looking for a switch...

[Onefastgsx]

I'm trying to track down a switch style and I am a bit confused. I need it to be a 2 position switch. I need one position to have pos. and neg. to be both be "closed" or "activated". In the other position I need for them to be reversed. Would this be a double pole double throw switch?
Thanks for any help. I hope I explained this well enough

 

[75gmck25]

I don't think I fully understand your description, so I'll give you an example of how a DPDT switch can work.
The switch often has six points where you can connect the wires. For example, this is a possible configuration:
1 2 (side 1 of switch)
3 4 (center; common connector)
5 6 (side 2 of switch)

When the switch is thrown to side 1 it connects 1 to 3 and 4 to 2
When the switch is thrown to side 2 it connects 3 to 5 and 4 to 6
You can also leave any of the side 1 or side 2 switch connectors open (no wire attached), so when thrown to that side it effectively serves as a disconnect for the wire connected to the center.

Bruce

 

[slow]

what are you trying to do?

can it be center off, or does it need to only have position 1 or position 2?

as confusing as it is a "4 way" switch does what you are looking for, but you really need a DPST switch, that is setup as reversing if you do not want the center off of a DPDT switch.

Ryan

 

[Onefastgsx]

I don't think I fully understand your description, so I'll give you an example of how a DPDT switch can work.
The switch often has six points where you can connect the wires. For example, this is a possible configuration:
1 2 (side 1 of switch)
3 4 (center; common connector)
5 6 (side 2 of switch)

When the switch is thrown to side 1 it connects 1 to 3 and 4 to 2
When the switch is thrown to side 2 it connects 3 to 5 and 4 to 6
You can also leave any of the side 1 or side 2 switch connectors open (no wire attached), so when thrown to that side it effectively serves as a disconnect for the wire connected to the center.

Bruce

That is exactly what I am looking for. Thank you.

 

[zmaxmotorsports]

You shouldn't switch the neutral/common side of a circuit.

 

[larry_g]

You shouldn't switch the neutral/common side of a circuit.

Your assuming the OP is talking an AC circuit. I believe he is talking DC and looking to reverse a dc motor.

So OP what is it your doing?

lg
no neat sig line

 

[Onefastgsx]

Your assuming the OP is talking an AC circuit. I believe he is talking DC and looking to reverse a dc motor.

So OP what is it your doing?

lg
no neat sig line

Correct. It's a winch motor and one of the solenoids went bad. I looked into a new one and it was gonna cost more than what I've got in the winch itself ($25 off a menards clearance rack). So I wanted a switch that I could reverse polarities to the motor. Found one at RadioShack this afternoon. DPDT switch rated for 30A at 12VDC. BINGO!