I got some of these for wiring up some lights and my compressor. I liked the look of them.

Anyways, I have been having a problem trying to wire them. There are 4 prongs instead of three, and it is is really throwing me off. When the switch is in the "OFF" position, I am getting a short circuit. When it is "ON", everything works accordingly.

My question is, do I need to be running 2 relays with one switch? I was planning on running 2 aux. light relays, but, I don't have it yet... I'd imagine it wouldn't be a problem, but, maybe it is.

Here's the wiring diagram (For a 6 prong (its a DPDT), I only have the bottom 4 prongs)



I've got the low amp hot wire coming in @ 5, and the ground @ 2. (Where my short is, and it makes sense since there is no resistance). And my pos output to the relay is @ 1.

Any ideas on what to do? Sorry, all the switches I've used just had 3 prongs and were straight forward

 

The schematic for a DPST switch looks as follows:


Each pin represents one of those switch ends, so you have to make sure you're hooking everything up right. do a continuity test and write down which pin is what.

 

Right, I understand that its basically like two switches held together with one handle...

According to this analogy, you don't really need a ground for the switch, like other 3-prong switches then, correct?

Just a hot in, and hot out to the acc. relay, right?

I don't have a multimeter to do a cont. test, I need to buy one Thanks for the quick reply!

BTW- This is an LED light, so I guess they don't need grounds.. duhh..

 

they're only 9.99 for a cheap one at sears. i got the digital one for 14.99 when it was on sale- definitely one of my best purchases! (used it countless times trying to diagnose electrical problems on my old 87 toy pickup.)

sorry i can't help with your problem, but just a push to get that meter! good luck

 

Crap, I still cannot understand this!! What gives? I think I've tried every wire at every position. Maybe I just burned out the switch at this point.. haha.

Figures though, I always seem to screw up simple projects.

 

the only reason the switch would need a ground is if it has a light in indicating if is on or off

 

Yes, it has an LED light. Did not know if they need grounds or not. I think they do, but, maybe not?

 

So I tried using the other switch I bought. It works. The other one shorts out, and the LED does not work.... uhmmmmmm