Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum

Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: Fuzzguitar on August 12, 2004, 10:00:47 am

Title: Can I convert a slide switch to a toggle?
Post by: Fuzzguitar on August 12, 2004, 10:00:47 am
Recently bought this;

http://www.flexiglowhk.com/website_files/products/Lazer.htm

but would like to know if I can convert it's slide switch (which sounds a lot like a "3 Position 3 Pole" Jaycar sell) to a toggle style switch.

I'm interested because toggles mount through a round hole and would be much easier to do on my metal panel. Would I need to get a "3 Pole Double Throw" (on-none-on) to do it? I'm a novice at electronics really but this seems possible to me as the slide is set up like this too: on-off-flashing (on-none-on)

Oh, forgot to say - click on Retail Packing to see exactly how I bought it. It cost $24.95 from Dick Smith Electronics.
Title: Re:Can I convert a slide switch to a toggle?
Post by: Tiger-Heli on August 12, 2004, 10:29:13 am
I'm pretty sure you can.  I don't see any reason it wouldn't work, but I'm not an electronics expert, either.
Title: Re:Can I convert a slide switch to a toggle?
Post by: ericball on August 12, 2004, 12:45:09 pm
First figure out what is connected to the switch - AC, 5V DC, 48V DC?  Switches have voltage & current ratings.  Replacing it with something higher is typically okay assuming you're not dealing with micro-voltages & currents where switch resistance is critical.

Next, you need to determine the number of poles (the number of conductors which are switched).  So a double-pole switch can control two conduction paths (e.g. a stereo A-B switch, which has left and right conduction paths).

Finally, you need to know what the switch does with those conduction paths.  The basic ones are (but there are many others):
momentary contact is like a button, it is only on as long as you hold it
single throw is like a normal light switch, on - off
double throw is like an A-B switch, on - on

Then take that info and start looking for an equivalent toggle switch which meets your needs (and is panel mount  and the size you want).