Illuminated DC Panel Switches

[JMW]

I added a new dc electrical panel with illuminated switches. (Upgraded all the wiring and fuse protected all circuits)
The switches light up red when they are in the "on" position.
I am surprised at how hot the switch becomes even when it is switched on without a load present. (IE 12V receptable without anything plugged in...)
It appears that the heat is generated from the tiny light within the switch.
Can anyone tell me if their illuminated switches generate noticeable heat ?

[Clemo]

Yes, JMW, the heat is being generated by the incandescant indicator light bulb.

Also, if you have gone to LED interior lighting or nav lights, the indicator bulb in your fuse panel may be drawing more power that the nav lights and maybe your reading lights in the cabin.

I find the light from the control panel indicators annoying and am working on a mod to make the indicators switchable. (A press button on the earth side of the lights. If the switch is on but you suspect the fuse then press the button. The lights will only come on if the fuse is ok. More on that later.)

But, returning to your question, yes the bulb is generating the heat.

C ya,
Clemo.

[kmclemore]

Yeah, mine does the same thing... and it's sucking power with that heat.

I've always told myself I'm gonna replace it with an LED panel (almost no power loss there), but, alas, I never get a round tuit.

[Catigale]

Someone recently measured the draw per fuse box lamp and I recall a number of 0.15A - thus each bulb draws about 2Watts. (to be confirmed)

I like the idea of the push to test button. I do use the fuse box lights as a 'night light' though - with the cabin light switch in the ON position, the kids can find the head at night without turning on any other lights, Ive found.

[Highlander]

On one of my panels two of the switches lights have burned out I do not intend on replacing them ! I'm just going to put some electrical black tape over the others to defuse the bright light , on my other panel the lights on the switches are very dim so drawing much less power cannot remember the name's of the panels right now !
J

[Oskar 26M]

Rather than illuminated switches, I opted for separate colour coded LED switches from a local auto shop. A good range of colours are available these days and (according to the digital ammeter on my controller, the loss of power is negligible . About the only problem is that the blue LED is a super-bright so I usually have to turn the fresh water pump off at night

[Russ]

Incandescent bulbs are awful. They are HOT, they draw power and they burn out quickly. Upgrading to LED switches is pretty easy.


--Russ

[grady]

I Made an electronic dimmer for mine. Anytime the running or anchor light are turned on all the switches are dimmed. it would be easy to make a mechanical dimmer with a switch and a resistor. I will try to find the schematic I drew for this and post it.

[Catigale]

...you need to dim by modulaton of course, not resistance (or else you just move where the power is drawn, rather than reduce consumption)

[grady]

...you need to dim by modulation of course, not resistance (or else you just move where the power is drawn, rather than reduce consumption)

I know a lamps resistance changes with power but OHM'S law is if you increase resistance you decrease current flow. Then same voltage less current equals less wattage. LED's are the answer to power consumption but to just dim some lamps a resistor will work fine.

[Russ]

I Made an electronic dimmer for mine. Anytime the running or anchor light are turned on all the switches are dimmed. it would be easy to make a mechanical dimmer with a switch and a resistor. I will try to find the schematic I drew for this and post it.

Now that is just brilliant! I love it. Like your car dimming your dash lights when your headlights are on. That's just the kind of crazy electrical stuff I would do if I knew how. In addition, you could install a switch to manually dim them.

Of course the best thing is simply replace them with LEDs. That's what I did. Actually, I built my own custom panel with LED indicator lights and polarity reversing DPDT switch to toggle between LED anchor and LED steaming light.


--Russ

[Catigale]

Right grady - but any card carrying EE will wince since you are dumping your hard earned power into the resistor as well as the load to do this.

Of course, if it floats your boat ...... so be it .....

[Doug91mac26s]

I upgraded my panel to circuit breakers and installed a LED on each circuit.

I posted this in the mods 26S section under heading "New circuit breaker panel".

LED's are the way to go!