Hi all, I was wondering if someone might know how to wire these 4 pin led on/off pushbuttons? No instructions came with them and I can't figure it out. As most of you know I am dumb as a box of rocks when it comes to this stuff!
Replies sorted oldest to newest
Now that we know the switches have designations stamped on them, please ignore my previous advise.
Hi Arther, here is the best information I can give you from my ohm meter, in the photo below the 2 larger post on the to are connected when the button is pushed in, but none of the others are. I cant seem to get power threw the switch. I put 12volts to the big post, but nothing comes out on the other post.
Attachments
What is the embossed writing on the bottom of the switch next to the leads. Can you take a close up of that?
You beat me to it, Chuck. I think I see a + and - on the small posts, could be for the led.
I think that's it. The fat posts get shorted together and the thin ones are the light. Not sure what voltage lights the light though...should need a resistor. Maybe look at the same switch by different vendors to get some info.
The top two terminals marked with the +/- are obviously the light, looks like it has an LED since it has polarity. The bottom two terminals are the contacts, they are independent of any connection to the light.
I have the same switches, I can assure you that the larger terminals are the power contacts.
Attachments
@gunrunnerjohn posted:The top two terminals marked with the +/- are obviously the light, looks like it has an LED since it has polarity. The bottom two terminals are the contacts, they are independent of any connection to the light.
Thanks John, I tried wiring hot to the plus side and ground to the negative side and nothing happened, the led light didn't even come on.
The contacts and the light are separate. The light is just an LED, so if you hooked up power without a current limited resistor, it's no longer an illuminated switch! That would have smoked the LED for sure! You need to provide a 1K resistor and diode in series with the internal light. If you want it to indicate switch operation, then you need to provide the LED a ground and the + side goes through the diode and switch to the switched power.
@gunrunnerjohn posted:The top two terminals marked with the +/- are obviously the light, looks like it has an LED since it has polarity. The bottom two terminals are the contacts, they are independent of any connection to the light.
I have the same switches, I can assure you that the larger terminals are the power contacts.
Ok so If I understand correctly I might have polarity backwords.
Next question, the bigger post is just for hot in and hot out to center rail?
Hi Steve, any diagram would be great! fYI I'm using a Z4000 if. It matters.
Mike, here's a diagram showing the connections to the 4 pins.
The two small open circles represent the two larger switch terminals.
The + and - in the diagram are the smaller two LED terminals on the 4 pin switch.
In the physical world, the diode will have a stripe or band around one end and should be connected in the orientation shown in this diagram. The resistor has no polarity and can be connected in either orientation.
Attachments
Thanks Steve ow I will have to order some diodes. And wait for them to arrive. Thank you again!
LOL Please don't laugh at me, but I was just looking at Resistors on the Bay and to be honest I dont have a clue on what one to buy and if I should more then I need right now for future projects!
You all rock, can you please help with this?
Mike, how many switches are you wiring? I can send you a few to get you started.
Hi John, I only have 10 to wire.
I have all the resistors and diodes you'll need, shoot me an email with an address and I'll send them out to you.