3 Way Switch for Temp Probes Query

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floydmeddler
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3 Way Switch for Temp Probes Query

Post by floydmeddler » Sun Mar 13, 2016 8:24 pm

Hey folks,

I'm in the middle of a new 100L brewery build and need some help please.

My plan is to have temp probes permanently installed in the HLT, MT and kettle. I'll be using an STC 1000 as the thermometer as I trust them. It won't be used for anything other than that.

I'd love some sort of a 3 way switch that I could wire up to all 3 probes so that I could activate any of the three with a push of a button / flick.

Any ideas?

Cheers!

P.S, I promise to share lots of pics of the new build when It's ready. :-)

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floydmeddler
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Re: 3 Way Switch for Temp Probes Query

Post by floydmeddler » Sun Mar 13, 2016 8:27 pm


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themadhippy
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Re: 3 Way Switch for Temp Probes Query

Post by themadhippy » Sun Mar 13, 2016 8:39 pm

maybe, maybe not as theres no description of the switch contact arrangements,and a lot of guitars are wired to select between individual pickups OR both,this would definatley be suitable http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/4-pole-3-way- ... itch-ff76h
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floydmeddler
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Re: 3 Way Switch for Temp Probes Query

Post by floydmeddler » Sun Mar 13, 2016 8:52 pm

Cheers man!

I'll get one ordered. :-)

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floydmeddler
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Re: 3 Way Switch for Temp Probes Query

Post by floydmeddler » Sun Mar 13, 2016 9:00 pm

Ordered one. Seems to be loads of terminals. Should be fun as I haven't a clue!

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Kev888
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Re: 3 Way Switch for Temp Probes Query

Post by Kev888 » Sun Mar 13, 2016 10:03 pm

Those switches are quite good, and can come in a few different arrangements. The four pole variant means it has four channels - you'll probably only use one or two of them for the probe wires, but if you got creative one of the others could be used (e.g.) for switching some indicators to show which sensor is active.

The 'common' pin for each pole/channel is usually towards the centre of the switch base. Each common is teamed with three pins on the outer ring - the common makes with each of the three in turn as you rotate the switch (as do the other commons with their three at the same time). So your STC sensor terminal would be connected to a common, and your three sensors would be connected to the three outer pins associated with that common.

When you remove the panel-fixing nut, take care not to disturb the special washer thing below the star washer. IIRC it has a little inward-facing peg which limits the travel of the rotating switch to (in this case) three positions. It can be put back easily enough if it does come off, but its another thing to work out the correct position of.

There is a likelihood that your STC will throw a wobbly during the transition between sensors, as they are designed to notice sensor problems. I can't actually remember if the STCs self-reset once the sensor is reconnected; could be worth testing/verifying as it may be annoying to manually reset after switching sensor. EDIT: ignore that, I just tested mine and it did reset itself when the probe was reconnected. It also took a little while to notice when I disconnected the sensor, so its possible you could flick the switch without it realising :)

cheers
Kev
Kev

bert7cosby

Re: 3 Way Switch for Temp Probes Query

Post by bert7cosby » Wed Mar 16, 2016 9:03 am

I was thinking of doing something very similar....let us know how you get on !

bert7cosby

Re: 3 Way Switch for Temp Probes Query

Post by bert7cosby » Sat Mar 19, 2016 9:16 am

I would like to just switch between the probe in my hlt and the one in my herms return as I have a 30 amp rated stc style temp controller. Any advice on what kind of switch I could use for this ?

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Kev888
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Re: 3 Way Switch for Temp Probes Query

Post by Kev888 » Sat Mar 19, 2016 11:46 am

A DPDT (double pole double throw) sometimes called DPCO (double pole change over) would be the kind I'd choose. You could get away with a single-pole version though, if you connected one wire of both probes together as a common. Though you may want more poles (say to also switch indicators on/off at the same time), they can be got up to 4PDT (four poles double throw) quite commonly. The poles are the number of channels, the throws are the number of different contacts each channel can make with.

EDIT: just note that mechanically, some switches may have a spring to keep them in one position unless being manually held in the other, and/or a central 'off' position where no connections are made. You won't want those.

Obviously this would switch the probe, but the STC will continue to control the same element. Which is presumably okay if the same element is used for both your HLT and herms setup
Kev

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