[DeTomaso] switch

[Larry - Ohio Time Corp]

If you are truly going to run a + wire to the battery please make sure you
install an in line fuse at the battery to protect everything from going up
in flames.

Larry - Cleveland



-----Original Message-----
From: detomaso-bounces at poca.com [mailto:detomaso-bounces at poca.com] On Behalf
Of Doug Scott
Sent: Friday, September 20, 2013 9:25 AM
To: MikeLDrew at aol.com; tpoemer at gmail.com; detomaso at poca.com
Subject: Re: [DeTomaso] (no subject)

Sorry, should have posted more details.  Sometimes something seems so basic
you just assume everyone knows what you mean.

 

The switch can be one of a few types given the description we have.
Switches are normally identified by number of poles(SP, DP for example), and
number of throws(ST, DT for example).  Pole is terminal, throw is switch
button or lever.

 

SPST has two terminals, switch connects and disconnects terminals from each
other

DPST has four terminals, and is essentially 2 SPST switches controlled by
one switch.

 

Those are the two most common found.  Switch described by OP sounds like
DPST.  Think of a light switch in your house, put two side by side, and lock
the two toggles together so there is one lever and four contacts.

 

Simple switches generally do not control ground.  They simply break the
connection between the device and power or device and ground.  With switch
in one position, there will not be any continuity between more than 2
contacts, move switch to other position and you will likely see continuity
between all 4 contacts.  Think of contacts being "in" and "out", and you
will have 2 of each normally in a DPST.

 

There is actually a pretty good description on Wikipedia regarding switch
types.  The vast majority of switches are simple switches, so no real need
to study switches beyond the basic SPST, DPST, and DPDT.

 

Note that switches have a voltage\current rating.  It is common for an
automotive switch to be used in conjunction with a relay.

doug

 

From: MikeLDrew at aol.com [mailto:MikeLDrew at aol.com] 
Sent: Thursday, September 19, 2013 10:57 PM
To: doug at pickbbs.com; tpoemer at gmail.com; detomaso at poca.com
Subject: Re: [DeTomaso] (no subject)

 


In a message dated 9/19/13 17 16 53, doug at pickbbs.com
<mailto:doug at pickbbs.com>  writes:





If the switch has 4 connections and 2 positions (like 'on' and 'off'), then
I think you will find that two connections are for power and the other two
for ground. 



>>>Electricity is FAR from my strong suit, but I doubt there would be any
ground connections on a switch.  Normally, items in the car are permanently
grounded to the chassis, and controlled with a switch which interrupts the
flow of power.  On the rocker switches, I think they have a single power
input, and a bunch of outputs, not all of which are used.  The headlight
switch, for instance, has one output that powers the taillights, front and
side marker lights and the interior lights, and a second one that powers the
relay which raises the headlight buckets, and also powers the headlights
(or, if the owner has modified the car, powers the relays which power the
headlights).

The blank switch is a generic switch with no actual function, but
fortunately they made it capable of function.  I don't know if all the
electrical tangs are rigged up or not?  You'd have to test that with an
ohmmeter.  But I would presume it has one input and (up to) three outputs?

Don't forget to incorporate a fuse in your circuit, if you use that switch
to power a component.

Cheers!

Mike

_______________________________________________

Detomaso Forum Managed by POCA

DeTomaso mailing list
DeTomaso at poca.com
http://poca.com/mailman/listinfo/detomaso