XingXing

hi i got a switch, its got a light on it... it has 3 terminals,

Two are small and one in the center is taller

How do i go about wiring it up?

Phatkat

iTrader: (14)

One to the middle, one to either side.

XingXing

so black in the middle and red to either side?

Phatkat

iTrader: (14)

Sorry, shoulda been clearer. I meant one on only one side. You only need two, and it will only work in one position. If I remember right, that is a DPST switch, or double pole single throw.

XingXing

i do this, it works in one direction, but when i flick the switch it shorts....

Black is in the middle , red is on on of the side

Phatkat

iTrader: (14)

You're completing a circuit with that, and have no load. What is that anyway?

XingXing

12v distribution block with 4 outlets... with the one switch controlling all 4 outlets

ford_racing

iTrader: (6)

This switch has to be in either the 12v pos or 12v neg wire, not both as it will short out

XingXing

like this? red split in between and the black on the middle terminal

the switch is a on/off switch with a light on it.....

pyrosian

The positive wire should go from the power supply to one pole of the switch, then continue on to the jacks.

Positive -------- switch -----O----O----O----O

Negative --------------------O----O----O----O

The switch controls power to the entire circuit. The device that you plug into the jacks complete the circuit. As you havre it at the moment when you flick the switch you are connecting positive directly to negative with no load on the circuit which will equal a dead short. With the above circuit when no device is plugged in and the switch is on the circuit is still open and won't short out.

XingXing

ok i do this, it seems to work...

Positive --- middle terminal switch ---- space ---outer terminal on switch ---O--O--O--O

Negative -----------O----O----O----O

but it doesnt give me 13.8v ... only puts out 11volts

pyrosian

Yep thats exactly right. As far as output goes 11v should be enough for most things. Check your output on the powersupply if that is 13.8V it simply means there is alot of resistance in the wiring. Shorter wires, neat and quick solder joints and using higher quality connectors would/should lower resistance.

XingXing

there must be a heck of alot of resistance between the switch, coz when i directly hook it up to the 4 terminals, it still gives me the 13v that my PS gives out,

the 11v wont even run a fan. when i put a fan the voltage drops to 2.8v on my multimeter.

pyrosian

11V should easily turn over a fan. I have run 12V fans straight off my 7.2V packs before and they run fine. If you did accidently short out the box earlier you may have damaged your powersupply. If you have access to a DC clamp type multimeter you may want to test how many amps that unit is throwing out.

XingXing

PS is still ok. i power my charger and fan direct from my PS works fine.

Not sure why the voltage on the distributor block drops to 2v when i connect a fan (fan does not even spin)

oh well i give up on the switch now.