Two way switch

[PcHistorian]

Wow, my hat's off to both of you,
(on-on) and (on off on) - @brian_bp
on off on (both) - @Larwyn
And I was doing this stuff as a kid, and repaired computers you walk through.


I'm amazed that this forum stopped years ago. You guys have brought so many ideas to mind. One is "here's my initial 110vac wiring schematic."
http://sites.google.com/site/pchistoria ... jpg-02.jpg



(I'll try and post it again to this site, in case google ever goes belly up.)

The (on-on) switch (outside) with the (on-off-on) switch (inside) is a really cool idea. I suppose with the advent of the LED lights to 12 volt systems, (um I'll put in the resistor color code here when I get the chance.) you could leave an outside light on a deep cycle battery for years, probably.

And the center position on an on-off-on switch could really screw up a newbie, even if it was wired correctly in the first place. (center off would defeat the idea behind the 3-way circuit)

I did use an "on-off-on" for a great use though back when I had my van, I re-wired the back "dome" to it so that the switch, just inside the doorway would be, "on-over-ride/on-no-matter-what", "off-no-matter-what", and "On-if-the-door-was-open."

my current design of 110v-ac does have a 3 way circuit, (my door and the head of the bed are at two different ends of the trailer), and I have an "outside switched outlet" from inside.
(see above schematic and the link to my pictures on the google site.)

Hmmmm, but I have LOADS of LED's to incorporate yet... Hmmmm. ;-)
And a laser, come to think of it... :-)


(on-on) and (on off on) - brian_bp
on off on (both) - Larwyn

An ON-ON SPDT switch (the normal "three way") outside, plus an ON-OFF-ON SPDT switch inside (is on-off-on considered single pole 3 throws?) ahrge!

(which could be used to defeat the outside switch as brian_bp mentioned) would be a nice setup.

heck, I'm still debating with myself, should the 110vac and the 12vdc both be grounded to the frame?

[eamarquardt]

Could some of the electrical experts out there help me remember how to wire a two way switch. At one point I knew how to do this, but the knowledge has since left me. My trailer system is going to be 12v. Do I use this switch which can be found at
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000BPF8GA?smid=ADFRQ5K4I2LNR&tag=nextag-sports-mp-20&linkCode=asn
and a matching on/off rocker switch? If so, could you remind me of the wiring? If I am completely off base, pointing me in the right direction would be appreciated!
Thanks, Jim

This switch is a "single pole, single throw switch". It is a on-off switch.

I'm assuming you want to control a single light from either of two separate switches, which is commonly known as 3-way switching.

You need to get switches that are described as SPDT (single pole double throw) with an ON-ON contact arrangement. Like these:


Part # 7700018 ($ 2.61 ea.) at DelCity.net
NOTE: Be sure not to get ON-OFF-ON or (ON)-OFF-(ON) switches, because they will not work correctly in this application.

I would wire these as follows:



Hope this helps.

Joe G.

Joe is correct the switches he is showing are single pole double throw switches. When used to control a light from two different locations they are commonly called three way switches but that is a bit misleading.

A on-off-on switch is typically called a single pole (or how many poles (circuits) it will switch) double throw, center off switch.

Hope this helps.

Cheers,

Gus