what kind of switch is this?

Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: Lights, Neon, LEDs, HIDs
Forum Discription: Under Car Lighting, Strobe Lights, Fog Lights, Headlights, HIDs, DRL, Tail Lights, Brake Lights, Dashboard Lights, WigWag, etc.
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=108444
Printed Date: May 10, 2025 at 6:55 PM

Topic: what kind of switch is this?

Posted By: bigjohnny
Subject: what kind of switch is this?
Date Posted: October 26, 2008 at 9:42 PM

This is a switch that was on a circuit board.
I need to replace this with a switch that i can mount in my dashboard.

This switch has 3 positions, this is a drawing of what the switch looks like inside, the red portion is the slide that makes the connections.

Im not sure what type of switch this is or if i can even find something to replace it that ISN'T PCB mounted.

any help would be appreciated.

posted_image

Replies:

Posted By: i am an idiot
Date Posted: October 26, 2008 at 9:50 PM

You will have to remove the switch and use some small ribbon cable to extend the switch to wherever you want to install it.

It is a double pole triple throw switch. It is used for a crossover selector switch, One position for each, full range, high pass and low pass.

Posted By: bigjohnny
Date Posted: October 26, 2008 at 10:22 PM

i am an idiot wrote:

You will have to remove the switch and use some small ribbon cable to extend the switch to wherever you want to install it.

It is a double pole triple throw switch. It is used for a crossover selector switch, One position for each, full range, high pass and low pass.

its actually from a light flasher.... on/flash/solid.

I just want to make sure i have the right switch, making it remote is no problem.

Here are actual pics of it.

Assembled, position 1, 2 and 3.

posted_image

Posted By: i am an idiot
Date Posted: October 27, 2008 at 1:46 AM

If you are needing the switch, you can find one in just about every car amplifier that has a 3 position crossover switch. You can find 2 of them in a 4 channel amplifier.

Posted By: bigjohnny
Date Posted: October 27, 2008 at 6:30 AM

what i need is more of a toggle/rocker switch, not a slider, though a good quality slider may suffice i dont know.

I dont want to put a tiny little switch on my dash, i have big hands, and need a slighty larger switch :)

Posted By: i am an idiot
Date Posted: October 27, 2008 at 12:08 PM

The only way I have seen such a configuration is on those slider switches.

Posted By: KPierson
Date Posted: October 27, 2008 at 1:29 PM

They call those DP3T switches.

They have a few on Digikey.com - here is one that looks promising:(https://search.digikey.com/scripts/DkSearch/dksus.dll?Detail?name=679-1228-ND)

You will just to verify in the datasheet that it switches the exact same way (ie one in per side and three outs per side).

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Kevin Pierson

Posted By: bigjohnny
Date Posted: October 27, 2008 at 5:24 PM

Ive been toying with the idea of a rotary switch also.

I think a rotary switch might work the same way, and a local store by me has one thats configurable in how many connections it has.

Im not sure, maybe i'll use a slider, i really dont like fumbling with them though.

Posted By: KPierson
Date Posted: October 27, 2008 at 5:31 PM

Do a search for DP3T on Digikey.com - they have a nice selection of switchs, including rotary, rocker, toggle, slide, etc.

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Kevin Pierson

Posted By: bigjohnny
Date Posted: October 28, 2008 at 7:20 AM

ive been checking digikey, but most of their switches dont have pics, which is something i personally need so i can get an idea of what the switch looks like.

also alot of them dont have links to datasheets etc.

Ive been unable to find a rocker/toggle that functions this way so far, but im damn certain they have to exist.

Posted By: fhsfiremanco1
Date Posted: December 08, 2008 at 7:35 PM

check here alliedelec.com

Posted By: bigjohnny
Date Posted: December 12, 2008 at 3:52 PM

thanks man ill check it out.

one idea im toying with is to wire it with two switches.... a master switch that will turn it on or off, and another hidden switch to change it from flash to solid.