12v lighting Circuit

[Fuzzy-felt bloke]

Hi

I have installed a solar panel (18w) to charge a 12v battery, which in turn runs 4 low energy bulbs. My problem is wiring them up, I have 12v to a three way switch, another switch (three way) connect to the first switch (L1,L2 and COM) and the lights feeding from between the two switches.

The problem is that the cable from the battery and the first switch gets hot, and when I switch on the second switch it just dims the lights, not switch it off as it should.

Can someone supply a wiring diagram or web site, I've searched the internet but all I get is car electrics or home low power lighting.

Kind regards

Fuzzy-Felt Bloke

[Mike Jackson]

What are you trying to achieve with the lights? All switched at once or individually? If the cable is getting hot it is either undersized or you are drawing too much power. What size fuse are you using in the circuit?

Mike

[Fuzzy-felt bloke]

Thanks for your reply Mike. All four lights are to come on at the same time from either switch (two switches either end of the garage) and it’s just to light a garage, which is not connected to the house. The heating up of the cables would be down to drawing too much power, but from where. The light switches are the normal 240v household item, could this be the problem?
How should I wire a 3 way switch, + into L1, L2 or COM, same with the -.

Thanks

Fuzzy-Felt Bloke

[Dave5xe]

Here is an animated diagram for you,

HowStuffWorks "How Three-Way Switches Work"

Kind regards, David

[Mike Jackson]

The switching should be wired live to com on switch one then L1 to L1 and L2 to L2 followed by com to lighting circuit. Negative will wire straight through. You need to work out the current draw of the lights to choose a suitable fuse by dividing the combined wattage of the lights by 12. This will give you the cuurent in amps and enable you to choose a fuse and correct size cable.

Have a look at VWP - standard cable for an idea of the current carrying capacity of cables.

You'll also find suitable fuses and holders on that site.

Mike

[Fuzzy-felt bloke]

Thanks Mike, the way you described the wiring sounds right, will try tomorrow morning, and report back on progress.

Fuzzy-Felt Bloke

[Fuzzy-felt bloke]

All up and running, thanks Mike.

Fuzzy-Felt Bloke

[Mike Jackson]

Glad to be of help.