Can I use a CaliRaised OEM Style Switch on a Diode Dynamics SS3?

I just ordered my first aftermarket lights ever (the DDs), and I think I'll be mostly fine figuring the install out, but can I use the OEM style switch even though the SS3s are backlit? I'd love to keep the backlight option but if I can only get the main beams on and off with the OEM style switch that'd be okay too.

 

I’m not 100% sure how the back light works on the DD’s, as none of mine have that.
But I’m pretty sure it’s as simple as a second positive wire purely for the back light and the shared ground for the main beam.

I don’t think you’d be able to use the caliraised switch for both the features.
I’d use it for the main beam, and add a second small hidden switch for the backlight if you wish.
Even if you add more leds in the future.
Could use a separate caliraised switch for these SS3 and other future lights, but then to toggle all aftermarket DD backlights use that one single small hidden one.

 

That makes sense, so I'd split the main beam and backlight wires off of the switch that comes with the harness and run the main one to the OEM style switch and the other to the hidden switch?

 

I used to run the backlight feature on the Baja designs with an oem style switch. You can wire any light to an oem style switch. Your best bet is to run a dual oem style switch. That way one is for the backlight and one is for the actual light.

 

Actually, would this work? I didn't realize CaliRaised made a 3-way-ish switch.

 

They’re all made very similar to each other. I get mine from CH4x4. There’s a seller on here that makes the daisy chain harness so you can get the switches to light up with your trucks illuminated circuit. The dual oem style switch is just a top and bottom switch. I don’t think there’s a 3 way switch.

 

Here's a video I stumbled across on another thread.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5un69_YhPw
Hope it helps.

 

Yeah this should work. Really any three position switch with two separate positives and one “off” should work. If Caliraised makes one you like, sweet !

 

Well I have both in hand now, but I'm not sure how to make the CaliRaised switch work (the one that came with the DD lights works fine). This thread seems to be on a similar line, but doesn't have any harness options like what the DD lights come with, which just has two leads, one for the amber backlight and one for the main white beam. Any idea what to do? The CaliRaised switch looks like the diagram in post 3 on the aforementioned thread.

 

Keep us updated on this. Maybe you can post how you wired it and who you got the switch from. I was leaning towards CH4x4 to flow with the rest of my switches. Going to be putting in an order soon for mine.

 

Good news, I got it working. Went with that CaliRaised dual function switch (which I'm guessing is the same as the CH4x4, seems like a generic Chinese made part), which has 5 wires coming out the back of it. Skipped the harness DD includes for aftermarket/OEM switches and used the harness they used for their own switch. Pulled their switch off, hooked the green wire (which powers the switch) to the center fitting, and the blue and red wires (that toggle the different light settings) to the amber yellow and blue wires that are hooked to the amber and white lights.

You'll be left with the yellow and black wires coming off the CaliRaised switch, they're used to illuminate the switch. I have this switch illumination harness on the way to grab the illumination from the bed light switch.

I know that was a fairly wordy explanation, when I pop that switch panel open to put in that second harness I'll grab a couple pictures and add 'em to this thread. It's certainly possible (likely) that I just don't understand the extra harness from DD but all I care about is that it works, is safe, and looks good, which it does/is. This thread had some useful diagrams, specifically the second picture of the CaliRaised wiring harness is how it actually looks, it comes with a diagram that's not accurate.

 

Hell yeah!!!! Great work.

 

I'm running both backlit SS3's and SSC2's each on their own Caliraised switch. No problems at all.

Backlights come on when dash lights are on.

 

Did you have to modify them to work with the switch or they wired right up as is?

 

It's been a while, so I don't remember exactly how but basically the wire from the lights for the backlit is wired to a fuse tap so that the backlight always comes on with the dash.

The wires for the main beam on them are each wired to their individual switches like normal instructions say.

I'll be taking it apart soon to add a few more, I'll add some pics for ya!

 

Did you use a Tall Style switch or the Small Style? Apparently, they have two different wire color combinations on the pigtail.

 

I went with the small style switch.

 

I have an electrical question as it applies to this thread:

I just wired up my DiodeDynamics SSC2 LED lights at chase lights.

• I connected them via a 15amp add-a-fuse instead of directly to the battery, so I don't accidentally leave them on if the ignition is off.
• For now, I'm using the default 'rocker switch' that came with the diode dynamics wiring harness.
• This all works great. There's no relay at all on this circuit.

Here's my question:

• I would like to buy one of the dual-button switches listed in this thread either from CaliRaised or CH4X4.
• They are listed as 3amp switches.
• My question is if I need to add relays into the circuit to deal with this?
• My hypothesis is no, because upon looking at the DiodeDynamics SSC2 LED specifications, it lists the current as follows:
  • Power (watts): Main Beam: 7.7, Backlight: 0.7
  • Operating Voltage: 9-16V
  • Current (amps @ 12.8V): Main Beam: 0.6, Backlight: 0.06
• I would anticipate that I only need a relay if the amperage of the lights was greater than 3amps, which it doesn't appear to be.

Can someone confirm my assumption, or advise otherwise?

Thank you

 

Did you use a caliraised switch with your DD harness? The heavy duty DD harness is backordered 6-8 weeks, so I'm going to get the light duty one, which doesn't have a relay. I'm wondering if the caliraised oem style switch will wire up to the DD harness without the relay? I'm going to get ss3 lights without backlight

 

I have all of my diode dynamic lights wired up to an S pod.
Most of them are all close enough to the unit that I did not need any additional wiring other than what diode dynamics provided with the LED bars