toggle switch for signal switch?

[38plymouth]

I've been looking at all of the clamp on turn signal switches and I think they are all ugly and they would look out of place hose clamped to my steering column. Does anyone know if there is a way to use a toggle switch instead? I could easily hide it if it would work. I just don't know enough about how the signal switch works to figure out if I could do it.

[Young Ed]

Electronics are far from my specialty but I would think you could. You would need a 3way switch and a good system of reminding yourself to switch it back. Gotta avoid grandpa syndrome. If the switch isn't up to the load you might have to work a relay into it to handle the power.

[Merle Coggins]

If you are just running turn signals, without incorperating brake lights with them, then it's possible. Just get a single or double pole, double throw (on-off-on) switch. The center terminal would be connected to the output of the flasher. The outer terminals would go to left or right directionals. If using a single pole switch, both front and rear of a particular side would have to go together on the switch terminal. If using a double pole switch, jumper the two center terminals and then you'd have seperate terminals for front and rear signal lamps.

To do it with combination lamps (tail, turn/brake) it would be much more difficult, but might be possible with a bit of electrical inginuity. I'd have to think about it for a while.

Merle

[38plymouth]

I need to use the rear brake lights. They are already dual element bulbs(brake/tails) though if that makes a difference.

[greg g]

I replaced the worn out switch mechanism in my signal switch with a double pole double throw toggle.

If you are not runing through your brake switch, it is a fairly simple wiring deal, but you nees to run auxiliary lamps for the external signals. So instead of ugly inside you might get ugly inside. The set up is very similar to the system early Austins and MGs used,

At the front you can use the parking lamps but you need to change the single pigtail pase for a double. One element for parl lights, and theouther for signals. At the rear you need to add lamps for the signal function. Putting the brake lamps in the equation, muddies the picture as the switch is powered from two sources and the flasher inturupts the circuit on the indicated side when the brakes are lite, and powers it when the brakes are off.

So if you want to isolate the fuctions, you go from power through a flasher,

(you can use double pole but the triple pole will power a dash indicator if you so desire), to a double throw. double pole toggle. One side of the switch will power the right lamps and the outher the left. two wires each side to the lights, and basically you are done. just assure you have ample grounds at the fixtures. You can also power from a switched source so the signals only work when the ign is on, Ignition side of the coil is a handy spot to pick up power, and in line fuse couldn't hurt also 15 to 20 amp should be fine.

[Young Ed]

Jim sent me directions on how to build a magic box that will allow the use of my factory 3wire turn signal switch and allow me to have brake and turn signals in the factory housings. It requires 2 relays and 2 flashers. I would think this same device would allow the toggle switch to work.

[Jim Yergin]

Ed,

Fifteen years ago I built the "magic box" following the plans I sent you and installed it in my uncompleted car but never tested it until today (didn't have the lights wired up and the electrics in place until now). Remarkably it works fine. Nice when that happens.

Jim Yergin

[TodFitch]

Here is a link to a schematic for setting up relays to allow you to run your brake lights from both the three wire turn signal switch described in other posts and the brake light switch:

http://www.ply33.com/Repair/turnsignal