Best way to wire a 3PDT?

[DWBH]

What's the best way to wire a 3PDT, in order to connect connect the lowest number of wires to it?

[5thumbs]

I personally like the arrangement shown on pg 11 of this doc: http://www.diystompboxes.com/DIYFiles/up/Build_Your_Own_DS-1_Distortion.pdf.  It the FX input wire is still electrically connected during bypass, which makes for quieter switching.

[ItZaLLgOOd]

Check the Offboard Wiring project at TonePad. I printed them all out and keep them handy.

[hellwood]

look for skreddy. ive tried them all and been very pissed off many times. his never let me down. its probably here somewhere: http://skreddypedals.com/

[DWBH]

look for skreddy. ive tried them all and been very pissed off many times. his never let me down. its probably here somewhere: http://skreddypedals.com/

Should I email him or is there some image/reference to it on his website?

[mydementia]

I use this one from GGG for everything (usually without the battery): http://www.generalguitargadgets.com/diagrams/switch_lo_3pdt_ig_dcjack.gif
Not really a 'minimum wires' solution - but a good habit to get into is grounding the input when off (especially when you start building effects known to 'leak' in bypass'.
Mike

[96ecss]

I use this one from GGG for everything (usually without the battery): http://www.generalguitargadgets.com/diagrams/switch_lo_3pdt_ig_dcjack.gif
Mike

+1 on this one from GGG.

Dave

[Dragonfly]

I use this method...Barber does too.

[jakenold]

Why not put the input at ground when you have the chance?

I can usually ommit the input pull down that way. I listen to the circuit and see which resistor that has the worst effect on the signal, remove that resistor and ground the input or output, depending on which resistor I removed.

Jake

[5thumbs]

Why not put the input at ground when you have the chance?

I can usually ommit the input pull down that way. I listen to the circuit and see which resistor that has the worst effect on the signal, remove that resistor and ground the input or output, depending on which resistor I removed.

Jake

I'm with Jake on this one.  The 3PDT wiring diagram in the doc I referenced before keeps the FX input grounded upon bypass.  FWIW, it's identical to the 3PDT wiring in the "Offboard Wiring 5" scheme Tonepad gives in their offboard wiring doc (http://www.tonepad.com/getFileInfo.asp?id=76).

I used to use the method Dragonfly/Barber provided, but I found the "FX input grounded on bypass" method resulted in less clicks and pops, so I've been wiring them that way ever since.

[hellwood]

look for skreddy. ive tried them all and been very pissed off many times. his never let me down. its probably here somewhere: http://skreddypedals.com/

Should I email him or is there some image/reference to it on his website?

OK, with the switch upside down and the terminals horizontally oriented reading across the top row from left to right, then center row, etc.
1. LED-      2.input jack   3.board out
4.ground    5.board in     6.output jack
7.ground    8.ground      9.input jack

ive seen analogman agree that this one was the real deal (if that gives this any credibility) and trust me there are few things as annoying as bad switch wiring!

[DWBH]

I don't understand what you guys are talking about
Grounded input when bypassed? Sorry for the noobiness, but could you explain me what's the deal here?

[hellwood]

I don't understand what you guys are talking about
Grounded input when bypassed? Sorry for the noobiness, but could you explain me what's the deal here?

just do it! it could prevent popping when using the switch. thats all you need to know for now. good luck!

[DWBH]

I can understand how a DPDT is connected, but a 3PDT.... it's different. MUCH different.

[hellwood]

I can understand how a DPDT is connected, but a 3PDT.... it's different. MUCH different.

it depends on how you compare the two. the 3PDT just has one more row of terminals(an extra switch). aron has a cool diagram somewhere.

[Dragonfly]

I used to use the method Dragonfly/Barber provided, but I found the "FX input grounded on bypass" method resulted in less clicks and pops, so I've been wiring them that way ever since.

Hmmm....

in the hundreds of pedals Ive built using this wiring, I havent had any issues...I'm assuming Dave Barber hasn't either since he still uses it.

not really a "right" or "wrong" way...just a personal preference thing.

[moro]

just do it! it could prevent popping when using the switch. thats all you need to know for now. good luck!

As a newbie, there's very little more frustrating than asking for an explanation and someone telling you "just do it." It's happened to me and it drive me nuts.

The theory behind doing this, I thought, was so that the effect isn't generating any noise when bypassed. I'm not sure how grounding the input would result in less pops.

I use the same method that Dragonfly posted, with the addition of a jumper from the effect input to the open lug at the bottom. I do this, because my very first build, a looper pedal, initially had a lot of hum when one of the loops was bypassed. I changed it so that the loop send was grounded when bypassed, and that cleared up the problem.

Now, I just do it out of habit, though from the sound of it, it sounds unnecessary? It's a trivial amount of work to do, so i figure I might as well do it.

[DWBH]

Thanks guys, and thanks moro for the explanation.