Looking for a switch
 

I am looking for a 12 volt dc electrical switch that will accept three input signals and deliver one output signal. For example - I will mount a temperature gauge, and will install three temperature senders in the engine compartment. I want to toggle between the three signals coming into the switch and deliver one signal to the gauge, at a time

anyone know where I can get such a switch ?




thanks




later

Try http://www.newark.com . They have toggle, rotary, and slide switches of all kinds. Need not really worry about the 12V as the sensor is only a ground bias to the gauge. Any rated switch should work. Even your local Radioshack should have a switch that will work.

Hope this helps...

I just called them and those kids over there don't have a clue. If it isn't a cell phone question, they don't have an answer !

Back hunting for a switch. Thanks for trying to help though.



Later

newark, allied, jameco, digikey.

for a toggle switch you want a single, or double (or more) pole triple throw switch. make sure its not a double throw center off which will also have 3 positions. or you can go with a rotary (haha) switch.

Yea it needs to be a single pole and triple throw. And each throw needs to STAY in it's position. I found a SPTT switch, but it return to the middle. Now try to find one of those that stays and I'll buy you a happy meal . Damn near impossible.


LAter

try out radioshack man

but hes right SPTT will be a pain to find

Rotary SPTT (actually 4t- one off)

3 position selector switch (nice looking but pricey)

Curious?
 

What is the location of the 3 temperature sending units? What is the degree range of the guage? I'm sure SPTT switch does exhist, I could check with my electrical supplier at work. I'm thinking you should be able to get a 12VDC electrical input selector module. This is basically a small elect. module that will allow you to wire multiple input signals to it with one output lead running to your guage. You would have a momentary swith, lets say spring loaded push button type, inside that when each time your pushed it the signal to the guage would to change to the next inline input signal at the module. We use these at work to lets say allow a customer to change the flash pattern of his strobe lights on his truck. The rotary or multiple output selector switch like fan speed selector would work, but I dont think you want an off position and this type of switch involves running alot more wires into the dash. The module allows most of the wires to be connected under the hood. There is a club member named Aaron Cake you could contact who I believe is an electrical expert, he may be hard to contact though. If you can get him to respond I'm sure he will have some ideas.

I went to Radio Shack and looked my self. They had ONE rotary switch - a 2 POLE and 12 position. I ended up ripping one pole off and 6 of the positions. Now I ma altering the "stop" to make it a three position. It will work. $3.00


later

Post some pics when you are done. Sounds pretty interesting.