Miniswitches and Grounding

[bert123]

I'm rewiring a guitar. Adding a couple of DPDT miniswitches.

:question: Do you need to tie the switch body to ground like a pickup selector switch? :question:

I can't get solder to 'stick' to the metal side that is wrapping the plastic 'guts' of the switch I have.

 

[Fresh_Start]

Re: Miniswitches and Grounding

Don't know if it's really necessary to ground a miniswitch, but if it's going through a pickguard with shielding, it should be grounded anyway (assuming the shielding is grounded properly). Another solution would be a very small "ring connector" from Radio Shack - put the switch through the ring and solder your grounding wire to the sleeve on the other end. (That will make more sense when you have a ring connector in your hands )

Chip

 

[Robert S.]

Re: Miniswitches and Grounding

I have been able to get wire to stick to those but it's tricky and you need patient and flux to pull it off.

I usually solder to a washer instead. The little star washers used to secure the switch are easy enough to solder to.

 

[bert123]

Re: Miniswitches and Grounding

Many thanks for the ideas.

 

[Kent S.]

Re: Miniswitches and Grounding

Yes, you do need to ground them,in the right situation they can cause problems if you don't ... like Robert said, take your time ... a better way is to run a some small thin bare wire around the bushing necksolder it, and crank the nut down on it ... normally you'll have a nut, a washer, and another nut, sometimes they give you a lock washer as well, depending on brand. The wire goes between the neck and that first nut. With practive the other is just as easy, but the wire gives you peace of mind in knowing that it can't become disconnected.