Can I use a 3 position switch in place of a ON/OFF switch?

JoshuaTSP · #1 06-12-2010, 11:51 AM

The ON/OFF power switch on my Mesa M2000 is busted.

I can find the proper replacement anywhere......

I thought I had found the right one at Digikey....so I ordered it.

Turned out to be the right specs, but had 3 positions.....OFF/Standby/ON I assume?

coreyfyfe · #2 06-12-2010, 11:56 AM

As long as it's wired properly should be ok, I think. When I got my V4 it had a 3 way switch wired up for the power switch. Down and center were off, up was on.

BassmanPaul · #3 06-12-2010, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoshuaTSP

The ON/OFF power switch on my Mesa M2000 is busted.

I can find the proper replacement anywhere......

I thought I had found the right one at Digikey....so I ordered it.

Turned out to be the right specs, but had 3 positions.....OFF/Standby/ON I assume?

You bought the wrong switch. Buy the right one and fix the amp properly.

Paul

johnk_10 · #4 06-12-2010, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BassmanPaul

You bought the wrong switch. Buy the right one and fix the amp properly.

Paul

+1

Jason P Bass · #5 06-12-2010, 05:10 PM

The positions on that switch are going to be ON, OFF, and DIVIDE BY ZERO.

It makes no difference if you use a 3 position switch. Wire 1 position for ON, the other two positions for OFF, and leave no wires hanging loose.

JoshuaTSP · #6 06-12-2010, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason P Bass

The positions on that switch are going to be ON, OFF, and DIVIDE BY ZERO.

that's the way this thread was going.

Quote:

It makes no difference if you use a 3 position switch. Wire 1 position for ON, the other two positions for OFF, and leave no wires hanging loose.

I just got finished replacing it. Mesa sure does make it hard to work on their amps!

I had to remove the faceplate which contained 6 LEDs for the channel and compression indicators. Had to remove the stuff they used to hold the wire connectors in place (goo).......then re-hook them all up after I was finished. What a pain in the.......

Works perfectly, like you said. OFF/OFF/ON

johnk_10 · #7 06-12-2010, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoshuaTSP

I just got finished replacing it. Mesa sure does make it hard to work on their amps!

I had to remove the faceplate which contained 6 LEDs for the channel and compression indicators. Had to remove the stuff they used to hold the wire connectors in place (goo).......then re-hook them all up after I was finished. What a pain in the.......

that's why i would've used the correct one in the first place.

Jason P Bass · #8 06-12-2010, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnk_10

that's why i would've used the correct one in the first place.

Because if you used the right one, you wouldn't have to take the amp apart to fix it?

You wouldn't have to disconnect the old switch and connect the new switch?

What, exactly, would have been the difference?

BurningSkies · #9 06-12-2010, 07:06 PM

If you're going to all the trouble, might as well use the correct piece.

Also, if I were to look at that amp now on the second hand market and it had a replaced but not quite right switch in it, I'd either be looking for a discount or a different amp. I mean, if that's switched out and not to spec, then what else is?

johnk_10 · #10 06-12-2010, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason P Bass

Because if you used the right one, you wouldn't have to take the amp apart to fix it?

You wouldn't have to disconnect the old switch and connect the new switch?

What, exactly, would have been the difference?

because if you're going to bother to tear the amp apart to replace the switch, the amp would've had the correct part in it, instead of the incorrect one.

Kindness · #11 06-12-2010, 08:05 PM

I heart JoshuaTSP.

I remember being frustrated by your not quite ideal solutions to straight forward problems. Now they feel like a well worn pair of jeans.

BassmanPaul · #12 06-13-2010, 09:37 AM

The difference is the difference between a proper job and a half assed one!! If you are going to repair something, DO IT RIGHT THE FIRST TIME!!!!

Paul

JoshuaTSP · #13 06-13-2010, 10:09 AM

the problem is that I can't find the right switch? :idk:

georgestrings · #14 06-13-2010, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoshuaTSP

the problem is that I can't find the right switch? :idk:

Did you ask Mesa for one???

When I bought my PH 610, it had seen a bit of road use - the tiltback casters were shot, one of the glide rails on the back was cracked, and mine never had the kickplate - Mesa sent me out all that stuff *under warranty* for a well used cab, and it didn't cost me a dime...

- georgestrings

JoshuaTSP · #15 06-13-2010, 10:20 AM

No.

*calls mesa*

I was in a rush to get the switch for a gig last Thursday. That didn't happen and I had already ordered the switch.

Munjibunga · #16 06-13-2010, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BassmanPaul

The difference is the difference between a proper job and a half assed one!! If you are going to repair something, DO IT RIGHT THE FIRST TIME!!!!

Paul

Let me tell you a couple German jokes.

Q. How many electricians does it take to replace a lightbulb?
A. One.

OK, there were these two cows standing out in a pasture. One of them looks around for a few seconds, then wanders off.

JoshuaTSP · #17 06-13-2010, 10:28 AM

Actually, when I ordered the switch......I had thought it was the correct one......just a plain old ON/OFF.

So I tried to get the correct one.....but I've got a 3 day "tour" this week/weekend that I REALLY needed the amp for.

* back peddle *