Who knows their toggle switches?

G

gsxr150

Seaman
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Sep 24, 2010
Messages
51
It's not an electical wiring problem I have, but rather finding the right switch! What is the 6th post for on a 6-post on-off-on toggle switch? I need a replacement, but there is slim pickings on 6-post illuminated switches. Besides the one I found here, are there any other good stores to find these switches? I need one that is brushed aluminum red led. What a pain... Larson wants to charge near $50 for a $10 switch.
 
Brentathon

Brentathon

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Dec 29, 2009
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Re: Who knows their toggle switches?

The switch doesn't have any part number or manufacturing information on it?
My dash has switches made from Carlingswitch.....and I was able to order them through mouser.com
 
J

jollymon

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Re: Who knows their toggle switches?

I second the mouser.com. If they do not have it, good luck finding it.

My boat is a 1986 Regal. I need new circuit breakers, some of mine kept popping for no reason, well almost no reason. Hit a wake and they would pop. I pulled one out, there was a number on the breaker, no manufactuer, just a number. Went on Mousers web site, searched for the number, and there was the breaker that I needed. I have used them for a couple of other electrical parts as well.
 
Silvertip

Silvertip

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Re: Who knows their toggle switches?

A six terminal ON-OFF-ON switch is merely two -- three terminal switches in one package operated by a single lever or button. The three terminals on one side constitute one switch and the three on the other the second switch. A switch with an indicator in it will have a seventh terminal. That is the ground terminal for the internal light.
 
G

gsxr150

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Re: Who knows their toggle switches?

Brentathon said:
The switch doesn't have any part number or manufacturing information on it?
My dash has switches made from Carlingswitch.....and I was able to order them through mouser.com
Click to expand...

I know it's Carling but I'll have to check a model number tonight. My boat is Larson. It's a lighted toggle for my accessories, something like on-off-on. And I think it has 6 posts. Tought to find!
 
G

gsxr150

Seaman
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Re: Who knows their toggle switches?

Silvertip said:
A six terminal ON-OFF-ON switch is merely two -- three terminal switches in one package operated by a single lever or button. The three terminals on one side constitute one switch and the three on the other the second switch. A switch with an indicator in it will have a seventh terminal. That is the ground terminal for the internal light.
Click to expand...

Ah ha! So that might mean "double pole". Anyhow a 6 or 7 terminal lighted switch is not an easy find.
 
cr2k

cr2k

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Mar 19, 2009
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Re: Who knows their toggle switches?

Check NAPA. They may not have in stock but have a good selection and usually available overnight.
 
seabob4

seabob4

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Jun 10, 2008
Messages
1,603
Re: Who knows their toggle switches?

I buy them all the time for nav light switches, both toggle and rocker. Here's a diagram for wiring both a DPDT or SPDT w/diode for nav lgts...
NavSwitchWiring-1.jpg


You guys ought to re-wire boats for a living. http://shop.genuinedealz.com/Items/...e=Marine Panel Switch DPDT On-Off-On Red lens
 
G

gsxr150

Seaman
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Sep 24, 2010
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G

gsxr150

Seaman
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Sep 24, 2010
Messages
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Re: Who knows their toggle switches?

Ok, last question...guess I'm going to get technical. What is double pole vs. single pole? It seems like I'm finding on/off/on switches in both double and single pole.
 
A

ac0j

Petty Officer 3rd Class
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Apr 26, 2011
Messages
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Re: Who knows their toggle switches?

double pole means it can control 2 seperate circuits (hence the 6 conections) single pole only one (only 3 connections). Single throw is off/on double throw is on/off/on make sure it is NOT a momenary contact switch, that would be spring loaded like a tilt/trim switch.
 
G

gsxr150

Seaman
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Sep 24, 2010
Messages
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Re: Who knows their toggle switches?

Great! Thanks to all that helped! I think I found my switch on ebay.
 
Icyharp

Icyharp

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Apr 27, 2011
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Re: Who knows their toggle switches?

Thanks for the link seabob4, I had been looking for my switch for awhile. PERFECT match for the ole Crest'y
 
R

Randy J

Petty Officer 2nd Class
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Oct 24, 2009
Messages
170
Re: Who knows their toggle switches?

geeze why dont ya just check out radio shack ?
 
Icyharp

Icyharp

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Re: Who knows their toggle switches?

Randy J said:
geeze why dont ya just check out radio shack ?
Click to expand...

I did, and nothing for me

I was looking for an exact replacement, not just any switch like I have now.
 
AZSenza

AZSenza

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Mar 11, 2008
Messages
521
Re: Who knows their toggle switches?

Ha, I sent the wife to Radio Shack too, looking for a DPDT 6 contact Mom on-off- Mom on. He just laughed and said no we dont have anything like that. She wound up at a marine store, found a 7 terminal but the guy said it wont work cause of the 7th terminal (the 7th is for a lighted switch, ya it would have worked) scary that the parts guys dont know what they have. Anyway, I found what i was looking for on the net, I need it to control an electric motor (reversing) this switch is already rigged for that so I only have to make 4 connections instead of 6.
 
Silvertip

Silvertip

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Re: Who knows their toggle switches?

Every Radio Shack store I've ever been in has a very nice selection of them. It is the Yo-Ho behind the counter that doesn't know a resistor from a diode. It is just best to bypass them and head for the cabinets with all the little drawers. The drawers labeled SWITCHES is where to look.
 
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