will not be shown in this way to registered members.
Register your free account today and become a member on Buggies Gone Wild Golf Cart Forum

dougmcp

Question 1: Can the ground of each toggle switch be daisy chained toggle to toggle and a single ground from the last toggle back to a ground bar or do I have to run a separate ground for each toggle back to the ground bar??
You can daisy chain the grounds from your toggle switches. Note: Nothing on an electric cart gets grounded to the frame, it all needs to terminate on a negative battery connection.

Question 2. I have a Master Toggle to turn the power reducer (48v side) on and off. What kind of resister do I need to go through for this setup.
You don't need a resistor on the master if you are just supplying 48v to the converter. Don't forget to fuse it accordingly.
I used a 30 amp 48v relay for $4.00 and wired it to the ignition switch so the converter comes on with the ignition.
Here's the relay: https://www.jameco.com/webapp/wcs/st...0001_611928_-1

Checkride

Thanks Doug, I knew not to ground to the frame. I just didn't know how the ground flowed through the toggle switches i.e. if the ground was interrupted as well as the power and if it was Best Practice.

Spawn

We daisy chain the lighted toggles all the time in boats. It cuts down on the clutter under the dash. We could have 30 switches all chained together. All they are doing is running that small light so there isn't enough amps to cause a problem. I would run a good ground to each accessory item you have switched. I would go to a marine parts store and use a good heat shrink spade connector or ring terminal to cut down on moisture related corrosion also some liquid electrical tape after you make those conections.

BLakeside

If the toggle to the voltage reducer is lighted you will burn out the light in the handle unless it is rated for 48v. Some switches have a seperate power terminal for the light but most don't.


Barry

Checkride

I didn't think about that. How about if I'm going through a relay to the toggle? That should solve that.

Checkride

Thanks Spawn. I have ring connectors and shrink sleeve material. I'll look into the liquid electrical tape. The ground from the accessories, Should that be a separate ground for each to the ground bar or daisy-chain those grounds as well?

dougmcp

No, it won't work that way, you will still have 48v on the switch.
IMO, I would eliminate the master switch idea completely and use the relay I posted above through the ignition switch. The advantage to this is when you have the ignition on you automatically have the 12v accessories on and the safety features like your horn and brake lights will work when needed.

Spawn

Ditto that is the best way.

On the Acc grounds they need to go to the Ground bar not daisy chained. The Acc's all pull diffrent amps and should all go to a good ground.

Checkride

In aviation, when you have alternator failure you switch off all non- essential power to reserve battery reserves. That was my intentions here. Prefer to keep acceesries separate from key switch. What do you think?