Wiring a 6-selection rotary switch

[Bucksears]

Never wired one before, and noticed that there are two in the center and twelve around the outside. i.e. one pair in the center, six opposing pairs around the knob.

How do the wires connect for the selections? Can you just use one out of each pair and be done with it or is it necessary for the 'mate' in each pair to be connected also?

Thanks,
- Buck
www.bucksears.com

[zener]

It is actually a DP6T switch.



The red line represents the link between a fixed lug and one of the six selection lugs. As you turn the shaft, the other fixed lug is also turned. You can check the connections with multimeter.

Where are you going to use it? Most probably, you'll only need one half of it.

Check this one:


It only uses one half of a rotary switch.

[Leandro]

I'm just conjecturing here, but it looks like you've got a 2P6T switch (that is, a six-position, two-circuit switch).  I've never used a rotary switch, but I've looked into a few datasheets, and it probably works like this:

Each pair of opposing outer lugs is connected at a given moment to one of the two center lugs.

If you have a multimeter with a continuity tester, you can try out my theory by putting one probe on one of the center lugs, and find the outer lug that connects to it (BEEP!).  Then, change the first probe to the other center lug, and the second probe to the outer lug opposite the one you found earlier.

In conclusion, each of the center lugs should be switchable to six different, non-overlapping outer lugs.

   Good luck!

[Bucksears]

Thanks, Zener.
Actually, that wah mod is EXACTLY what I'm using it for. I'm also using a toggle to switch between two different resistors to change the sharpness.

Thanks again!
- Buck
www.bucksears.com

[zener]

How nice  

Actually, I've just finished the selectable ranges mod in my DIY wah. With the sharpness, i just add a 100k trimpot in series with the 33k that parallels the inductor. The whole project is in tonepad.

Take note that the illustration is meant only to give you an idea how it works and does not 100% resembles the real thing. My rotary switch has a total of 13 lugs, the extra lug cannot be selected though.