Toggle switch question

cbennet1 · #1 06-10-2011, 01:05 PM

I'm sure the answer must be staring me in the face, but....

I'm interested in using a three position switch for my landing light. My preference would be to have it wired for: OFF (down), Landing (middle), Wig Wag (Up). That's a OFF-ON-ON switch of which doesn't exist as far as I know. Plenty of ON-OFF-ON switches. :-)

How have others solved this?

Thanks,
Craig

Mike S · #2 06-10-2011, 01:11 PM

Pretty sure such a switch is out there, but you could also use a on-on-on, and just not hook up one set of terminals.

n504tw · #3 06-10-2011, 01:19 PM

http://www.aeroelectric.com/PPS/Lighting/WigWag.pdf

tommylewis · #4 06-10-2011, 01:21 PM

I have the on-off-on switch in both rvs with wig wag up, off in middle and landing light on down. Works great, but would change switches if one exists.

Bevan · #5 06-10-2011, 01:22 PM

Be sure to use a relay to switch the large current devices or a very high quality switch rated for the task with room to spare. I prefer the relay, good for 20amps. Got them from www.BandC.biz

Bevan

rapid_ascent · #6 06-10-2011, 01:53 PM

Let's start with how the toggle switch works and I think it will help you understand what you need and how to hook it up.

First in a normal SPDT switch (ON - ON). OK you have to think about what is happening mechanically when you throw the switch. When the switch is in the down position it moves the contact to the upper position which connects the center and upper terminal. When you move the switch to the up position it moves the contact to the lower position and connects the center to lower terminal.

Then for a (ON - OFF - ON), it could still be a SPDT switch, there may be a center position where the contacts do not connect the center terminal to either the upper or lower.

So what you need is a (ON-ON-ON) switch which is more specialized, but they are available. This requires a SPTT (single pole, tripple throw switch). In this type of switch there are 2 sets of contacts in the switch that allow the switch to make contact when in the center position. You don't really care about this, but just so you understand that what you have asked to do can't be done with the more basic switches. These swtiches obviously have at least 4 terminals. Here is a link to an NKK datasheet that shows what they call a 3 throw switch. Many manufacturers make these, I've just included this link to point you in the right direction.

http://www.nkkswitches.com/pdf/MtogglesBushing.pdf

I hope this helps.

cbennet1 · #7 06-10-2011, 02:05 PM

Hi All,

I neglected to mention that I am using AeroLED lights that only require a 12v signal to go in to wig wag so a relay is unnecessary.

The ON - ON - ON switch is a good option that I considered but saw nothing from the usual sources such as Spruce.

Thanks for the pointers.

Craig

pazmanyflyer · #8 06-10-2011, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cbennet1

The ON - ON - ON switch is a good option that I considered but saw nothing from the usual sources such as Spruce.

Thanks for the pointers.
Craig

B&C have what you need.
http://www.bandc.biz/toggleswitch-doublepole.aspx

cbennet1 · #9 06-10-2011, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pazmanyflyer

B&C have what you need.
http://www.bandc.biz/toggleswitch-doublepole.aspx

Looks like they have an OFF-ON-ON as well. Perfect, thanks!

pmccoy · #10 06-10-2011, 02:38 PM

I have the switch from B&C listed above. It is really a On-On-On configuration. It all depends on how you wire it up. Here is the diagram for how I did it.