In this Instructable, I will explain how to use a simple double-pole, double-throw (DPDT) switch to select series or parallel wiring for two loads on one power source.
Wiring two loads in series will provide the full current available to both loads but only half of the available voltage, whereas, wiring the two loads in parallel will provide each load with the full available voltage, but only half of the available current.
Using this switch can effectively allow you to choose two power settings for your two sources. In the case of light bulbs, this can give you a bright or dim setting, without needing two different wattage bulbs.
In the case of electric motors, this can give you slow.fast and high/low power settings.

This uses the simplest Double Pole Double Throw switch. This requires nothing more than the switch and some creative wiring. Please note that the "off" position only works if you have a "center off" switch! A DPDT relay can easily be substituted if you have one. If you want a 'struct' on this, leave me comments.

Please note that this instructable is intended to go with another of my instructables. Some of this instructable has been copied from my other instructable, since it will use the same type of switch.

You can find my other instructable here:
https://www.instructables.com/id/SIMPLE-Polarity-Reversing-switch/

Step 1: Selecting Your Switch

You need to decide if you want to purchase a switch or salvage one from something else. if you purchase one, you have more options as there are many out there. if you salvage one you are limited to what you can find.

Make sure the switch you use can handle the amount of current you need
Decide if you want an off position or not.
Decide if you want a sliding switch, a toggle switch, rocker switch, or even a spring loaded switch that returns to off when released.
If there is a junk car around, check it for power window switches or electric seat adjusters. Both are most often DPDT switches. Don't forget to steal the motors or sometimes linear actuators out of the seat adjusters, if you can!!!!
Broken stereos commonly have one or two switches in them

If you salvage a switch, the first thing I would do is test ACROSS the switch to be sure it is double pole. The switch has two rows of contacts with three pins per row. NO pin in one row should have continuity to ANY pin in the OTHER row. In the "center off" position, if equiped, NO TWO PINS should conduct.

In the case of a sliding switch: You should find that the center pin in each row conducts to the pin at the same end that the slider is on, but will not conduct to any other pin in the same row or to any pin in the other row.

In the case of a toggle switch: You should find that the center pin of each row conducts to the pin at the end OPPOSITE to the toggle lever, but will not conduct to any other pin in the same row or to any pin in the other row.

In the case of a rocker switch: You should find that the center pin in each row conducts to the pin at the same end of the switch as the RAISED side of the rocker, but will not conduct to any other pin in the same row or to any pin in the other row.

Step 2: Wiring the Switch

Wiring for this switch is deadly simple.

To make my instructions a little more easy to follow, hold your switch in such a way that you are looking at the pins and they are arranged 2 pins wide and three pins tall. Imagine that the pins are numbered as below:

1 4
2 5
3 6

Begin by connecting pins 3 and 6 directly. The shortest piece of wire you can use will be best. You will need no other access to these two pins.

You will need to connect two wires to each of pins 1 and 4. These pins will be your two power supply wires, as well as one wire from EACH of your motors. As this switch WILL NOT change polarities, make sure that your positive wire from one motor (we will call this one Motor "A") is connected to the positive power source wire, and pin 1. Connect the negative from your other motor (Motor "B") as well as the negative from your power source is connected to pin 4.

This is the tricky part. You now should have only 2 free wires, one from each motor. These wires will get crossed in this step. This is intentional. Connect the wire from Motor "A" to pin 5, (not 2, like you would expect). Connect the wire from Motor "B" to pin 2 (not 5).

In my other instructable, I note here that there are many different combinations for the connections to that switch, however, there are some things that you MUST be careful about in this switch. You CANNOT connect your power source to pins 2 and 5 in this switch. The motors will be wired in series in one position, however the switch will cause a short in the other position.

Step 3: Enjoy, and Leave Me Comments

I hope you have enjoyed, and gotten something useful out of reading my first Instructable. Please leave comments if there was anything that was unclear or anything I should change as I will not know unless you tell me. Flames or non-constructive criticism WILL BE DELETED (if I have that option.. ignored otherwise).

Thanks for reading,
DieCastoms.