Rocker Switch Wiring Diagrams

As a resource for our customers, we provide below a collection of explanations, wiring diagrams, how to videos, etc of some of the most common Carling rocker switches that we sell.  Additional switch specific information can also be found on the product pages for each part.

1. V1D1-B60B  – SPST, ON-OFF, 1 Dep Lamp – Top

Buy This Switch: V1D1-B60B ON-OFF Rocker Switch.

Perhaps the most common rocker switch on the planet… the V1D1-B60B is a SPST, standard ON-OFF rocker switch.  It will be printed with “V1D1”, “12V 20A” and “Carling Technologies”.

It will have one incandecent lamp at the top of the switch that illuminates automatically when the switch is on.

V1D1-B60B  has three prongs on the back – formally called terminals.  We also carry a four prong V1D1 rocker switch with two lights (p/n: V1D1-G66B) which can be found below.  This switch will replace a V1DA rocker switch as well, which has plastic barriers between the terminals on the back.

Like all of our rocker switches this is a genuine Carling Contura V Series Rocker Switch and It is IP68 sealed dustproof and waterproof.

See our V1D1 wiring overview video here:

This switch body can be paired with many of our printed marine labeled snap in rocker switch covers for a complete, labeled switch combo unit.

Please also see our: Etched Marine labeled backlit rocket switches.  Or read more about how backlit switches work.

Rocker Switch Specs

  • Nominal voltage: 12Vdc
  • Current Rating: 20A
  • Terminals: 3
  • Carling P/N: V1D1-B60B
  • Lamp Type: Incandescent
  • Lamp Life: 10,000 hours
Carling V1D1 rocker switch wiring diagram

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carllington V1D1 white light on

2. V1D1-G_ _B – SPST, ON-OFF –  (1) Top Independent, (1) Bottom Dependent

This section applies to all our SPST independent lamp ON-OFF switches, which we carry in various lamp and LED colors.

These switch bodies include (and cab be purchased as links below):

V1D1-G66B – White Lamps

V1D1-GCCB – Red LED Rocker Switch

V1D1-GXXB – Blue LED Rocker Switch

We use this style of V1D1 switch body on all our SPST, ON-OFF laser etched etched backlit rocker switches.  Unlike the V1D1-B60B that has 3 prongs on the back, This ON-OFF rocker switch has 4 prongs.  The additional terminal is at terminal 8 and controls the top light in the switch (called an independent light).

This rocker switch body is meant to be paired an etched or printed snap in rocker switch cover for a complete switch unit.  All actuators sold on this site will fit this switch.

Like all of our rocker switches this is a genuine Carling Contura V Series Rocker Switch and It is IP68 sealed dustproof and waterproof.

We also have marine specific rocker switch wiring diagrams toward the bottom of this page.

Rocker Switch Specs

  • Nominal voltage: 12Vdc
  • Current Rating: 20A
  • Terminals: 4
  • Carling P/N: V1D1-G _ _ B
  • Lamp Type: various
  • Lamp Life: 10k – 100k hours
ON-OFF rocker switch wiring diagram

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blue LED ON-OFF rocker switch carling
rocker switch terminals

Example above, shown in blue LED

3. VJD1-D66B, ON-OFF-ON, DPDT Rocker Switch w/ 2 DEP Lamps

Buy VJD1 Switch Body only here

Buy: Nav/Anc Rocker Switch here

This DPDT Illuminated rocker switch has two dependent lamps, one top and one at the bottom.  The wiring diagram to the right shows how the contacts and lamps are wired internally.

The VJD1 rocker switch has 7 prongs on the back, called terminals.  If you’re replacing an existing rocker switch, it will likely have “VJD1” stamped on the side of the switch housing, but this switch will also replace a V6D1, a VJDA and a V6DA.

This switch will light the bottom light when it is down, and the upper light when it is up.

3b. How to Wire as a Nav/Anc Switch:

For marine applications an extremely common use for this VJD1 switch is as a Navigation and Anchor light switch.

We’ve created a short video explaining how to do this:

Design cool fully custom rocker switch covers for RVs, Jeeps, Aviation, ATV’s, etc here.

Rocker Switch Specs

  • Nominal voltage: 12Vdc
  • Current Rating: 20A
  • Terminals: 7
  • Carling P/N: VJD1-D66B
  • Lamp Type: Incandescent
  • Lamp Life: 10,000 hours
ON-OFF-ON rocker switch wiring diagram

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carling double white light rocker switch
navigation anchor switch back

4. VJD2-U_ _B – DPDT, ON-OFF-ON with 2 ind lamps

This wiring diagram applies to several switches with the only difference being the color of the lights.  The blanks: “_” shown can be a “6” for white, “C” for red, or “X” for blue.

Buy variations of this switches here:
VJD2-U66B – White Lamps
VJD2-UCCB – Red LEDs
VJD2-UXXB – Blue LEDs

Our only 10 terminal switch, this marine grade rocker is a Double Pole Double Throw DPDT.   It is an ON-OFF-ON switch, where up and down are ON (or continuous with an input terminal), and the center position is OFF.   It has two independent lights… one at the top, and one at the bottom.

Independent lights are triggered by en external source… like another switch.

The VJD2 rocker switch has 10 posts on the back and is a variation on our Dependent lamp ON-OFF-ON rocker switch body or VJD1.  You would most often use the VJd2 instead of the VJD1 when this switch will be triggering two loads, but NOT the backlights in a bank of backlit rocker switches.

Notice on the wiring diagram that of the 10 prongs (spade connectors, called termianls) on the back, four 4 make the rocker switch lights function, while the remaining six are used for the electromechanical switching contacts.  This switch body does have two isolated negative inputs (T9 and T7) for each lamp or LED in the switch.

This switch body is meant to be paired with a rocker switch actuator.  All actuators sold on this site will fit this switch, but with independent lights this etched switch cover will work best.

This switch is often used as a Navigation/Anchor light switch on a boat… see below for a wiring diagram of that specific configuration:

Rocker Switch Specs

  • Nominal voltage: 12Vdc
  • Current Rating: 20A
  • Terminals: 10
  • Carling P/N: VJD2-U__B
  • Lamp Type: White Incandecent, Blue LED, red LED
  • Lamp Life: 100,000 hours (for LED)
DPDT backlit rocker switch wiring diagram

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blue LED ON-OFF rocker switch carling
10 terminal rocker switch back

5. VLD1-A_0B – DPDT, (ON)-OFF-(ON),  1 Independent Lamp

This wiring diagram applies to several switch body variations that apply to lighting color only, otherwise the switches are the same.

View/buy variations of the switch here:
VLD1-A60B – White Incandescent Lamps
VLD1-AC0B – Red LEDs
VLD1-AX0B – Blue LEDs

This is a Double Pole Double Throw DPDT, momentary illuminated momentary rocker switch  It has one ind lamp at the top. The wiring diagram to the right will show how to wire and power this 12V 20AMP (ON)-OFF-(ON) 3 way Carling Contura rocker switch.

When wiring this switch you can choose if you’d like to illuminate it because of the independent lamp attached to terminals 8 and 7.  Or these terminals can be ignored for non-backlit switch banks.

This rocker switch is often used to reverse polarity on an electric motor.  If you’re replacing an existing rocker switch, it will probably have a “VLD1” stamped on the side, although it will also replace a V8D1, VLDA, and V8DA (among others).

This is a black rocker switch body only and is meant to be paired an etched or printed snap in rocker switch cover for a complete switch unit.

Like all of our rocker switches this is a genuine Carling Contura V Series Rocker Switch and It is IP68 sealed dustproof and waterproof.

Rocker Switch Specs

  • Nominal voltage: 12Vdc
  • Current Rating: 20A
  • Terminals: 8
  • Carling P/N: VLD1-A_0B
  • Lamp Type: LED or Incandescent
  • Lamp Life: 100,000 hours (LED, 10,000 Inc)
momentary rocker switch wiring diagram

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carllington V1D1 white light on

Shown above is a VLD1-A60B – white incandecent version, but it’s available in other lighting colors.

6. VMDJ-G66B – DPDT, (ON)-ON-OFF, 1 Independent, 1 Dependent Lamp

The VMDJ is a unique DPDT momentary rocker switch.  The wiring diagram below will demonstrate how to to wire and power this 12V 20AMP (ON)-ON-OFF 3 way Carling Contura rocker switch.

This rocker is perfect for an engine OFF/RUN/START switch.  It is OFF at the bottom, ON in the center, and Momentary (ON) at the top.  The center ON position is remains on while the momentary (ON) function at the top is being pressed.

It’s also commonly used with a windshield wiper/washer setup comes with a brass jumper on terminals 2 and 5 as shown in the picture.

Download the free PDF wiring diagram for this interesting rocker switch below.

Rocker Switch Specs

  • Nominal voltage: 12Vdc
  • Current Rating: 20A
  • Terminals: 6
  • Carling P/N: VMDJ-G66B
  • Lamp Type: White Incandescent
  • Lamp Life: 10,000 hours

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carling double white light rocker switch

Specialty Wiring Section

The section below has wiring diagrams the are specific to marine rocker switch panels. We have wiring diagrams and wiring guides on how to wire a 10 terminal Nav/Ancher ON-OFF-ON 3 way Carling Contura Rocker Switch, as well as a wiring diagrams in how to Wire a 10 terminal Bilge Auto-Manual ON-OFF-ON 3 way Carling Contura Rocker Switch (for more on how to wire a bilge pump check this out) we also have a general DPDT Wiring Diagram for powering two loads using an ON-OFF-ON 3 way Carling Contura Rocker Switch.

If you’re wiring trim tabs we offer wiring diagrams on how to wire electric trim tabs, how to wire hydraulic trim tabs, and a how to on reverse polarity for a rocker switch.

Finally we have a Wiring Diagram for how to back light illuminated carling rocker switches in a rocker switch panel.