3-way cap switch with on-off-on

[skrunk]

I'm trying to make a cap switch for a rangemaster using an on-off-on switch, but I'm a bit confused about it.

Will this work right?



If the switch is on one of the 'on' positions, isn't the signal going to go through the 0.0068uf also?
Is there some kind of adding of cap values going on this way, or does the larger value just take precedence?
I know with resistors, the signal takes the path of least resistance, but is there a similar rule for caps?
Just can't get my head around it.
Thanks.

[MikeH]

Caps add up in parallel (opposite of resistors), so typically you put the smallest in the middle- let's say for example it's 0.001uf.  On each of the outer poles we put a 0.1uf and a 0.01uf.  In the middle we get 0.001uf, to one side we get 0.101uf (0.1 + 0.001) which is basically the same as 0.1uf, and in the other position we get 0.011uf (0.01 + 0.001), which is, you guessed it, basically the same as 0.01 uF.

Make sense?

[Slade]

Yes, that will work right

[skrunk]

thanks guys! that makes sense now.
so if I got this right....

the 3 positions will give me
1. 0.0068uf (center)
2. 0.0168uf (up)
3. 0.0538 (down)

[stringsthings]

thanks guys! that makes sense now.
so if I got this right....

the 3 positions will give me
1. 0.0068uf (center)
2. 0.0168uf (up)
3. 0.0538 (down)

yes