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[on:]

I'm having trouble finding the switch I need for a project.  I need a 3PDT switch that is on/on (doesn't have a center off position).  I found one this one but it doesn't have a label plate like this SPST switch.  I've looked for an hour and can't find anything.  This is for a semi-commercial product so cost is somewhat of a concern.  If it was jut for me, I'd buy both of the linked switches and make what I need from them.

Alternatively, does anyone know where I can buy just the label plates?

[Reply #1 on:]

I'm having trouble finding the switch I need for a project.  I need a 3PDT switch that is on/on (doesn't have a center off position).  I found one this one but it doesn't have a label plate like this SPST switch.  I've looked for an hour and can't find anything.  This is for a semi-commercial product so cost is somewhat of a concern.  If it was jut for me, I'd buy both of the linked switches and make what I need from them.

Alternatively, does anyone know where I can buy just the label plates?

Possibly a 4PDT toggle would be easier to find? And just don't use the fourth contact pole.

https://www.sparkfun.com/products/11153

[Reply #2 on:]

There's lots of switches in lots of formfactors.
Do you also need some kind of formfactor ?
The toggleswitch retrolefty pointed to, does have the unwanted centerposition.
There's also pushbuttons and turnswitches.
I'm pointing these out because they are also available with separate contacts so you can stack them and so have 3, 4 or 5 levels.
But hese are quite expensive.
So you can also consider using a simple switch and one or more relays.

[Reply #3 on:]

What is the actual end result you are trying to achieve?  It may well be that there is a better way of doing it that doesn't involve a 3PDT switch.

[Reply #4 on:]

Form Factor
I need this to be easily installed into an existing sheet metal control panel.  That limits me to switches with circular mounting holes.  I prefer solder lugs, but that's negotiable.

End Result
I'm making an electric start system for a generator.  Of the 3 circuits in the 3PDT switch, the first is being used to switch power on/off to the arduino.  The other 2 circuits are used to direct an existing switch on generator's control panel between the stock wiring harness and the arduino.  So here's how the circuit works:
switch ON - arduino is on, the stock switch on the generator is routed to the arduino
switch OFF - arduino is off, the stock switch on the generator is routed to the factory wiring harness

I could use a basic SPST switch and a 3PDT relay, but I'm finding that to be more expensive.

A little more searching has turned up these switch plates.  They're nice and also affordable.  The drawback is that they are for 12mm threads.  Swtiches with 12mm threads are pretty big for this application and much more expensive ($8.51) than the 6mm versions ($1.45).  I would really like to find the switch plates for the 6mm switches.

Thanks for looking.

[Reply #5 on:]

Found this plate.  Its just what I needed.  I don't know how I missed it the first time I went through digikey's catalog.