Switch Help Needed

[threeOh]

I need to wire in a modulator (yes I know but its MOST on an '04 40th). To fill up some of the switch blanks in the car I'd like to use the Porsche footwell light switch. My take is every switch in the car is momentary and operates a relay. No problem wiring in a relay but its not a good solution.

With a relay, when the ignition is shut off the modulator will hand the signal back to the radio tuner. Due to the mismatch in output voltage (iPod) when I restrart the car, the radio will be blasting. So, I prefer a regular on/off switch.

Are there any Porsche on/off switches available that fit in the blanks? Which ones are they?

If there's any interest, I'll post a parts list when I'm done. There are enough parts on order for two installs as my wife and I want some time in the car before we decide if we want a permanent mount or a long cable with the ability to have the iPod in hand at times. Plan 1: is the iPod mounted on a RAM iPod holder with connections going thru a Sik Imp and the iPod mounted flush on the bin with a little bracket I need to make that will attach (unseen) to the top side of the bin. Plan 2: install a firewire socket in the console bin. Power thru the guts of the Sik 12v charger (spike protection and filtering) will be wired to the socket as well as the audio leads to the modulator. To connect I will use the standard iPod firewire cable (6 pin male at the end). iPod sits in the bin with this approach. Either way I get clean(er) line level output without going thru what is essentially a cheap (has to be due to packaging) "de"amplifier at the headphone jack along with a cleaner install. While it might appear Belkin's Auto kit would be a simpler install, I'm afraid their little preamp will overload a modulator.

Also, anyone know if I need a ground loop isolator? I have one ordered but would like to avoid installing it.

[Loren]

Here is a list (with pics) of the most common switches:

http://www.whiteson.org/boxster/mods/switches/

[Tool Pants]

I am not the electrical guy, but all dash switches are double pole monentary. If you want such a switch to be on/off then you need some type of relay.

[threeOh]

Thanks all,

I got the answer I expected though not necessarily wanted.

Looks like I have to educate myself on the relay side and see if there's one that remains closed, irrespective of power, until it gets another prompt from the switch.

[Tool Pants]

When I put in air horns I wanted to use a normal Porsche dash switch to control which horns were on, or all horns on at the same time. I had done this on other cars with an oem switch but I ran into the same problem because the Porsche switches are momentary.

Not being the elctrical guy I contacted 996 owner Sandy who prepared several diagrams using the Porsche switch with a relay and with a latching relay. If you are not electrical you might want to contact Sandy as he really knows this stuff.

[threeOh]

Tool Pants,

Found one, now all I have to do is figure out which 3 of the 9 lugs I need to use.