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nadkaw1957's avatar
nadkaw1957
Explorer
Jun 04, 2017

Exterior light indicator

If you're anything like me, you've gotten up in the morning to discover that you've left your exterior light(s) on all night. And while you might not worry about battery drain with such a small draw, it can be annoying to neighbors.

I had some 12V leds in various colors laying around, so I wired them to the switched side of my light switches and voila.

  • Lynnmor's avatar
    Lynnmor
    Explorer
    Jun 04, 2017
    Z-Peller wrote:
    Details on wiring please. Since LED's are on switched hot wire did you have to bring ground wire from somewhere to LED's?


    Yes, you do.
  • nadkaw1957's avatar
    nadkaw1957
    Explorer
    Jun 04, 2017
    Z-Peller wrote:
    Details on wiring please. Since LED's are on switched hot wire did you have to bring ground wire from somewhere to LED's?


    In my case, both hot and ground were there behind the panel for all the lights. I just tapped into the ground for the cathode side of the LED and attached the anode side to the switched connector on the appropriate switch.
  • Z-Peller's avatar
    Z-Peller
    Explorer
    Jun 04, 2017
    Details on wiring please. Since LED's are on switched hot wire did you have to bring ground wire from somewhere to LED's?
  • Lynnmor's avatar
    Lynnmor
    Explorer
    Jun 04, 2017
    nineoaks2004 wrote:
    Neat idea, wonder why the manufacturers didn't think of it ?


    It might cost a nickle?

    Another idea is to install lighted switches. I replaced the water heater switches with lighted ones so that I can see at a glance if they are on.
  • nineoaks2004's avatar
    nineoaks2004
    Explorer
    Jun 04, 2017
    Neat idea, wonder why the manufacturers didn't think of it ? Thanks for sharing and happy camping

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