Michael Yount
Mustang Master
I think you might be in over your head on this one - have you got a buddy that understands relays, switches and stuff? I'd get some 'live' assistance with it before you fry other components.
Michael Yount said:id - I suppose it could be semantics, but there's no way I'd describe something which infinitely varies the CURRENT to a motor to infinitely vary the motor rpm in order to maintain a set temperature point as simply "a switch". The toggle you buy at WalMart - that's "a switch". The term switch is pretty universally accepted as a device which allows a connection to either be made, or not made. Binary. On or off. This piece couldn't be described that way, at least not reasonably.![]()

Michael Yount said:ID - "Hence why this product is so successful as it is efficient and eliminates mechanical switching latency (hysteresis error) and improves reliability by eliminating mechanical contacts." You've just given a perfect arguement as to why it most folks would never call it a "switch". The end result of its super-fast switching is that it doesn't behave like a switch at all. Some things fall into the category of being described as a distinction without a difference (e.g. - do the cylinders 'suck' air in on the downstroke of the piston, or does atmospheric pressure 'push' air in?). This isn't one of them in my opinion. If it doesn't walk like a duck, look like a duck, or quack like a duck, then it's not a duck. This ain't a switch.
Michael Yount said:I've enjoyed the thought provoking discussion ID. Probably a case of you say tomato and I say tomahto more than anything else. Living here in east TN, we're covered up with dams (Tennessee Valley Authority and Alcoa) - most of those gates I've seen are adjustable. Tiny opening, bigger opening, open all the way - definitely not all or nothing like a switch. Additionally, I've always thought that the term vision was more appropriately used to describe the ability to take in all the details, and summarize them on a grander scale. Perhaps it takes the ability to 'visualize' the detailed operation of the unit to see it as a switch. Oh no, here we go again.... LOL
You're right - it's a switch that's cleverly disguised so it doesn't act like a switch. I can live with that.
Idwitheld-1` said:not to split hairs but it is a switch. Its just solid-state (probably PWM modulation with FET or bipolar drivers).
Michael Yount said:The toggle you buy at WalMart - that's "a switch". The term switch is pretty universally accepted as a device which allows a connection to either be made, or not made. Binary. On or off.![]()
