electric switch

Topic: electric switch (Read 985 times) previous topic - next topic

electric switch

September 23, 2019, 01:21:35 pm

A question for you electrical types. I want to replace the hi/off/low switch on my Kool o Matic fan. The hi speed side works but not the low speed side. I can jumper the terminals in the back and both speeds work. Any one know where to get the correct size switch to replace?

Thanks,
Larry

Re: electric switch

Reply #1 – September 23, 2019, 01:38:34 pm

Howdy Larry,
Michael j posted this a few years back, includes a part number:
Part Number Collection

The post contains a dead link, but maybe someplace to start.

Re: electric switch

Reply #2 – September 23, 2019, 02:39:33 pm

Thanks Dave, I will start the chase.

Larry

Re: electric switch

Reply #3 – September 23, 2019, 05:59:20 pm

Looked at the link, but that looks like the rotating knob for the thermostat. I need the rocker switch which changes hi speed/off/low speed. Lots of them on the web, but all that I've checked so far are way bigger than the original.

Larry

Re: electric switch

Reply #4 – September 23, 2019, 06:05:42 pm

Quote from: ohsonew – September 23, 2019, 01:21:35 pm

A question for you electrical types. I want to replace the hi/off/low switch on my Kool o Matic fan. The hi speed side works but not the low speed side. I can jumper the terminals in the back and both speeds work. Any one know where to get the correct size switch to replace?

Thanks,
Larry

Search for this : DPDT Rocker Switch.
In English this reads Double Pole Double Throw Rocker Switch. Google is our friend.

Re: electric switch

Reply #5 – September 23, 2019, 06:08:16 pm

Toolmaker, does this type of switch have 3 prongs?

thanks,
Larry

Re: electric switch

Reply #6 – September 23, 2019, 07:51:40 pm

Quote from: ohsonew – September 23, 2019, 06:08:16 pm

Toolmaker, does this type of switch have 3 prongs?

thanks,
Larry

A DPDT switch has 6 terminals and a SPDT has 3 terminals

Re: electric switch

Reply #7 – September 23, 2019, 09:16:04 pm

Might pm super8mm, don't remember which part of his control failed. He got my controller in exchange for a burger and fries. My Kool o matic roof unit was smashed by a tree limb in a storm.

Re: electric switch

Reply #8 – September 23, 2019, 09:29:14 pm

My old switch works on low but high wont work, with any luck I will get it changed out this week while I am in KS.

I had called FT and they said they did not think anyone had parts for the Cool-O-Matic

Re: electric switch

Reply #9 – September 23, 2019, 10:28:08 pm

You can get in touch with Visone. They will have a used complete replacement thermostat you can purchase. Below is a link to a new thermostat.
John M

http://www.nwrvsupply.com/product/TD113.html

Re: electric switch

Reply #10 – September 24, 2019, 01:03:41 am

Inside the Koolamatic is another rheostat. It may be set at low speed. It rotates to high and then it is controlled by the switch on the wall. Or vice-versa. Or maybe a wire came off.

Re: electric switch

Reply #11 – September 24, 2019, 06:14:34 am

Thanks for the reply's everyone.

John, thanks for the link. When they open this morning, I will call them and if they guarantee that it works, I will have it on its way.

Justin, enquiring minds want to know. Do the extra prongs on the DPDT switch perform the same as the 3 prongs on the SPDT switches, with the ability to move across parallel prongs?

If I can find the correct size switch, I would still like to repair the thermostat for either a spare or if another person needed one.

Thanks all,
Larry

Re: electric switch

Reply #12 – September 24, 2019, 07:47:48 am

Yes
You can use a Double Pole Double Throw switch in place of a Single Pole Double Throw switch using just the 3 terminals on one side.
It's just a parallel SPDT

Re: electric switch

Reply #13 – September 24, 2019, 08:02:48 am

Thanks Justin, I have now learned something new for the day

Re: electric switch

Reply #14 – September 24, 2019, 05:22:20 pm

John Morales, thanks a million. I just ordered a new thermostat, should be here by weekend. For any who need one, they still have 10 more in stock as of the time of this writing.

Larry

Re: electric switch

Reply #15 – September 24, 2019, 10:16:44 pm

Larry, I think you may find the problem is not with the switch. The switch chooses different points on the resistor coil in the air stream under the rotating fan. Meter switch to eliminate the switch and look at resistor coil.

Re: electric switch

Reply #16 – September 25, 2019, 04:21:50 am

Barry, I assumed that the switch was bad when I jumpered the contact points on the back of the switch where the wires are soldered on. When jumpering from center post to either outside post, either the high or low speed on the fan worked. I am not electrically inclined, so am I missing something?

Help keep me straight,
thanks,
Larry

Re: electric switch

Reply #17 – September 25, 2019, 07:14:24 am

Sounds like a bad switch to me.
I think you are on the right track.

Re: electric switch

Reply #18 – September 25, 2019, 08:21:50 am

When I ordered the new Kool o matic, I also ordered a switch that looked similar. If it is the correct dimensions, I plan on swapping out and having a spare.

Larry

Re: electric switch

Reply #19 – September 25, 2019, 12:46:39 pm

Anyone need a good roof kool o matic roof unit? The rubbers are good on this one. Comes with a removed wall thermostat that worked when removed. Fairly large unit to ship. In south Orange County, ca.

Re: electric switch

Reply #20 – September 25, 2019, 11:13:05 pm

Larry, your diagnosis is correct, and you cannot do damage by jumpering. Any 3-wire switch with center off position will work. Just look for one that fits the same hole. Remove wires, take switch with you. If soldered cut them.

You may find the switch at Lowes etc or at an RV dealer. If new switch has different connectors like screws or spades, you can just adapt your wires. And after this project is completed you will be further along on your important electrical confidence. Everyone starts somewhere and all RVers need to get experience with 12-volt stuff as there is a lot of it in our coaches.

Re: electric switch

Reply #21 – September 26, 2019, 07:37:58 am

Thanks Barry. I will make the change when the new one arrives and I can take the old one apart. I ordered a new switch from NW rv, but purely guessing on the size. It didn't say online the dimensions and I didn't take time to ask the man on the phone to look it up. I figured that a $3 gamble wasn't to big of a risk.

Larry

Re: electric switch

Reply #22 – September 26, 2019, 10:36:30 am

A DPDT center off switch is often used to change direction of a DC motor. There are a couple ways to wire for this purpose, this is one.

Re: electric switch

Reply #23 – October 01, 2019, 01:25:47 pm

Received the Kool o matic thermostat and the extra 3 way switch. Turns out that I should have paid better attention to the Kool o matic. Instead of it being a hi/off/low thermostat, it was on/off/auto on the switch. So I ended up soldering in the extra switch for the hi/off/lo function. I did have to open the case opening up ever so slightly for the switch to fit, but it turned out perfect.

Larry

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