3PDT On-On Switches

[cassius987]

Hey all. I'm looking for a reliable 3PDT on-on mini toggle switch for use in a guitar harness. Not DP, 3P--the same as used for true-bypass in pedals except I need a mini-toggle like on a 4004 bass.

Anyways, there aren't any available in local retail so I have to order online and thought I'd ask if anyone here had any favorites?

[johnallg]

Hey all. I'm looking for a reliable 3PDT on-on mini toggle switch for use in a guitar harness. Not DP, 3P--the same as used for true-bypass in pedals except I need a mini-toggle like on a 4004 bass.

Anyways, there aren't any available in local retail so I have to order online and thought I'd ask if anyone here had any favorites?

Digi-key. http://search.digikey.com/scripts/DkSea ... CKN1498-ND

[beatlefreak]

What he said. Digi-key is a great place for electronic parts.

[cjj]

Yep, Digi-Key is great, and C&K switches are as well. RIC uses C&K mini switches in the 4004's...

[cassius987]

Isn't it pretty expensive? $12...

I was eyeing these on eBay: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... TQ:US:1123

[beatlefreak]

Not saying those are bad, but if you don't know the manufacturer...

[johnallg]

Not saying those are bad, but if you don't know the manufacturer...

Let me paraphrase - you gets what you pays for.....

No doubt a cheap knockoff. It will work really good. For a couple months. Maybe. If you don't overheat it when soldering. Then it will be useless. Get the C&K.

[cassius987]

I'll mull it over. Is C&K a US-made part?

[johnallg]

I'll mull it over. Is C&K a US-made part?

US company, global manufacturing.

http://www.ck-components.com/switches-supplier.html

[cjj]

Actually, for your purposes, I wouldn't recommend the one previously linked. Why? The first one mentioned has silver contacts. These are intended for power circuits and may have more noise if used in a low signal level situation such as a guitar. The C&K part number tells you what the contacts are, 7301TZQE, the Q says it has silver contacts. What you want is one that has B, P, G, or R as the next to the last character. B & P are best, gold specifically for low level/dry circuits, G & R are intended for both low level and power, also gold, and should be fine, but could be a bit noisier.

Then you have to ask what you really want the switch function to be. The first 4 digits define that. 7301 means 3PDT, no center position. If you want one with a center OFF position, you'd want a 7303 type.

So, from Digi-Key, here are a couple without a center off position:
http://search.digikey.com/scripts/DkSea ... CKN9795-ND Larger size
http://search.digikey.com/scripts/DkSea ... CKN9796-ND Smaller size

And one with a center off, but apparently not a stock item:
http://search.digikey.com/scripts/DkSea ... 03SYZBE-ND


A couple of other good places to check are Newark Electronics
http://www.newark.com/

and Future Electronics
http://www.futureelectronics.com/en/Pages/index.aspx

[cassius987]

I appreciate your detail CJ. Indeed I do *not* want a center "off" position. I wasn't thinking about the lug contacts either. Good to know!

Can anyone help me interpret the bore size for those thread bushings? 1/4-40 and 15/32-32 respectively.

[cjj]

I appreciate your detail CJ. Indeed I do *not* want a center "off" position. I wasn't thinking about the lug contacts either. Good to know!

Can anyone help me interpret the bore size for those thread bushings? 1/4-40 and 15/32-32 respectively.

It's not actually the plating on the lugs, it's the actual switch contacts inside. The thread bushing sizes refer to the size of the threaded part where the nut goes. 1/4-40 means 1/4 inch diameter, 40 threads per inch. 15/32-32 is 15/32 inch, 32 threads per inch.

Now that I look at these a bit more, with respect to the above mentioned bushing sizes, I realize I was wrong with the size info I mentioned. The actual switch body is the same size on these, the threaded part is the difference. The 15/32 is the larger one, almost 1/2 inch in diameter, similar in size to a "normal" Rick type switch. The 1/4 inch one is the size of switch used on the 4004.

[cassius987]

Thanks again CJ. I have been puzzling over what "1/4-40" etc. means for a long time. For my plans I believe I'll need the 1/4-40 type.

Gold=less noisy/oxidizable than silver (probably an issue in audio applications but not in working with mechanical devices), or why would you prefer it?

[cjj]

Thanks again CJ. I have been puzzling over what "1/4-40" etc. means for a long time. For my plans I believe I'll need the 1/4-40 type.

Gold=less noisy/oxidizable than silver (probably an issue in audio applications but not in working with mechanical devices), or why would you prefer it?

Mostly I'd recommend the gold plated switch contacts based on C & K's application recommendations. Gold is a common plating for electronics contacts where there might be an issue with corrosion, such as low level signals. Silver is a better conductor than gold and so will also dissipate heat better (happens in the small arc that occurs when switching power circuits) without burning off the plating. But, silver will tarnish, degrading the low resistance characteristics of the contacts. This is of minor concern in high power situations (120V at a few amps) but can be a problem with low power signals such as audio...

[cassius987]

Great. I ordered the 1/4-40 version of the variety with gold contacts a few minutes ago, and a black cover for the toggle.