Switch for clearance lights

[AtomicNo13]

Make certain to mount said switch outside so annoyed camper neighbors can shut off by themselves! Nobody likes glaring rv lights in a dark star filled night!

[Greg1410]

Wow - lots of great suggestions consider. I will have to think about this for a bit. Thank you all!
Greg

[Greg1410]

Thanks Protagonist. If I opt to go with a switch inside, your suggestion of doing both the blocking diode and switch makes sense to be safe. For the blocking diode - I guess I would try to find one that is for 12V and 15 amp capacity (since my wire is 14AWG)? I found this on ebay - http://www.ebay.com/bhp/schottky-blocking-diodes - but hard time finding a 12V one. Any suggestions?

Also, will I need to run a ground to the switch?

Thanks,
Greg

Originally Posted by Protagonist

That type of switch works.

The main reason I recommended a blocking diode instead is that with the diode, you can't forget to switch on the clearance lights when you plug in the umbilical cable; they come on automatically. A blocking diode combined with a simple on/off switch only on the house side lets you choose whether to turn the clearance lights on when camping, but always have them on when the tow vehicle's lights are on.

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by Greg1410

Thanks Protagonist. If I opt to go with a switch inside, your suggestion of doing both the blocking diode and switch makes sense to be safe. For the blocking diode - I guess I would try to find one that is for 12V and 15 amp capacity (since my wire is 14AWG)? I found this on ebay - http://www.ebay.com/bhp/schottky-blocking-diodes - but hard time finding a 12V one. Any suggestions?

Also, will I need to run a ground to the switch?

Thanks,
Greg

I got the diodes for my toad at my Airstream dealer, Foley RV in Gulfport, MS. I went with the ones they suggested.

You shouldn't need to run a ground to the switch. The switch simply goes in the hot wire at the location most convenient to you; the lights still are grounded normally.

[rmkrum]

Any silicone rectifier or Schottky diode with a 15 amp rating at any voltage above 12 volts will work.

The voltage rating is not an issue. It's all about current when you are picking a diode for this use.


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