Will this work? 2 separate power/switching leads to LED

[abbra]

In a SmartSiren/Cencom type configuration, where there are multiple relays which are activated by the control head:


Is it possible to have a certain light or set of lights activated by more than 1 switch? I'd like to have the "strobes" activate when the pursuit switch is in the Level 3 position AND have the option of activating them solo when the pursuit switch is not on, using the AUX 1 relay/switch. I attached a picture to demonstrate what I am trying to do. Theoretically this should work? right?


If you "accidentally" had both switches activated, it would just be as if "2" power lines were coming from the same battery/power source.


Let me know if any of you have done this successfully/know what I am talking about

 

[mjMIff]

I thought about doing that.. My H2 Covert is only powered with the ignition and sometimes I would like to be able to turn on my deck/dash LEDs for road blocks or extended runs off the battery alone. The only thing I came up with is putting a diode between the appliance and my H2, then after the diode before the appliance, my switch.

 

[mjMIff]

I should had mentioned the reason I would do the diode is because I have other components attached to my P1 and P2 switches.. I don't want the power back feeding and turning them on as well

 

[C17LVFD]

In both Smartsiren & CenCom... you can program it to do just this... I do this with HLF's all the time... 3rd position turns on white and the HLF... I put the HLF trigger on Aux 1 and tie it into position 3 through the programming... This way I can manually turn off the HLF if I'm running code at night... Same theory with your strobes... Put them on aux 1 and program it in with slide switch position 3... You'll have the functionality you're looking for.

 

[abbra]

Thanks C17LVFD,


In my configuration though, it would only be for powering on the strobes. They would operate with pursuit switch was activated, aux 1 switch was activated, or both. They would only turn off if both switches were off. (I'm not using a "smart" cencom or smartsiren where you could make aux 1 and pursuit switches both the same "virtual switch"- they are independent switches

 

[C17LVFD]

Thanks C17LVFD,

In my configuration though, it would only be for powering on the strobes. They would operate with pursuit switch was activated, aux 1 switch was activated, or both. They would only turn off if both switches were off. (I'm not using a "smart" cencom or smartsiren where you could make aux 1 and pursuit switches both the same "virtual switch"- they are independent switches

Well... That's pretty simple too... Just use a 5 pole relay...


86 - Ground


85 - Trigger - Power from Aux1 (85 & 87 can be tied together)


30 - Power output to strobes


87 - Aux1 power in


87A - Slide switch 3 power in


Someone needs to double check that for me... but that should do the same thing for you...

 

[fp13-2]

There is no need for the relays and all that. You connect the strobes to whatever switch on the Smartsiren you want to use (1-5). Then you program the SS so that when you slide the switch to 3, it activates relay 3, and whatever switch the strobes are on. I currently do this on my POV. HLF and Opticom are on two of the switches. They come on automatically when I enable position 3, but I can turn them off on scene. Also, if I just want the HLF or Opticom, I can enable it with the push button.

 

[C17LVFD]

I'm not using a "smart" cencom or smartsiren where you could make aux 1 and pursuit switches both the same "virtual switch"- they are independent switches

 

[fp13-2]

Reading is for wusses. :lol:

 

[ERM]

If your PS is connected to P3, then you will either need to install a diode on the supply from P3 to the LED light or a relay. This is to prevent AUX1 from back-feeding on the P3 wire and turning on your PS.


Tony

 

[abbra]

If your PS is connected to P3, then you will either need to install a diode on the supply from P3 to the LED light or a relay. This is to prevent AUX1 from back-feeding on the P3 wire and turning on your PS.

Tony

ERM can you explain the diode and why it needs to be there. I think you have it on the money but I'm not sure why you need a diode.


It is correct this is not a "smart" siren it is actually the federal signal 650 remote series siren, so each relay is "dumb" per say-just a simple power on/off switch for each relay/light.


If two switches/relays were connected to the led or strobe light that i am powering, and i flip 1 of the switches on and give it power, is there a problem with that if I don't have a diode?

 

[ERM]

Imagine the wires are water pipes. In your schematic above, you are not showing the PS which will also be connected to P3. If you open valve P3, water will flow down to the LED and PS and also up AUX1. Nothing is connected to AUX 1, so nothing should happen.


If you turn off P3 and open the AUX1 valve, water will flow to the LED and also to the PS and P3. Because nothing happens at P3, we don't worry about it, BUT water is also flowing to the PS. We are trying to only light the LED and not the PS. That is where the diode comes in. The diode is a one way valve for electrical circuits. It only allows electricity to flow in one direction.


Check out the diagram for the diode placement. When power flows from AUX1, it will light the LED but when it hits the diode, it will not be allowed to flow to the PS.


[Broken External Image]:http://img207.imageshack.us/img207/8996/ssdiagram.jpg


Hope that explains it. You can get a 6 amp diode from your local Radio Shack. They look like this. The gray stripe on the diode is the end that points to the LED. Electricity will flow left to right in that pic, but not right to left.


Let me know if you need more info.


Tony

 

[abbra]

Wow thanks Tony- this explains a lot!


But I think I may have confused everybody by interchanging the term PS (strobes) and LED. I know my original diagram says LED but that should actually be a strobe pack.


Anyway, let me ask this question: Would I need a diode if only 1 set of lights was hooked up to the P3 switch and the AUX switch? Do i still have the "water flowing" problem? Here is my desired setup to explain:


Pursuit 1 Relay: Rear LEDs


Pursuit 2 Relay: Front LEDs


Pursuit 3 Relay: strobes


So if I had the switch in pursuit3 it would activate Relays 1, 2, & 3


Now the strobes that are hooked up to relay 3, I also want to hook them up to the aux relay, so when the pursuit buttons are not activated (leds off), I can still turn on just the strobes with the Aux switch. Will I need a diode for this?

 

[ERM]

No, you don't need a diode. If the pursuit slide switch is controlling relays, then the relays themselves are isolating each other. If the switch was providing the power, then yes you would, but that's another story. If there is only one item on P3, then there is no need for the diode.


Tony

 

[EVModules]

Someone needs to double check that for me...

Done. You nailed that one. What C17LVFD is recommending is essentially a defacto 30 amp diode. It effectively behaves like a diode by isolating the circuits. Very effective.


If you're thinking about it, make certain that you don't mix LED's on the same circuit for the strobe power supplies if the trigger also supplies power to the unit. Such power supplies when turned off, will "drain" the capacitor and keep LED's on for a little while.

 

[C17LVFD]

Done. You nailed that one. What C17LVFD is recommending is essentially a defacto 30 amp diode. It effectively behaves like a diode by isolating the circuits. Very effective.


If you're thinking about it, make certain that you don't mix LED's on the same circuit for the strobe power supplies if the trigger also supplies power to the unit. Such power supplies when turned off, will "drain" the capacitor and keep LED's on for a little while.

Thanks Sean for the double check!!

 

[badge22]

Yes, you can. But you will need to use a diode. Otherwise when you activate the aux. switch, it will send power to the strobes and then back to all of the options connected to the level 3 position.

In a SmartSiren/Cencom type configuration, where there are multiple relays which are activated by the control head:
Is it possible to have a certain light or set of lights activated by more than 1 switch? I'd like to have the "strobes" activate when the pursuit switch is in the Level 3 position AND have the option of activating them solo when the pursuit switch is not on, using the AUX 1 relay/switch. I attached a picture to demonstrate what I am trying to do. Theoretically this should work? right?


If you "accidentally" had both switches activated, it would just be as if "2" power lines were coming from the same battery/power source.


Let me know if any of you have done this successfully/know what I am talking about

 

[abbra]

I don't know if this will make it clearer or more confusing but,


as it is set up below, I am under the impression after all of this that I will NOT need diodes.


P(x) = Pursuit


Each "10A" is a Relay per the FedSig manual. Some switches activate 1 relay, some 2

 

[EVModules]

Follow C17LVFD's suggestion to the letter and you're golden. Nothing more complicated to it.