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Rotary switches and other things I know jack about

M

melkinsbass

Mar 11, 2009
209
0
Terre Haute, Indiana
www.ellusionmusic.com
#1
I've been looking at wiring diagrams and doing searches about wiring, and I just don't get it. My knowledge regarding wiring and such is woefully lacking.
So, my question is can somebody recommend some websites and/or books that can help clear up some things to a novice like me? I had some ideas about using a rotary switch, but I want to understand how they work before I waste anyone's time with silly, too often asked questions.

Thanks,
Matt
 
#2
What were you trying to do?

When choosing a rotary switch, the main thing to pay attention to is the number of poles and number of positions, which will be dictated by the application you plan to use it in. Some applications call for two poles, while others may require four, or even six. The number of positions is personal preference, based on how many positions of switching are needed. Four, five or six positions are common for many guitar-related applications. Two position rotary switches would be used as an alternative to toggle switches.

The function of a rotary switch in any circuit is quite simple. For each pole, there is a common terminal, which makes continuity with one other terminal for each position. For example, in position one, the common connects to terminal one. In position two, the common connects to terminal two. Etc. Commons rarely connect to more than one terminal, and poles almost never interconnect unless externally jumpered to do so.
 
#3
That helps. I think I was confusing things in my head because of all the different wiring diagrams (and different ways of diagramming) I've seen.

I had an idea for a pickup (upon researching, it turns out a lot of people had the same idea) that was a MM style quad coil with the bass side bridge and neck coils polarity going north and the treble side going south.I wanted to be able to use it in a variety of ways:
1. Bass side neck pup (BN) and Treble side bridge pup (TB) in series (P Bass)
2. BB and TN in series (reverse P)
3. BN and TN in series
4. BB and TB in series
5. BB/TB and BN/TN in series
6. same as above but parallel
Not necessarily in that order for the switch.
I would imagine that the pup would end up having 4 hots and 4 grounds, right? Would that mean I need an 8 pole switch? I think those are rare (and huge).
Thanks for the help.
 
#4
melkinsbass said:
That helps. I think I was confusing things in my head because of all the different wiring diagrams (and different ways of diagramming) I've seen.

I had an idea for a pickup (upon researching, it turns out a lot of people had the same idea) that was a MM style quad coil with the bass side bridge and neck coils polarity going north and the treble side going south.I wanted to be able to use it in a variety of ways:
1. Bass side neck pup (BN) and Treble side bridge pup (TB) in series (P Bass)
2. BB and TN in series (reverse P)
3. BN and TN in series
4. BB and TB in series
5. BB/TB and BN/TN in series
6. same as above but parallel
Not necessarily in that order for the switch.
I would imagine that the pup would end up having 4 hots and 4 grounds, right? Would that mean I need an 8 pole switch? I think those are rare (and huge).
Thanks for the help.
Click to expand...

I'm not sure what your labeling refers to, but all series and parallel combinations of four coils can be achieved with six poles*.

One coil's positive phase lead is connected to the output, and another coil's negative phase lead is grounded. The remaining six positive and negative phase leads are each connected to a common terminal on a pole. All possible combinations can then be achieved* by grounding a throw, connecting it to the output, or connecting it to another coil.

*The one limitation is that the two coils which are hardwired on one end cannot be placed out of phase with each other. Either of these coils can, however, be placed out of phase with the other two coils.
 
#5
line6man said:
I'm not sure what your labeling refers to, but all series and parallel combinations of four coils can be achieved with six poles*.

One coil's positive phase lead is connected to the output, and another coil's negative phase lead is grounded. The remaining six positive and negative phase leads are each connected to a common terminal on a pole. All possible combinations can then be achieved* by grounding a throw, connecting it to the output, or connecting it to another coil.

*The one limitation is that the two coils which are hardwired on one end cannot be placed out of phase with each other. Either of these coils can, however, be placed out of phase with the other two coils.
Click to expand...

But of course you don't need all the combinations you only need the ones you want. In just looking at the combos you want I THINK it can be done with just 4 poles if you (or the guys here) think carefully about it. If that proves correct there is a StewMac 4 pole 6 position rotary switch # 3516 made to order for this job! ($8.91)

Of course one problem is that with the 4 coils, they should be wired so that bridge and neck are hum cancelling. that means that your two combos BN + TN and BB + TB will be single coil pickups and give you single coil hum. But that's the price you have to pay for that arrangement.

Good luck.
 
#6
bassbenj said:
But of course you don't need all the combinations you only need the ones you want. In just looking at the combos you want I THINK it can be done with just 4 poles if you (or the guys here) think carefully about it. If that proves correct there is a StewMac 4 pole 6 position rotary switch # 3516 made to order for this job! ($8.91)

Of course one problem is that with the 4 coils, they should be wired so that bridge and neck are hum cancelling. that means that your two combos BN + TN and BB + TB will be single coil pickups and give you single coil hum. But that's the price you have to pay for that arrangement.

Good luck.
Click to expand...

I would stick to a basic set of options. Perhaps P, reverse P, single coil, all coils series, and two sets of series coils in parallel.
 
#7
Would this wiring work and/or correct?
 

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#10
melkinsbass said:
I tried that and I couldn't figure it out. So, I saw the Bartolini quad coil and tried to base it off of that. The red an blue wires attach coils C to D and coils A to B respectively. I didn't draw in the shield. I was referencing a diagram from bestbassgear.com. That diagram is for connecting to a toggle.
Click to expand...

Ok, so there is a hardwired series link between coils?
In that case, position six, pole four should be wired to the signal.
I wouldn't bother with parallel combos of split coils, unless each pickup were wired with both coils in series. You are probably going to end up with a very weak output, since the coils are so underwound by themselves.
 
#11
line6man said:
Ok, so there is a hardwired series link between coils?
In that case, position six, pole four should be wired to the signal.
I wouldn't bother with parallel combos of split coils, unless each pickup were wired with both coils in series. You are probably going to end up with a very weak output, since the coils are so underwound by themselves.
Click to expand...

Yes, there is a hardwired series link between the coils (or there will be; I just got in most of the parts to make it).

Thanks for the advice on the split coil, parallel option. I think I might try to figure out how to do the AD coils in series (reverse P).
Thanks for your help and patience; I'm extremely new to this.
 

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