O.K., I'm Stumped, Wiring problem.

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O.K., I'm Stumped, Wiring problem.

Postby Micro469 » Sat Sep 23, 2006 8:20 pm

I'm trying to hook up my lights, and can't figure out the switches. Maybe I got the wrong ones. Anyway, let me tell you what i have so far, and maybe someone can help. Two sets of switches, at each door. Main power coming down one side, split off to connect a 1 switch for porch light and 1 switch for a cabin light, swung over to the other side, split again for porch light switch and cabin light switch. Porch lights work fine. Added a pos. to each cabin switch, one going directly to light, the other going to reading lamps.split off reading lamps to go to cabin light. So now I have 2pos going to cabin light so both switches will operate, but I can't switch them on/off independantly. I one switch is on the light stays on , and only goes out when both switches are off, I.E. killing both power lines. I'm trying to make it so I can switch the light on and off from both sides with the least amount of wire, heck, I, trying to make it switch on and off using both switches!! This has got me so confused I just want to bang my head against the wall. Can anyone show me the proper way to do this?
I'm want the cabin light, the reading lights and the porch lights on the same circuit. Doable? Or should I split them into separate circuits? :cry:
John
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Postby madjack » Sat Sep 23, 2006 8:33 pm

John, you have to have a specific 3way switch...you can't doit with a regular switch.............................. 8)
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Postby bdosborn » Sat Sep 23, 2006 8:55 pm

John,

Here's a handy animation showing how a 3 way switch works:

http://www.selfhelpandmore.com/switchou ... /index.htm

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Postby Micro469 » Sat Sep 23, 2006 9:13 pm

O.K., what am I looking for....SPDT.......DPDT......SPST.....?????? :oops:
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Postby Dale M. » Sat Sep 23, 2006 9:20 pm

Single Pole Double Throw. (SPDT)...

http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?t=11307

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Postby Miriam C. » Sat Sep 23, 2006 9:27 pm

madjack wrote:John, you have to have a specific 3way switch...you can't doit with a regular switch.............................. 8)


:lol: There now, wasn't that easy. ;) This was intended as a joke, it is not easy nor simple.

Great animation Bruce. John remember to pay attention to the 3 wire plus bare to wire it. Can't run 14/2.

Edit: The site Bruce posted might be a good read for all who plan to do this.
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Postby bdosborn » Sat Sep 23, 2006 9:35 pm

John,

Here's an explanation of the 3 way circuit. Its about half way down the page...
http://www.1728.com/project2.htm
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Postby Micro469 » Sat Sep 23, 2006 10:12 pm

Dale M. wrote:Single Pole Double Throw. (SPDT)...

http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?t=11307

Dale


Doh... If I read my own threads properly I'd have figured it out by now... I just wanted 4 switches to look the same.. I gues thats not going to happen.........
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Postby Dale M. » Sun Sep 24, 2006 12:59 pm

Micro469 wrote:
Dale M. wrote:Single Pole Double Throw. (SPDT)...

http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?t=11307

Dale


Doh... If I read my own threads properly I'd have figured it out by now... I just wanted 4 switches to look the same.. I gues thats not going to happen.........


Why not....Find a SPDT swith you like looks of and just use it for all applications... A SPDT switch acts as a SPST (Single Pole Single Throw) if you only use the common connector and one of the output connector (two wire circuit instead of three) leaving second output connector un-connected...

Places like Waytek and DelCity (commercial wire and hardware suppliers) have matching switch styles in many different (beauty) configurations...

http://www.waytekwire.com
http://www.delcity.net

Also check out RV or Marine suppliers...

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Postby asianflava » Sun Sep 24, 2006 2:53 pm

I also had a hard time finding matching switches. I ended up buying some from www.partsexpress.com. I got the heavy duty switches which have screw terminals on the back instead of spade lugs. The ones I got didn't match but they look close enough.
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Postby Dee Bee » Sun Sep 24, 2006 9:01 pm

Word to the wise....

Make sure the switch is rated for the amp load of the light

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