Tilt Switch Wiring

[Mad-River-68]

Hello all!  I've got another wiring question and would appreciate some guidance from the collective wisdom of this group.  I'm not a huge fan of the open switch that controls the trunk light, especially given that it sits near the gas tank.  I've explored options and found a tilt switch that looks like it will do the job.  However, the switch is rated only to 20mA, so it requires a relay.  The attached diagram came with the switch.  I would love some advice on the wires that should go to 86 and 87.  I assume one should get the purple/white wire that would otherwise connect directly to the original switch.   What should the other be?  

Thanks in advance as always!  This group is such a great resource! 

[RobH]

A word of caution Bill -  the average automotive relay takes rather more than 20mA to operate it.   Most are in the order of 180 mA.

There are plenty of tilt switches which will carry larger currents - e.g.

https://www.switchelectronics.co.uk/products/s1016cw-15-abs-horizontal-tilt-switch-1a-120v

 

Alternatively why not change the bulb for a 12V LED one which will be bright on less than 20mA ?  That way you can use that tilt-switch direct. 

Unfortunately the sellers of these bulbs never seem to quote the current drawn. 

https://www.classicbulbs.co.uk/categories/classic-bulbs-led-festoon-bulbs

 

Edited May 4 by RobH

[Mad-River-68]

Thank you Rob as always!  

 

[BlueTR3A-5EKT]

Or find a Rolls Royce UD1751 mercury type boot lamp tilt switch……

used ones go for £50 

[stuart]

16 hours ago, BlueTR3A-5EKT said:

Or find a Rolls Royce UD1751 mercury type boot lamp tilt switch……

used ones go for £50 

MK2 jaguars had the same switch for the internal boot light.

Stuart.

[Mad-River-68]

Hi Gents!  Thanks as always for all the help.  I have procured an old Rolls Royce tilt switch - it works like a charm, and quite robust!  I would greatly appreciate advice on how to wire it.  I found a wiring diagram for the appropriate Silver Cloud (oh my goodness, what a complex thing!).  On the TR, the boot light is connected to ground.  In the Rolls, the light is connected to ground.  I would greatly appreciate advice on how to wire the switch.  As show in the diagram, it has two wires coming out of it.  Can I simply install it as I would the TR switch, with a purple/white wire to one of the wires on the Rolls tilt switch and then ground the other wire on the Rolls switch?

 

Thanks as always for the guidance!   

[RobH]

Technically it really doesn't matter which way you do it Bill,  but since  the wires are already there it makes sense to connect it the Triumph way - as then you don't need to alter the lamp wiring.  

 

 

 

 

Edited May 7 by RobH

[Mad-River-68]

Thanks Rob!  I appreciate it.  I will hopefully get the hang of this.  It’s taxing my memories of junior high school science class (the last time I had any focused study on electricity)!

Edited May 7 by Mad-River-68