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SilverHoot · 07-14-2011, 04:50 PM

I see all kinds of 12V switches for sale. They are usually toggle/ or rocker type. Will a regular household 110V light switch work for 12V switching?

Minno · 07-14-2011, 05:18 PM

Yes

Chris

RickDavis · 07-14-2011, 05:27 PM

Some of the 50's and early 60's trailer used them in the 12 volt systems and i have used them in some added circuits

SilverHoot · 07-14-2011, 06:00 PM

Thanks Chris and Rick. I thought so. There was a switch on the ceiling as you entered my 67 that I think probably was for 12V lights. Since I tore it apart prior to checking I thought it best to be sure. Bet it is a bad idea vice-versa though.

eubank · 07-14-2011, 08:04 PM

That household-looking switch runs the light over the galley area. It's double-switched, so for the switch above the door to work, the switch at the light itself has to be on, too. It's mighty handy if you wind up coming back to the rig in the dark.

Lynn

Quote:

Originally Posted by SilverHoot

Thanks Chris and Rick. I thought so. There was a switch on the ceiling as you entered my 67 that I think probably was for 12V lights. Since I tore it apart prior to checking I thought it best to be sure. Bet it is a bad idea vice-versa though.

SilverHoot · 07-15-2011, 06:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eubank

That household-looking switch runs the light over the galley area. It's double-switched, so for the switch above the door to work, the switch at the light itself has to be on, too. It's mighty handy if you wind up coming back to the rig in the dark.

Lynn

Thanks for the info!
Too late now, mine is now wired to turn on the ceiling lights...when I get them

RickDavis · 07-15-2011, 07:23 AM

The switch in my 61 located in the ceiling slightly to the right of the door is for the main ceiling 120 volt lite.

Possibly by 67 they had gone to all 12 volt lights.

eubank · 07-15-2011, 07:39 AM

Yep, you're right. There are no high-voltage lights in the 67. The only things run by the 110v. system are the converter, the AC, the 110v. outlets, and the fridge (if switched to that setting).

Lynn

Quote:

Originally Posted by RickDavis

The switch in my 61 located in the ceiling slightly to the right of the door is for the main ceiling 120 volt lite.

Possibly by 67 they had gone to all 12 volt lights.

HiHoAgRV · 07-15-2011, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SilverHoot

I see all kinds of 12V switches for sale. They are usually toggle/ or rocker type. Will a regular household 110V light switch work for 12V switching?

I spent a few years designing switches and can confirm the 110v switches, although they will usually work, will fail sooner than they are supposed to when used on 12v...be prepared to only get, say 5,000 cycles instread of, say, 10,000

My '63 has the same switches for 12V as the 110V lighting...

Minno · 07-15-2011, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SilverHoot

Bet it is a bad idea vice-versa though.

If you mean using a 12 volt switch for a 110 VAC circuit, it depends on the switch. In general, you're right. But there are some switches out there sold as 12 VDC switches, that if you read the specs, are rated to switch 110 VAC circuits as well.

Chris

RickDavis · 07-15-2011, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HiHoAgRV

I spent a few years designing switches and can confirm the 110v switches, although they will usually work, will fail sooner than they are supposed to when used on 12v...be prepared to only get, say 5,000 cycles instread of, say, 10,000

..

I hate it when a switch fails after only 5000 cycles