OK So I'm trying to get a spst switch to power 2 circuits. I need to find a way for this to work because the switch is a sensor and spdt sensors are expensive. I was wondering if there is something I can hook up to normal spst switch and make it work with 2 separate circuits of LED's (one red and one green) I've looked in quite a few places and havn't been able to find a defiant yes or no answer. If anyone has a better idea I'm open to them too.
Thanks,
Joe

 

Can you show us what the circuits look like? And how the switch is a sensor?

 

Try operating a relay with the switch.

John

 

OK I drew a quick picture to help visualize what I want to do. There will be a sensor that acts as a switch. I want one option to be when it doesn't sense anything for circuit one to come on (Red LEDs) and then when it does sense something circuit 2 comes on (Green LEDs) If something doesn't make sense on the drawing let me know and I'll try and clear things up and before you ask no I didn't put any resistors or anything on the drawing to keep it as simple as possible.
Thanks,
Joe

 

A SPDT switch would work. If the sensor is not that way already, then a very common relay is SPDT. That is, there are two contacts plus a center contact. One is normally open (NO) and the other is normally closed (NC). When one closes, the other opens.

Do you have the part number and name for your sensor? It is possible, you will not even need a relay, be it mechanical or electronic.

John

 

wrong thread!

 

@julienrl
Are you on the right thread?

John

 

hahahaha! oups! sorry!

 

Here's the link to the one I was thinking about using here

Its a magnetic switch and it's the only cheap one I could find because I cant use something that is sensitive to light because of the LED's

 

Time to call DigiKey. The datasheet linked to the product shows only two leads, but describes the switching options as:

• Choice of normally open,normally closed or change over switching

Unfortunately, the datasheet didn't describe "change over switching." Digikey, on the other hand, shows a product photo with three leads and says the switch is SPDT, which is exactly what you need.

First step is to find out exactly what product you will be getting. If it truly is SPST, then we can work our something to give the pattern you want. I sketched something last night with one resistor and two transistors to do that, but I have not tested it. So, to avoid confusion, let's wait until we know whether you need it.

John

 

OK so I just got done talking to a customer support person. This will work on 2 circuits so I'm assuming this will work. It shares the same input voltage also so that's fine. She also said that there was another part I should get with it that goes over the actual sensor here. She said it was an actuator but it just looks like a cover for the actual sensor. Do I actually need to buy that with the sensor or can I do without it since it will only be 1/16" away from what it will be sensing. Also she told me it's a reed switch which operates by magnetic flux. I was just planning on going to a store and buying a magnetic strip I could cut with adhesive on the back. Will that be strong enough to trigger the magnetic switch? Also she took me here and these sensors are sideways in the picture. I was going to mount mine vertical.

 

57025-000-ND is the matching magnet. Any magnet will work, as long as it is strong enough.

Be sure your current and wattage do not exceed the device's ratings.

John

 

OK well I preferably want a magnetic strip that I can put on the bottom of something flat so it can still sit stable without rocking back and forth. Do you think some normal magnetic strips that i can pick up from a store would work?