on/off/on switch

[Easy Runnin]

Hello:

I am getting ready to install some LED courtesy lights. I want to use an on/off/on switch like my nav/anchor lights. I want to have the option of cockpit only (anchor) OR cockpit and helm area (nav). I have an on/off/on that looks like this in the back:

a ---- ---- d
b ----
c ----

When the switch is off I have continuity at blades a, c and d. When the switch is on, in either position, I have continuity at blades a, b, c and d. I don?t think this will work for me.

What kind of switch is this? What would it be used for? What kind of switch do I need?

Thanks

 

[lowkee]

Re: on/off/on switch

EDIT: It's late and I totally misthought that one. Here is a working solution:

on/off/on is really a 2 position switch that can be toggled in either direction, though i have seen some which have separate connectors for each 'on' state, allowing what you want to happen. You will need the double pole kind, as you need to isolate each light set in the 'on' state.

Example:

a -- -- b (on 1)
c -- -- d (off)
e -- -- f (on 2)

When in on1, a and c are connected, as are b and d.
When in off, nothing is linked
When in on2, c and e are connected, as are d and f.

To make this work, you connect as follows:

You will want to connect the ground of the lights to ground at all times,
Then connect 12v to c and d,
Then connect light set #1 positive lead to a and e,
Then connect light set #2 to f

Done!

 

[rentmoney]

Re: on/off/on switch

I have a seachoice seven pin illuminated contura rocker switch.... on/off/on... I want the anchor lights on in lower position and the nav and anchor lights on in the upper position...how do I wire this?

A
B C
D E
F G

I know my main power goes to D... I have anchor light to F...Nav light to B.

A,C,E,G are grounds.. I only have one ground wire to A. Both lights work now in there respective positions...illumination works on switch..but cannot get anchor and nav lights on at same time.... Any help would be appreciated

 

[Silvertip]

Re: on/off/on switch

Come on people -- stop hijacking threads. It gets hard to keep track of who is who and what the problem is. Rentmoney -- check your post.

Easy Runnin, you can use either a three terminal or a six terminal switch (7 pin if it has an indicator light). A three terminal switch requires use of a diode but they are dirt cheap at Radio Shack. I've included both configurations. If you have a lighted switch, the seventh terminal goes to ground. It is merely the ground for the light. That terminal should have a ground symbol along side it.
Here is a six terminal switch: Substitute the bow light for whatever type of lighting you wish. The circuit doesn't care what type of light(s) you use.

Here is a three terminal switch configuration: Same deal -- use whatever type of light you want.

 

[Easy Runnin]

Re: on/off/on switch

Silvertip:

Thanks for the reply. This switch is lighted, so d must be the ground. Does it make sense to have continuity between a, b, and c when the switch is on? I would think if the switch was on I would have continunity between a and b or b and c, but not both.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: on/off/on switch

You are making this way too difficult, you misunderstand how the internals of the switch work and you are also miswiring things because of it. You NEVER have ground wires on a switch except for one with an internal light like yours and ONLY on that terminal. They connect to only one place on a boat and that is to the negative terminal of the battery, the ground buss on a fuse/breaker panel/ or the engine block. Here is a drawing of what your switch looks like. The switch is shown in the OFF (center) position.

The two red bars in the switch are tied together mechanically so when the switch is toggled, ONLY the two terminals that each red bar touches are connected. There is no continuity between sides. When toggled the other way, they touch the other two terminals. Note that I did not show the "hot" wire going to the bulb. Thats primarily to avoid confusion, but whenever the switch is toggled up or down, "internal" connections occur that feeds +12V to the light, then to ground through the A terminal. You cannot make resistance (continuity) checks with circuits connected to the switch. Then get those grounds off the switch and wire it like I showed in my diagram for bow and stern lights. It will work.