Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Classic Morgans (pre-CX) Toggle switches

I have a year 2000. 4/4 and would like to change the rocker switches on the dash with toggle switches ,has anyone done this and if so any problems /advice is appreciated .

Be careful in your selection of toggle switches, I tried at first with Lucas jaguar-style switches but the quality was rubbish. I went with the sealed Professional range from Holdens:

https://www.holden.co.uk/p/off_on_professional_sealed_toggle_switch_2_terminals

The only problem I had to overcome is that they don't do a hazard switch so I had to use a 6-pole twin throw and some cunning wiring to get the hazards to work correctly.

I did this when I rebuilt my 1980 Plus 8. The original rocker switches always seemed to fail at the most inopportune times, so there was no way I wasn't going to get rid of them. Used sealed switches from Car Builder solutions. I think it was this general type. https://www.carbuilder.com/products...-return-off-on-spring-return-double-pole

I identified the hazard switch with a bit of red shrink fit tubing over the toggle.

I remember having to find a washer to fit in the dash hole to get the size right and think it was these.
https://www.holden.co.uk/p/toggle_switch_threaded_washer

There are good posts here Hugo.

I too have changed my two Plus 8s with Smith's rocker switches to toggles. These rocker switches fall apart (the later VDOs are much better and I kept them
that car)

For replacements, as we kept a 1967 e-type Roadster for my wife, their longer toggles were never in contention. But I tried to find smaller toggles with that
special UK look.(see below) They come in all styles and prices.Google images using "UK toggle switches marine supply" as your search term.

One important note. Inform yourself of the maximum amperage of each switch and what it is powering. These switches are rarely robust (though Tiger
Tim's points to a 10 amper). And though toggles rarely power much that robust, spot/fog lamps are the exception. My first one, from a Morgan supplier, melted
after a few on-offs. Rather than use a relay switch (which is, after all, adding another thing that can break) I merely bought the same toggle but designed to
switch from one petrol tank pump to another....15 amps.

That one has worked the spots/fogs on the Plus 8 for 24 years without resorting to a relay. Keeps your life simple. And in that spirit, I added lights beside each
toggle so I know when it is on. They are expcially helpful, For example, I know when the rad fan has come automatically on.

Lorne (who believes in simple, powerful sports cars)

Higher current toggle switches are available in the general electrical/electronic industry:

eg: 28V, 20A: RS Components

or pick and mix here:

Farnell

I switched to toggles .... the hazard switch was the only one I didn't buy new (I used one off another project I had lying about ... needless to say it failed by falling apart inside which led me a song and dance of varying indicator symptoms that changed evey time I used them as bits of contact floated around inside randomly!!) ... it's about time I replaced it.

Does anyone have the part number for a plain metal hazard toggle ? .... or know the switch-nomenculature for it (ie DPST or whatever)?

Cheers

K

Thank you Dave. That is quite useful.


Yes, That is quite common K. Every decade or so trad owners realize their hazard switches are fragile and many are not aesthetically to their taste. The emergency
flashes were always a hassle with toggle switches. I have reluctantly used the wiring below (consisting of 4 of the cheapest relays) and a bit of patience. It has
worked without issue for 24 years. You sound like the type that can easily handle that.

In the mid-2000s, dear Steve Simmonds sold an easily wired and costly module but IIRC, they soon ran out.

Today, you can spend anywhere from 18$ to 400 quid for the same thing, and they came in versions where you can set their flashing to anything, even your favourite
Calypso beat. If you so choose, they even have ones that can handle LED.

Lorne

.

I'm planning a change to toggles and thought this might work for the hazards - up provides power to the indicator switch and down provides power to the hazards.

https://www.carbuilder.com/products...ole?_pos=18&_fid=730fde378&_ss=c

However I might simplify things and fit something like this instead

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/387108542226

I would go for the carbuilder DPDT switch. You would need 42 watt and 84 watt flasher relays assuming OE 21 watt indicator bulbs.

The other thing I'm going to do is change the two pin relays to three pin and feed the indicator/hazard telltale lights from the relays.

Under the normal wiring, the telltales are fed from the same feed as the indicator bulbs and it plays absolute havoc if trying to fit LED indicator bulbs!