Keyswitch control of 12V converter on DCS

[npope]

I've got a 36V relay wired through the keyswitch circuit controlling a 12V voltage converter on my 1998 DCS cart (with DCX500 and D&D motor).

This is working great, with one exception.

It would seem that on a DCS cart, the 36V from the battery is wired in series with the interlock switch on the F/R knob. Apparently when switching from FWD to REV, this interlock switch cuts power to the keyswitch in "neutral".

The end result is that my 12V power "blinks" when switching from FWD to REV or vice versa. Not so annoying on the headlights, but it is a little annoying to have power to the radio cut for 1/2sec every time I change directions :(

So, one thought is to put the keyswitch circuit "ahead" of the interlock switch and power the relay off the keyswitch BEFORE the interlock switch. Since the keyswitch and interlock are wired in series, nothing downstream should notice the difference, right? And since I'm powering the relay off the keyswitch before the interlock, my 12V power should no longer glitch when changing directions.

Anyone solve this problem already? If not, does my theory sound correct?

All the wires run back to the controller, so changing the order of the elements in the circuit should not be too bad.

-Nick

[yurtle]

One solution would be to get a three position key switch, which is really two separate switches, and run your 36 volts from the battery pack straight to the switch and relay. A stock 3 position switch isn't too pricey, but I upgraded to a uniquely keyed one, and that costs a little more.