12 Volt Rocker Switch Installation

Aftermarket devices are installed in a car after you bring the automobile home from the dealership. These devices range from exterior running lights to LCD movie screens for the kids. Most of these devices use a switch to operate the device because they are not powered all of the time. Connect a rocker switch into the main power circuit to turn your device on or off as necessary. These switches are easy to install and require few tools to complete the installation.

Instructions

1

Disconnect the negative terminal on the car battery. Use a 10mm wrench to disconnect the negative battery terminal. Place the wire in a position so it cannot contact the battery posts.

2

Locate the position for the new rocker switch. Use the provided template to trace the mounting hole on the dash. Verify that there is enough room behind the switch to allow for the wires and terminal connections, of an inch should allow the proper clearance. Use a drill to drill a -inch pilot hole. Use an X-acto knife or small saw blade to cut out the mounting hole.

3

Run a wire from the fuse box to an inline fuse. Strip inch of insulation from this wire. Strip of insulation from the inline fuse wire. Wrap the wires around each other to connect them together. Place the soldering iron on the splice for 5 seconds. Touch the solder to the heated splice connection. Keep feeding the solder into the connection until it wicks into the wire strands. Allow the solder connection to cool.

4

Crimp one terminal on the end of the inline fuse. Feed the wire and terminal out through the rocker switch mounting hole.

5

Strip of installation from the aftermarket device power wire. Crimp a terminal on the end of the wire. Feed the wire and terminal out through the rocker switch mounting hole.

6

Wrap all open connections with black electrical tape. Connect the inline fuse to the common terminal on the rocker switch. Connect the power wire to the normally open terminal on the rocker switch. Slide the rocker switch and wires into the mounting hole.

7

Reconnect the negative battery cable to the negative battery terminal.