wiring question

[glynnffc]

I know this is probably straight forward, but it's puzzling me.
I want to turn a set of lights on and off at both ends of the boat, so having bought a switch for by the berth I find it has no wiring diagram with it and FOUR terminals.
Now I can just about manage two, but what do I put in the others??
All four lights are going to run back to one busbar, but i can't for the life of me work out how to incorporate that second switch.

Help.

 

[TigaWave]

Have a look at this it should help
Two way switch wiring

 

[DaveS]

Tigawave's link covers the principles of 2 way switching well. As to what the 4 terminals on your switch do, without seeing it it's difficult to comment usefully. If you have a multimeter (you should - they're so cheap there's no point in not having one) I would suggest working out with resistance measurements what is going on.

One common switch configuration with 4 terminals is an "intermediate switch". This is a DPCO configuration with a pair of cross connected connections between the "output" terminals. (The same arrangement is used for reversing permanent magnet type windlass motors, etc.) One (or more) of these can be inserted in the "pass wires" of a 2 way switching arrangement to give control of the light from 3 or more positions.

 

[glynnffc]

Thanks guys,
I might have to stare
at that diagram for a while, but I'm one step
nearer now.

 

[paulburton44]

Your 4 terminals might mean it is a double pole switch. Switches both positive and negative.

 

[William_H]

More often the 4 terminals means that 2 terminals are connected together with the switch one way and the other 2 terminals are connected together when the switch is the other way. This is the kind of switch you need for 2 switch lights. 2 terminals are connected together to make the one connection which connects to one or the other terminal. olewill

 

[Moonchild]

The switch having four terminals sounds as though it is a double pole switch which is not suitable for two way switching. You will require two 2-way dc rated switches which have three terminals usually marked common, L1 and L2. The supply from the fuse needs to go to the common terminal on either of the 2-way switches and the switch wire to the light fittings to the common in the other switch. The remaining two
terminals in each switch are then connected between switches (ie L1 to L1 and L2 to L2). Remember to use tinned copper marine grade cable. The switching should only be carried out to the positive cable with the negative going directly to the light fittings.