Source for electrical switches

[Bruce_N]

Hey All- I've installed my heated seats that I got from a salvage yard. My '99 did not have any wiring harness for this and had to build that. Now I want to mount a switch on the dash to control the power to the seats. I'm looking for a good source for toggle/rocker switches. Needs to be waterproof obviously, miniature and illuminated. I've googled, but what I'm finding is either too big or need to buy in bulk. I just need a couple to mount in the dash. I'm sure a couple of you LT gurus must have a good supplier. Thanks.

[rixchard]

Try a marine supply store. I have found lots of interesting stuff there.

[rjhammetter]

mcmaster.com, grainger.com, or newark.com
do a search for illuminated switches. don't know which ones are waterproof or not. you can pick rocker, push-button, toggle, or whatever you prefer.

[Bruce_N]

Guys, Thanks for the suggestions. I should find what I need.

[Buck]

I take it you are not using the factory switches, which are mounted on the underside of the r/h side of the seats?

[Bruce_N]

I take it you are not using the factory switches, which are mounted on the underside of the r/h side of the seats?

Yes, I will. But since I didn't have the factory wiring, I'm tapping into a power outlet which was convenient. I figure by adding a lighted switch in-line I can easily check to be sure I shut off the seat power so I don't kill the battery. May sound confusing, but I think it will be a clean addition.

[Ranger]

The seats won't have power anyway after you turn the key off. Are you not turning the key off?

[dronning]

My '99 did not have any wiring harness for this and had to build that. Now I want to mount a switch on the dash to control the power to the seats.

Just wire in a relay that triggered when the key is turned on, you'll never have to worry about the battery running low and you won't have to remember to turn it on or off just use the seat switch as it was intended.

Dave

[ksawatsky]

I'm thinking the Model AS-5NCY. It would not require a big, possibily ugly additional switch, and it would even have that nice little LED to install in the dash...

http://www.cyclegadgets.com/products/product.asp?Item=AS

Kevin

[myk_edwards]

Yes, I will. But since I didn't have the factory wiring, I'm tapping into a power outlet which was convenient.

Some time back, there was a tread about adding a light on the dash to indicate if the seat was set to high or low setting. Might be worth lookig for that thread. I thought there may even have been a wiring diagram??

anyone else remeber this?

[mteitler]

Electrical Connection sells a nice seat heat indicator kit http://www.electricalconnection.com/meters_indicators/indicator_seatheat_k1200lt.htm

They're also a good source for switches http://www.electricalconnection.com/power-distribution/switch_main.htm

[wcarter]

Bruce, I also added heated seats to my '99. How exactly did you wire it?

I put a BMW plug on mine temporarily but since the front accessory outlet is unswitched, I did manage to run my battery flat when I forgot to turn the seat off.

[dwillie]

This may not be exactly what you're looking for, but may give you some added ideas. d.

http://www.electricalconnection.com/meters_indicators/indicator_seatheat_k1200lt.htm

[Bruce_N]

Bruce, I also added heated seats to my '99. How exactly did you wire it?

I put a BMW plug on mine temporarily but since the front accessory outlet is unswitched, I did manage to run my battery flat when I forgot to turn the seat off.

Hey guys, thanks for the replies. I used the power outlet on the left side on the bike near the shift lever. I wired a relay into the harness, but the outlet is always hot, at least on my bike it is. I'm not real comfortable with that, so that's why I want to add a manual switch with an indicator light. I suppose I could look for a switched power source, but the power oulet was easy to get to without tearing down half the bike.