Hi.

You can find these @ Rat Shack in the home alarm section (or at least you used to). Switch & magnet sold as a pair. Should be able to mod it to workee...

Cheers
Bubba

 

Thanks again! LED lights are a spotlight. In the instance that you are describing, one would need a flood light instead of a spotlight. There is not enough distance inside the console for the LED's to flood properly, to cure this they went on the lid. Not to mention if you all are anything like me, the console is full of paperwork and CD's, and more than likely they would block the light. Rockpick, did you have this problem with your old truck?

I cannot argue this point, other than I read it in a wiring diagram. Only thing that I could think of is you got 12v coming out of the cig lighter to a resistor, then the power steps down to around 3v. By placing the switch on the 3v side of the circut, you've got less of a chance for an overload (you'll know what i'm talking about when you see the size of the switch) Other than that, no reason.

 

Good point. I guess the only way they'd work down on the bottom would be on the back end or the front and angled slightly down. Not to mention they'd have to have a wide viewing angle.

Or we could all not be lazy and just put the over head lights on via the switch to the left of the steering column. But then again if driving at night in a dark area and you don't want the intrustion of the entire cab getting light, then this would be the perfect solution.

Duke

 

RP,
There is about 3/8" of space between the inner and outer lid.

The only thing that I see being a problem is that the lid is not square anywhere except for the top. these switch to work properly need to rotate on a 2-way vertical axis, not diagional. So if one were to place the switch on the side of the lid, and it to sit in there in a way for it to work properly, well more power to ya. The switch is on when it is horizontal and off when it is vertical (the oppisite of the lid axis). Only other place to stick it would be on top. The wiring would work, but you'll have more of a chance of damage from your elbows, the lid gives away more than you think.

One more point. How many of ya open the lid all the way to full tilt?

 

Yea, I pondered this point about 2 hours into the install...

 

Ehh... I disagree. But, then again, you haven't seen my console stuffed full of towels and other 'stuff'. I'd MUCH rather have the light up high -- maybe one beneath the lip for some extra 'oompah' inside the console.

That's EXCELLENT. I'll dredge those out of your gallery... that will be MOST helpful! Thanks man!

 

Will that one work with a 12v application? A quick search on Radshack's site reveals only a couple of hits for 'Reed'... none of which are switches.

 

Hi.

Yes, they're just switches - no problems in the intended application.

Actually, any place that sells DIY alarm stuff will carry them - and also some places that carry the X10 stuff as well. Try Home Despot, Lowe's, etc?

Cheers
Bubba

 

As usual, I guess I'm a tad confused. Write that one down -- it's so rare. LMAO...

I think I understand what you're saying here -- that being that, unless you lift it to a full tilt, you may not get the effect of the magnetic field on the switch?

To combat that, you go with a NC switch that, while the magnet is near the switch, the circuit is off. Remove the magnet and the circuit is on. ?

One more consideration... I put my wallet in the console frequently... any risk for the magnet to interfere with credit cards w/ magnetic strips?

 

Thanks bud! One quick question...

NO wouldn't be as clean because why?

 

Hi.

Aha! Another reason to go with the Hg solution . Seriously, I guess there could be a risk depending upon proximity. I just inadvertently wiped my corp gas card by putting it in my shirt pocket along with my (magnetic) clip-on sunglasses... jeez, bonehead move, in hingsight.

As for the reed switch position: put the magnet up front near the latch, and the reed below in the base. This way, soon as you even begin to crack the lid, the circuit will close. If you can't find a N.C reed, then you can use a simple relay to do it.

Cheers
Bubba

 

x2, or just use a plunger that you never see anyways, that is unless you put your face inside the console...

 

This magnet probably has some 'juice' to it to work the switch, eh? Pretty strong, I'd assume.

The reality of zapping my credit cards - namely my company card - seems pretty real if so...

 

I did a similar mod... originally used that little red or black-tip PB from radio shack but recently replaced it with one of these:
http://cgi.ebay.com/SELECTA-SWITCH-S...QQcmdZViewItem

It works much better (the old one didn't have a long enough barrel to tighten through the plastic trim.)

Here's the lamp I used:

I attached it with Velcro, so I could pull it down and use it like a "corded flashlight" if necessary...

 

Ahhh... but plungers are so... so...... so 1980's

You're right, of course - whatever you are comfortable with.

Me, I'm into needless, gratuitous CoMpLeXiTy

Elegance helps too. With a name like Bubba ( formerly known as Grog,) who woulda thought, eh?

Cheers
Bubba the Windbag