Possible earth point?

[nikos]

Evening chaps.

In my au1 I have an amp but no hu, so to turn the amp on I use a 12v line to the 'remote' via a switch. Basically until now I had a 12v line going into pin1 of a simple 2 pin switch, and the wire from pin2 went to the amp.

Anyways I bought a new switch with an LED!!!!

The new switch has 3 pins, I attached the diagram. I can't get the switch to close AND have the LED on simultaneously, with only two wires, so I'll need an earth (I think). Anyway the switch is mounted on the panel that holds the de-mister switch, can I just tap into it's earth? I believe the remote wire draws bugger all current so I don't think it'll overload the de-mister switch?

Also if anyone knows which of the 4 wires is the earth :P

Cheers

[Airmon]

Why not run the remote off your cars 12V power source (Cigarette lighter) so that the amp turns on automatically with the Key set to ACC?

[fordon]

this may be stupid on my half,if you have no HU (head unit ?) whats the point of a amp with no HU connected to it ?
shoot me down if u wish :-p

[Airmon]

Originally Posted by fordon

this may be stupid on my half,if you have no HU (head unit ?) whats the point of a amp with no HU connected to it ?
shoot me down if u wish :-p

Its most likely got more to do with the stock head unit not having a remote line to power an aftermarket amp. So by no HU he means aftermarket HU.

[nikos]

No I don't use an hu, just aux line for mp3 player. I don't want to use acc because its easier to make the switch, and I like listening to music when I switch off the car etc.

[XplosiveR6]

Originally Posted by nikos

No I don't use an hu, just aux line for mp3 player. I don't want to use acc because its easier to make the switch, and I like listening to music when I switch off the car etc.

its simple, just pull out the cigarette lighter, and tap into the cable feeding it. A lot easier then making up some tacky switch. Then when you turn the key to accessory's (not necessarily turning the car on remember) it will power on.

[fordon]

k i get ya,
sorry im old fashion,i still use a HU,havent advanced to mp3 ipods yet hehe :-p

[Dauphin]

My current HU has no amp remote signal so I used the power antenna signal wire from the HU instead. Does the same job as it sends a signal even when not in radio mode.

[superroo]

This is how 3 pin switch's, as per your new switch


That is for a negative earthed system. If you used a positive earthed system (ground switching) then you couldn't get the led to work.

The earth is only used to turn the led on, and is not needed for the switch to work as per normal.

As for earthing using demister switch, i would be hesistant only because of the way BEM turns things on. Much safe just to wire the earth to a bolt (perhaps a 10mm one that is behind the side panel of the dash on the drivers side : )

Cheers

[nikos]

XplosiveR6 and superroo I think I'll combine your advice. I know I need the earth to run the LED so maybe I'll grab that from the cig lighter, as it will never be used otherwise.

Cheers fellas