Club Car Light Key Switch

[mdyod]

Hello all,

I have a 1994 Club Car (36V) with Lights that were more or less wired for lights when i bought it. Everything is pretty much ready to go - I'm pulling 12volts off 2 batteries...

I want to run things through the Key Switch with an on/off switch in series (if possible) so that the lights are off of when the key is off but can be turned on/off using a on/off switch when the key is on.

What is the best way to do this? can i just run through the switch? do i need a relay?

Thanks in advance for your help
D

[10507581]

Basically you want your light switch to be ignition controlled?

The ignition key switch, i believe switches 36v... So you won't be able to directly series your 12v headlight switch with it.

Using a multimeter check voltage at the ignition key switch.
Find what wire sends power when the key is on. Whatever voltage that wire reads find a relay that is within tolerance.

Next step is to connect relay.
Voltage output wire when key is the ON position connects to one side of the coil
Common will connect to the other side of the coil
Use a 1 amp diode across coil of relay to protect relay.


series common and normally ooen contacts of relay with headlight switch

Done and done

[mdyod]

Originally Posted by 10507581

Use a 1 amp diode across coil of relay to protect relay.

Could you please elaborate on the placement of the diode?

Thanks

[10507581]

Found this from a frequently used electronics site.

In specfications, but a picture would be nice

http://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/...K8kGGfvh7Dk%3d


However any 24 volt automotive relay should work too.

[Stevegrmich]

. . . or add a voltage reducer/converter to power the lights from the whole pack . . get a reducer that has a trigger wire that is connected to key switch that turns reducer on/off with key switch . . add a rocker/pull switch inline with lights to turn them on/off . . this would accomplish what you want also . .

[mdyod]

Thanks So much for your speedy and helpful advice!!

My cart has this relay already (partially) wired in... REC ld1a-12f (sorry but i cant post the link until ive been a member of this forum for a week - but the specs are available online by googling )

Will it work? I haven't had a chance to check the voltage off the switch but from looking at the cart's wiring diagram, I'm pretty sure that it's 36V coming off the switch...

THANKS AGAIN

[10507581]

Yes.
+ Cathode side of diode ( aka striped side) goes to the positive side of the coil
- anode side of diode ( aka no stripe) goes to the negative side of the coil

So parallel the diode with positive voltage from key ignition switch and common

Kinda like this...

36v from switch twisted together with + cathode side of diode
Common/ ground twisted together with - anode of diode

Connect 36v wire and + cathode to one side of the relays coil
Connect common/ ground wire and - anode to the other side of the coil

The reason for the diode is to prevent an irregular voltage spike when the relay is activated.
It protects any component that may be common with the relay


And I agree with Steve with finding a voltage reducer that has an ignition wire input.

[10507581]

That particular relay is rated at 12v nominal voltage. It can only handle a max continuous rate of 21 volts across the coil :/ you need a 24v nominal voltage relay.vit can handle up to 42 volts at continuous rate, but it's resistance is substantially high at the coil with 200-300ohm

But there is a vast assortment of relays here!

[mdyod]

So - I've decided to order a voltage reducer - better for a lot of reasons - I'll post results later