I want to build a custom switch box with 5 or 6 switches with the first Switch being a Master"All On" switch and the other switches still be able to operate independently from the master. Does anyone know how to wire this? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Custom Switch Box
- Thread starter ceavers30
- Start date
toon80
Member
You might find useful infos here:
http://elightbars.org/forums/f32/diy-switchbox-less-then-%2420-3912/
http://elightbars.org/forums/f32/diy-switchbox-less-then-%2420-3912/
Wire the switches in parallel instead of in series.
I know very little about little about electric work what does that mean?
I know very little about little about electric work what does that mean?
blackcherryxj
Member
Basically, wire the output of the master switch, to the inputs of all of the "slave" switches. This only allows current to the slave switches when the master is on. I can probally take some pictures of the 7 switch panel I built in a couple days if you need a photo.
Paul
Paul
Actually, that's the opposite of what I was describing. That's a master off and is in series. This is a master on, in parallel.blackcherryxj said:
On a new note, while this isn't what I was describing before but is something I drew up that's a much more practical setup. One SPTT as a master and as many SPDTs as you want to control stuff with. SPTT pole #1 to the closed pole of the SPDTs, SPTT pole #2 to the open poles of the SPDTs, and pole #3 of the SPTT is unused. This allows the SPTT to be used as a master on (position 1), select (position 2), or master off (position 3) with minimal complexity.
Here:
Thread has long been dead, but EDIT:
It does not require diodes. It could be done better with one diode, but what is drawn does not require diodes.
Last edited by a moderator:
EVModules
Member
Makes sense,
You can use diodes but it'd require relays to operate. What you have would work but would require the master to be a two position switch with an off position like you have. There's a toggle switch that does offer an "off-on1-on2" rather than the common "on-off-on" configuration.
Two choices, build your own with switches that offers two positions or build your own using diodes with relays but you'd still need the master to be a two position switch.
You can use diodes but it'd require relays to operate. What you have would work but would require the master to be a two position switch with an off position like you have. There's a toggle switch that does offer an "off-on1-on2" rather than the common "on-off-on" configuration.
Two choices, build your own with switches that offers two positions or build your own using diodes with relays but you'd still need the master to be a two position switch.
I have 1 on-off-on switch for master and 4 lighted on-off switches how do I wire it? If you have a diagram that would be great.
Thanks
Thanks
EVModules
Member
Wire the individual switches to relays. Because the relays are doing all the work, the switches does not have to be heavy duty.
From the "all on" position of the master switch, wire them each individually to the same circuit that is between the individual switches and the relay. For each individual wire, put a diode with the band side towards the circuit. Think of the diodes as a one-way valve with the band side indicating the side the current flows out of. Switching the master "all on" will trigger all relays regardless of the individual switch settings by flowing the current through the individual diodes to each relay. With the individual switches used, the current won't flow back up towards the master switch.
From the "all on" position of the master switch, wire them each individually to the same circuit that is between the individual switches and the relay. For each individual wire, put a diode with the band side towards the circuit. Think of the diodes as a one-way valve with the band side indicating the side the current flows out of. Switching the master "all on" will trigger all relays regardless of the individual switch settings by flowing the current through the individual diodes to each relay. With the individual switches used, the current won't flow back up towards the master switch.
blackcherryxj
Member
SafetyLighting
Member
EVModules said:
Sean, you're better at this than me and I'm tired, but couldn't he use a SPTT for the master and use SPST ON-ON switches for the outputs?
You can use an on/off/on just as well as any SPTT. In fact many on/off/on are actually SPTT (but don't have a #2 throw), I don't see what's so hard about this.
Yes relays would work, but that's unnecessarily complex given the potential load. The fewer components the better. Remember to get a master that is rated well higher than the maximum total load.
Oh and as for fuses, fuse each line individually (haw/radio/bar/takedowns etc) not just the master.
Yes relays would work, but that's unnecessarily complex given the potential load. The fewer components the better. Remember to get a master that is rated well higher than the maximum total load.
Oh and as for fuses, fuse each line individually (haw/radio/bar/takedowns etc) not just the master.