TheBeastie Posted July 23, 2007 Share Posted July 23, 2007 Having no electronic security on The Beastie I had wondered about fitting a dummy flashing red LED. There is a hole to the right of the steering wheel that looks about the right size to take one. Got one from VWP today and it has a red wire and a black wire. Umm How can I wire it so that it flashes when the ignition is turned off??? I am sure it cannot be rocket science but then I am not a rocket scientist!!! Any thoughts would be most appreciated. Thanks Malcy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FridgeFreezer Posted July 23, 2007 Share Posted July 23, 2007 The basic solution is to wire the red wire to +12v and the black wire to the ignition switched live, LED's draw so little current (<100ma) that it will ground itself through the stuff that's on the -ve side (EG fuel stop solenoid) without letting enough current past to actually switch anything on. The belt'n'braces approach would be a 5-pin relay that switches on with ignition live, and connect the LED to the normally closed contact so it only gets power when the relay is "off". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest diesel_jim Posted July 23, 2007 Share Posted July 23, 2007 I'm going to have a play at work tomorrow making a circuit that turns the LED on when the ignition is turned off Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LandyManLuke Posted July 23, 2007 Share Posted July 23, 2007 A relay is probably the simplest, most robust solution, especially if you find a relay that only has a small coil current (i've got some micro-relays somewhere that draw a lot less than an auto relay) , not that it particularly matters as it's only energised whilst the engine is on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
western Posted July 23, 2007 Share Posted July 23, 2007 I'm going to have a play at work tomorrow making a circuit that turns the LED on when the ignition is turned off that would be useful, then I could use it to make the red led in my electronic [td5] speedo flash when my 110 is parked up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FridgeFreezer Posted July 23, 2007 Share Posted July 23, 2007 Here you go: Any relay with a 12v coil should be fine, an LED draws naff all current. I'd just use a car one - it's robust, has blade terminals and they're small enough to be very cheap from the scrapyard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
western Posted July 23, 2007 Share Posted July 23, 2007 Cheers Fridge Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mo Murphy Posted July 23, 2007 Share Posted July 23, 2007 Is that before or after you fit it, Ralph :) Mo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FridgeFreezer Posted July 23, 2007 Share Posted July 23, 2007 Remember to use a 12v LED, or put a resistor inline (around 1k) if it's a normal one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheBeastie Posted July 23, 2007 Author Share Posted July 23, 2007 Thanks for ideas The LED is 12v. It is LED607 from Vehicle Wiring Products in the flashing red configuration. I presume the relay is a 5 pin one? Also what sort of wire thickness should I use? Preumably the wires on 85 and 86 need to be a bit more substantial whereas the others can be normal? Also is the triangle with two arrows earth or the LED, or does the LED go on 87? Sorry if this is all obvious to everyone else!! Best wishes Malcy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LandyManLuke Posted July 23, 2007 Share Posted July 23, 2007 The relay must be a 5 pin relay, i.e. it must have both an 87 (NO) and 87a (NC) pin. The wires for the LED can be as small as is practical in a landrover, it draws so little current. The coil also draws little current, something of the order of 1.0mm^2 will be fine. The triangle, Line and arrows is the symbol for an LED, the cathode (negative) is the flat line at the point of the arrow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
western Posted July 23, 2007 Share Posted July 23, 2007 Is that before or after you fit it, Ralph :)Mo not fitted yet, so maybe after, still need the transducer for my gearbox. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FridgeFreezer Posted July 23, 2007 Share Posted July 23, 2007 The relay is a 5-pin type, make sure you get the "changeover" type (as pictured) rather than the "double make" 5-pin type where the 5th pin is just connected to the 87 pin and is "on" when the relay is on. Wire thickness, it's rare I'll say this of any automotive wiring but doorbell wire would be fine for the whole thing - the coil of the relay draws less than an amp and unless it's brighter than the sun the LED probably draws maybe 0.05 of an amp. 0.5mmsq wire will be fine, thicker won't hurt anything but will be overkill and harder to tuck in. The triangle with the arrows is the LED, the triangle end is the +ve (red wire) and the line end is the -ve (black wire). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.