I bought a 3 terminal Roller Lever Switch from Radio Shack, and it didn't come with the wiring layout. I assumed that it would be the same as my other 3 terminal switches (power, ACC, ground), but when I wire it up in that order my board dies...
Has anyone used this switch or does anyone know how I should wire it?
Due to forum errors I can't see your link.
You should wire up the switch between the input and ground and enable the internal pull up resistors. Use one of the other connections not the two you have. If that does not work swap the other connector.
That's just the thing though, I'm not 100% sure which terminals are which..... I didn't want to smoke my boards.
Here is the direct URL since the other link isn't working.
I guess I'll try the most logical terminals with the pull up resister and take a chance :o
SPDT Switch with 3/4" Roller Lever
This is just one possible way to interface
to an Arduino input.
PINOUT:
COM Common
NO Normally Open
NC Normally Closed
EDIT: This is a microswitch with definite
snap-action contacts, so the external 10K
pullup isn't needed (as per Grumpy_Mike)
unless a stronger signal is required.
muldoon:
it didn't come with the wiring layout
It kind of did. It's written on the switch.
Use the circuit dlloyd cites - you really do not want to have switches connected to the supply anyway (as you have just demonstrated oh-so-well) - so you should wire your other switches without the "power" connection also and use the internal pull-ups.
The switch is marked, I can even see it in the poor quality photo on the website (bad
link - you should copy&paste a link to ensure no errors).
If a switch is not marked you simply get the multimeter out and measure it. If you
don't have a multimeter get a small cheap one right away, incredibly useful.
MarkT:
If you don't have a multimeter get a small cheap one right away, incredibly useful.
Amen to that.
You really should not be coming to this forum if you do not own a multimeter yet. :o
Thanks everyone.
I got it working with some test code on my spare board.
Hi, do you have a DMM, Digital MultiMeter?
If not get one, even an el-cheepo $20.00 DMM will help, you could have worked out the switch function in minutes using the Ohms measurement function.
Tom.... 
PS ALL arduino experimenters should have a DMM.
TomGeorge:
If not get one, even an el-cheepo $20.00 DMM will help
Hey. for $20.00 I expect quality!
"El-cheapo" is $5.
Hi.
Hey. for $20.00 I expect quality!
"El-cheapo" is $5
Ya gota wait soo long for the $5 ones, just down the street for $20.
Tom.....
TomGeorge:
Hi.Hey. for $20.00 I expect quality!
"El-cheapo" is $5
Ya gota wait soo long for the $5 ones, just down the street for $20.
Tom.....
El-cheapo is actually via the "free" coupon from Harbor Freight - one cheap Cen-Tech red multimeter for $0.00 (well, actually you have to buy something to use the coupon - I always go for one of the small 79 cent roller ball casters, if I'm not buying anything else).
...and for me, Harbor Freight is just "down the street"...
