How to wire a regular switch to be On-On

[mladen]

The question is in the title really, but to add more context. I'm using the regular headlight switch for the kit but for the high/low beam toggle (kit comes with an On-On toggle) I'd like to use a custom billet button, but they only come in the On-Off variety. Is it possible, and if so, how, to wire a regular switch instead so that it switches between low and high beams.

[narly1]

Not possible with just one on/off switch. But if you used it in series with a single pole double throw switch that would work. Put you fancy billet switch on the dash to globally control the headlight on/off function and then a second old-school foot switch (like the one below) on the floorboard to toggle between low and high beams.

176775

Earl

[BrewCityCobra]

The question is in the title really, but to add more context. I'm using the regular headlight switch for the kit but for the high/low beam toggle (kit comes with an On-On toggle) I'd like to use a custom billet button, but they only come in the On-Off variety. Is it possible, and if so, how, to wire a regular switch instead so that it switches between low and high beams.

You can do it with a relay. Just wire the outlet of the billet switch to the trigger terminal (86), wire the fused headlight feed to the (30) terminal, wire the high beam to the 87 terminal and the low beam to the 87a terminal. That way when the switch is ON, the relay will be triggered and the power will output from the 87 terminal (e.g., powering the high beam) and when the switch is OFF the relay will not be triggered and output from the 87a terminal (e.g., powering the low beam).

This only works if your switch not momentary though.

[JeffP]

If you use a switch that has both normally open and normally closed, you wire the low beams to the NC and high beams to NO so then it toggles between the two. These are pretty common on amazon in all styles. I ordered a set of these for my build. https://billetautomotivebuttons.com/products/22mm-headlight-symbol-billet-push-button-switch-high-beam
They're in AU, but I had them at my door in 4 days from order.

[MisterAdam]

If you use a switch that has both normally open and normally closed, you wire the low beams to the NC and high beams to NO so then it toggles between the two. These are pretty common on amazon in all styles. I ordered a set of these for my build. https://billetautomotivebuttons.com/products/22mm-headlight-symbol-billet-push-button-switch-high-beam
They're in AU, but I had them at my door in 4 days from order.

I have used these! Excellent company, quality is good as well as delivery
176781. 176782

[Dave 53]

You can even have custom buttons made. I had the OIL FAN button custom made. It manually turns on my oil cooler fan. The center button turns on the hazards. The custom made Burning Man button plays Electronic Dance Music, shoots flames out the exhaust then I give you a hug.176783

[narly1]

OK, I ill ammend my reply to say that yes you can use a simple off/on switch in conjunction with a relay to toggle between high and low beam BUT one or the other will always be on UNLESS you do something else to disconnect the power to the headlight relay. This could be as simple connecting it (the relay) to switched 12V, so whenever the key is on the headlights are on.

I mistook the original post to be asking if the switch could be made to function as off-low-hi which of course it can't.

Earl

[JeffP]

OK, I ill ammend my reply to say that yes you can use a simple off/on switch in conjunction with a relay to toggle between high and low beam BUT one or the other will always be on UNLESS you do something else to disconnect the power to the headlight relay. This could be as simple connecting it (the relay) to switched 12V, so whenever the key is on the headlights are on.

I mistook the original post to be asking if the switch could be made to function as off-low-hi which of course it can't.

Earl

I think he was suggesting the normal headlight switch will still be used - that controls lights on/off, then he wanted a billet switch to control high/low vs the toggle FF ships. This is how i set mine up.

[Papa]

I did mine using the headlight switch to turn the headlights on/off and then an on/off switch to control the high/low via a relay. The on/off switch can be a momentary switch if it's a latching type.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=126719&d=1587241103

[Papa]

Another option is to get the Ididit dimmer relay.

https://www.jegs.com/i/Ididit/535/3100006040/10002/-1?gclid=Cj0KCQiAqOucBhDrARIsAPCQL1aWvZygeI6Z0-S49irF-hrJoH9_OaqSQLGUC9FTlkSr9jLfgDGqfu0aAspjEALw_wcB

This will work with a standard push button (non-latching) on/off switch.

[Railroad]

Here is what I used on T Bucket hot rod. Worked well.

https://www.speedwaymotors.com/Speedway-Universal-Headlight-Switch-with-Hi-Low,41767.html

I think the knob is held on with a set screw, allowing a change to a custom or matching knob for your dash.

good luck,

[zee]

I did mine using the headlight switch to turn the headlights on/off and then an on/off switch to control the high/low via a relay. The on/off switch can be a momentary switch if it's a latching type.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=126719&d=1587241103

This is the correct answer. With a 5-pin relay, you can do two circuits (normally-open and normally-closed). Your switch can then drive the relay. A cheap relay is fine, you don't need IDIDIT.

An on-on switch will typically have 6 terminals (DPDT), so you can control two circuits. You can use it for cool stuff, let's say to switch from main to reserve fuel pump. You can also use it for headlight low/high or other uses.

[Papa]

I mentioned the Ididit relay because it supports a non-latching momentary switch like the one Russ puts in his turn signal setup. It also gives you flash-to-pass when the headlights are off. If you don't care about those features and can't find a latching switch you like, you can use a latching relay instead. Lots of ways to do what the OP was asking.

[mladen]

Thanks everyone for the explanations and details. I already have some relays on order so this will work great. Incidentally, YouTube just recommended this video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W2Mr2Zgv1Ck) to me, a day late, because it perfectly explains using a relay to switch between two circuits :)

[zee]

[delete]

[JJK]

deleted

[Papa]

Wouldn't an off-on-on toggle work instead of using the relay? something like littelfuse 55093. off - low beams - high beams

That's an option if you want to replace the headlight switch. Just be sure the switch can cary the load for the headlights. OP wants to use the headlight switch and a specific momentary switch to control the high/low beam instead of the toggle provided in the kit.

[Windsor]

Something wrong with just running both filaments when you want "high beam" mode?

If not, just install your on/off switch that feeds off of the regular headlight switch, when "on" it throws juice at the high-beam filaments as well.

(assuming the switch can handle the current load, of course, otherwise a relay is involved)

[John Ibele]

Not possible with just one on/off switch. But if you used it in series with a single pole double throw switch that would work. Put you fancy billet switch on the dash to globally control the headlight on/off function and then a second old-school foot switch (like the one below) on the floorboard to toggle between low and high beams.

176775

Earl

I did this with a stomp switch on my dead pedal for a toggle, and have the momentary high beam wired to the end of the RT turnstalk through a relay to handle the current. Works well.