WHICH SWITCH?? Help choose the correct toggle switch.

[LeftCoast]

Hi all,

Need a switch question answered, but wiring's not my forte. Any help selecting the correct switch and wiring tips would be very appreciated.

I need one push button toggle switch (not a momentary switch; just on-off) that will alternate between two devices (say an 80mm case fan and a 120mm case fan). In other words, when the switch is depressed (it stays pressed), the 80mm fan is on, while the 120 is off. Then, when pressed again (or released), the 80 is turned off while the 120 is turned on. I'm thinking to accomplish this I will need a DPDT (double-pole,double-throw) switch, but obviously being a wiring newb am not certain. Basically, I want one switch to perform the functions of two SPST switches that would always be in opposite positions, if that makes better sense.

Again, any wiring tips/advice you could give would be most appreciated.

[TheBlueFace]

I want an off/on button for light in my case, I bought one switch at xoxide, but need wiring help.

[originel]

well you can always get a 3 way switch. they usually have a center "dead" area where both devices would be off. Other than that i'd recommend just hunting around radio shack. As for the wiring that could be fun. Do you know how to solder?

[LeftCoast]

Originally Posted by originel

well you can always get a 3 way switch. they usually have a center "dead" area where both devices would be off. Other than that i'd recommend just hunting around radio shack. As for the wiring that could be fun. Do you know how to solder?

I think I can solder enough for this project! I'd really prefer a push button toggle switch, if possible.

[LeftCoast]

Bump!

[originel]

I guess just look around on sites like www.mouser.com and www.digikey.com for a push button switch. Have you been to radio shack yet? they have a ton of switches (at least where i live they do).

What i'm thinking is this switch should have 4 leads on the bottom of it. You'll find the hot wire (probably the 12v) that is powering the fan and cut it, soldering each lead to one end of the cut wire.

[LeftCoast]

The more I think about it, I'm thinking I need a SPDT push button switch...

Thanks for sticking with me on this one,originel. I've see the digikey site (a real muthuh to find what you need), but I'll check out mouser as well.

[originel]

yeah, digikey can be a real pain, but they're pretty reliable and have a lot of stuff. you just really have to know what you are looking for.

btw, here's a search for a bunch of switches that look like they will work.

[sweeper2]

sounds to me you would need a relay with one contact NO and another NC , but when pwr is supplied to the relay coil, it would close the NO contact and open the NC contact. It would have to be wired in conjuction with a pwr switch, kinda like you would use to turn on/off your pc.


http://www.installdr.com/TechDocs/999403.pdf

http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/wwg...anchSearch.jsp

you could try ^^^^ there also... look up if you have one in your area...

hope this helps a little

[TypicalNuser]

Try looking for a SPST push button switch that has has a switching function of "on-on". SPST of this type may be hard to find so a DPDT will do fine. There are 3 terminals on this switch(SPST)- usually solder type. The center being the common or center pole connection. Solder your supply gnd (from power supply or connector) lead here then solder the each negative lead of the the two fans to the outer terminals of the switch. Finally connect the two red leads from the fans to the B+ side of power supply or connector.
The only reason why your switching the gnd instead of the B+ at the switch is that, if for any reason a metal portion of the case or screwdriver touches these leads it won't short-out the power supply.
Thanks to Originel for doing the leg work, this "type" of switch should do the trick:
http://dkc3.digikey.com/PDF/T042/1015.pdf
part number - CKN4016-ND(digi-key)