Single Pole Triple Throw Switch- HELP!?

[lessthanlights]

I'm wiring my reef and need several Single Pole Triple Throw switches. My lights, chiller, fans ect will be hooked up and controlled by an ACjr but I would like a master control switch to turn those items on and off independanlty of the ACjr. I'm not an expert but I think I need a SPTT (or maybe just a 3-way??) switch but cannot find any ANYWHERE that will safely handle the amps required. Where can I find one or is there a better way to do this?

<img src="http://www.pointzerophotography.com/switch.jpg" border="0"><br>

 

[Qwiv]

Why don't you just use the manual control on the ACjr?

 

[lessthanlights]

The Acjr will be inside the stand and I would rather have master switches outside and more easily accessible. And I don't want to thumb through a menu when I could flick a switch.

 

[BeanAnimal]

I have designed and built 8 Channel boards to do just this (with indicators lights and a lot of other bells and whistles). I am not ready to offer these up for DIY consumption just yet...

In any case I suggest using DPDT toggles that are in the ON-OFF-ON configuration.

POLE 1 will be used to switch the HOT
POLE 2 will be used to switch the NEUTRAL

WHy? better safe than sorry and we don't want any other wiring mistakes to energize the neutral or accidently tie two branch circuits together (AC jur plugged into one circuit, your manual power into the other).

Now for the HOW:

Simply wire the DEVICE to the COMMON TERMINALS of the switch. Wire the OUTPUT of the ACJR to one set of terminal and mains power to the OTHER set of terminals.

FLIP the switch UP and the AC power comes from the ACJRs output, the device only runs when the ACjr tells it to.

FLIP the switch to the center and the device is OFF no matter what the ACJR tells it to do.

FLIP the switch DOWN and the device is ON no matter what the ACJR tells it to do.

I would get 15A toggles to be safe (20A if it is a 20A breaker).

You can also look for HOA (Hand Off Automatic) switches on ebay. You want stationary switches, not spring return. These are the big switches you find on the front of big equipment and elextric switch gear. Allen Bradley, GE, Cuttler Hammer etc. They will do the same thing, but look industrial and be a lot more durable.


Bean

 

[lessthanlights]

Thanks Bean- you just saved me a huge headache! That's exaclty what I need.

 

[Qwiv]

Ok, then you should look for a rotary switch ot a TPTT Slide/toggle switch. On the slide/toggle swich, you connect all the terminals on one side of the switch. Radia shack caries these rated up to (3) amps. They have some heavy duty ones at (6) amps.

Or look into these.
http://www.nkkswitches.com/shownews.asp?id=173
They make nice switches.
http://www.nkkswitches.com/pdf/stogglesmedhighcap.pdf

 

[LOTUS50GOD]

This may seem like a stupid observation, but why not use aquanotes to manually turn things on an off.

 

[BeanAnimal]

NOt trying to confuse things here... but what in the world would you need a tripple pole tripple throw switch for QWIV?

You could get away with a Single Pole Switch, but to be safe we want to use a Double Pole so that both the HOT and NEUTRAL are switched.

You only need a DOUBLE THROW, CENTER OFF switch.
Double Throw Switches come in several flavors
ON-ON
ON-OFF-ON
ON-ON-OFF

A Tripple Throw Switch would be
ON-ON-ON
OFF-ON-ON-ON
ON-OFF-ON-ON
ON-ON-OFF-ON
ON-ON-ON-OFF

Anyway....

You can get away with a switch that is rated above an amp or two above your inteneded load.... However the SAFE thing to do is use a switch rated to the capacity of the breaker.

 

[lessthanlights]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8120746#post8120746 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by LOTUS50GOD
This may seem like a stupid observation, but why not use aquanotes to manually turn things on an off.

I won't have a computer permanently attached to the controller for aquanotes, I don't want to thumb through a menu, and I don't want to reach under the stand to unplug/turn off a light if I need it off. It's just like a remote control on a tv- easy access to channels but this is easy access to my equip. The switches will be neatly mounted outside the stand and will require a simple flick to turn everything on and off. No fumbling, no searching, no menus, no aquanotes just a simple switch. I just didn’t know the type of switch needed.


This is what I found- it's a DPDT 15amp toggle switch ON-OFF-ON. Kind of spendy at 7.71 a pop but should make a nice control panel.

http://www.digikey.com/scripts/DkSearch/dksus.dll?Detail?Ref=196800&Row=136114&Site=US

 

[BeanAnimal]

you can get em on ebay for $4 once in a while.