Help me Better understand Wiring LEDS?

[Rob816]

Ok i wanna put some LEDS in my 93 explorer 4x4 on the inside of the cab under the Dash on the drivers side and passenger Side.im sorta Confused...First i wanna get power is the ciggerette light would that be a good constant 12v?or where would be the easiest spot to tap into a power source.I will be using this Toggle switch here and i need a better understanding

http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/we...Toggle-Dorman_5760009-P_N3063D_A|GRP2020A____

Ok there are 3 prongs..Load,Ground and Power,

Im guessing the power would be where ever i find a 12v Source at.ground is where ever i wanna ground it to..what is load?

Someone just give me a better understanding on how to go about this thanks guys...

 

[Rob816]

Can i get a 12v source power from the Ciggerette lighter Wires??

 

[Blacksheep Josh]

I don't see why you couldn't use the cigarette lighter as your source... but I wouldn't. It's constantly on/powered so if you forgot to turn the switch off it'll just keep draining and draining, but leds draw milliamps I think so it wouldn't drain the battery... unless it sat for a few days.

As for the "load", I have no idea. There's a LED god on this website, his handle is "MustangP51" I think, something along those lines. He'd be able to tell you in a heartbeat whats up with them.

Quick search of his handle gave me one of his many LED threads. Hope this helps: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums//showthread.php?t=217551

 

[Rob816]

I don't see why you couldn't use the cigarette lighter as your source... but I wouldn't. It's constantly on/powered so if you forgot to turn the switch off it'll just keep draining and draining, but leds draw milliamps I think so it wouldn't drain the battery... unless it sat for a few days.

As for the "load", I have no idea. There's a LED god on this website, his handle is "MustangP51" I think, something along those lines. He'd be able to tell you in a heartbeat whats up with them.

Quick search of his handle gave me one of his many LED threads. Hope this helps: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums//showthread.php?t=217551

That pretty much answers my question if the Ciggerette light would be a power source.i have read his Threads..Very nice..Just wanna get Something done to this Stock Explorer..just bought a 1,600$ Speaker system for it (actualy paid 50$ for it) its nice having a buddy work at a car audio place..tried installing them tonight it was getting dark Ran out of day light when i relized i was gonna have to cut out a little bit for the Speakers to be mounted!...looking to start spicing up my explorer!!!!..So im looking towards any small mods i can get that are Cheap at the moment!..LED's are one of them since i have alot laying around

 

[Blacksheep Josh]

It kinda sounds like the LED's you have are out of the ordinary... I would think if you use just the power and ground with the right resistors on the power side for each you'll be fine.

 

[Tony H]

The switch. Put the 12V to the center leg. then to the LEDS from either of the other legs. when the switch it in the 'UP' position for ON then you will need the wire to the LEDS on the Bottom.

LED's you cannot run 12V to one lead on the LED and the other to Ground, you need a resistor to ground. the value of that resistor determines the brightness.

 

[freetodragdoors]

the load is what you want to turn off and on with the switch