how to make a12 volt switch lit in off postion

I assume this is a 12v DC light, right? I know you can buy regular household wall switches with internal lights. I installed one in my bedroom. And a regular wall switch (non-lit) will work on a 12v circuit, I've done that as well. But whether the internal light in the lit-model switch will come on with the 12v, I have no idea. You could buy one and try it.

Connect the leads to the small switch light to both switch contacts. When the switch is off the large ceiling light will act as the ground and not come on because the small light uses only a small amount of current.

Buy a cheap motion detector battery operated light. Velcro it to any convenient place.

I think what you are asking for is the switch itself to be lighted in the off position?

There are lighted 12 volt switches like this one: lighted switch It's not LED though.

I'm not sure if there is an equivalent in LED or if you can convert one to LED (probably).

Next question is if you can find one the same style as the one you have now, especially if it is in a multi-gang switch plate. If needed, you could always mount a single switch beside the existing one.

Google "illuminated 12 volt RV switch" or "lighted 12 volt RV switch" and see what it available.

I assume you need continuous 12 volts at the switch to do this. In other words, power would need to run to the switch first, then to the light and not power to the light, then to switch. It would depend on how the factory did the wiring. An illuminated switch at 12 volts doesn't work like one in a house. In a house, an illuminated switch has a neon bulb that is connected across the switch contacts and runs in series with the light that the switch controls.

dgdekoekkoek3 wrote:
on my main switch panel by the door i have a ceiling light switch that i would like to be lit in off position , so when you enter the trailer at night you can easly find the switch. thanks

While it could be done by simply adding a small 12V bulb or LED across the switch terminals it in general might be a bad thing to do..

The switch when closed (ON) shorts out the bulb or LED and allows max current to flow through the light fixture bulb but no current to flow through the LED or small bulb at the switch.

The switch opened (OFF) allows current to flow through the LED or small bulb at the switch. At the same time the same amount of current will flow through the light fixture bulb but since it is so small of a current the fixture bulb does not light (LED fixtures "might" however glow dimly).

However having even a LED or small light bulb burning all the time when the light switch is in the Off position will draw down your battery in short order. This is often an issue when boondocking (no commercial power camping) or if you are storing your camper without commercial power.

I would simply recommend a small LED flashlight if you are boondocking or even one of those fake flickering LED tea candles that you could leave on when you are going out for the evening.

If you are camping with shore power then just by a small LED night light and place it in an outlet near the switch..

Here is a 12V DC lighted toggle switch from Radio Shack that will do exactly what you want. It is not the only one they have, just an example of what is available.

lighted switch from radio shack

I use my phone flashlight app. It provides light in all kinds of situations besides when entering the rig. :)

Of course if you don't have your phone with you... :(

dgdekoekkoek3 wrote:
on my main switch panel by the door i have a ceiling light switch that i would like to be lit in off position , so when you enter the trailer at night you can easly find the switch. thanks

Most any 12 volt lighted switch will work. Just connect your power source to the load side of the switch. Use the power in for the load. That will provide power to the internal light in the off postion. The switch will still light your ceiling light, but the internal light will always remain on. The problem with this is obvious.

We addressed this issue in our fifth wheel by adding a small battery operated light with a built in motion detector and photo cell. When we open the door after dark the light switches on. As soon as we turn the lights on it turns off. While it does operate on AA batteries, It's been using the original batteries for more than two years.

Use a DTSP switch lighted or non-lighted (If non-lighted, add a small pilot light) use the N.O. (normally open) contacts to switch the light, and the N.C. contacts to switch the pilot light or illumination of the switch.

Other option is to put a 12VDC accessory relay in parallel with the switch and use the NC contacts on the relay to switch the lighting...

I will post a diagram if interested....

Go to Radioshack and buy a 12 volt LED indicator:
LED indicator


Install this near the switch and wire it directly across the switch terminals. LEDs are polarity sensitive, so if it does not light, reverse the wires. This only draws 15 milliamps (0.015 amps).