Use a DPDT Switch or Relay to Change Polarity/Motor Direction

In this video I show how to use a Double Pole Double Throw (DPDT) switch or relay as a polarity changer. This could be used for changing the direction of a motor or a linear actuator. This is one of the simpler methods to build something that changes polarity.

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[chrisoriel]

Thanks Eman! Your diagram made everything click for me. I have a DPDT switch on a dump truck to actuate the bed that needs its wiring replaced.

[HRIservicesllcSturgeonBay]

Great explanation! Drawing it out in the video is what helps simplify it, you turned the relay on in my head which made the correct connection.

[ebasguy]

man I love you, finally the fix for using a one way switch

[JOATMOFA]

Brilliant! I've added a 12V 1channel 433MHz receiver and connected it's output as the input of the DPDT relay.
When I press my remote control button it runs clockwise, when I press the button again it reverses direction - the button toggles direction!

[Remy]

Best explanation Ive found on youtube.

[ggd]

Thanks for sharing the informaion, i have one problem where i want to use the same with two push buttons and with the 8 pin relay. if i want to put 2 push buttons for motor forward and reverse direction, and also want to keep the motor in idle state when i don't want to use, how would be the wiring diagram with two push button's and 8pin Relay.

[zerg]

Weird... when I powered the bottom two pins, the switch sounded and the motor stopped...
That's what the internet says that a relay does.. Is there something I'm missing?

[paulcomerford]

I enjoyed your video and it got me thinking of a project I would like to do, but need a little help on what I need to accomplish it?
I am trying to modify a winch from a hand held remote to a wireless remote. I have a two channel wireless receiver(Two positives and two negatives) but I am a little confused on what type of relay I need to be able to run and reverse the direction of the winch. Do I need: SPDT, DPDT? Do I need a 5 pin, 6 pin, or 8 pin relay? I plan on running it directly from an outlet so I know I the relay will have to be rated for 110 volts. If anyone can help me understand what I need and how to do it, I would be very greatful.

[rogerdeane]

Can I add that if you wish to use this circuit for leaner actuator you need to connect the limiter switches across the center wires you have crossed over from the top and bottom pins.

[luongmaihunggia]

This is exactly what I need for my circuit, thanks!

[massamsdc]

Great stuff, but with two separate SPDT relays you can have an Off/Idle state! so how about having an idle position where there is no motor rotation with a single DPDT? Like you said "briefly" and "avoided" further explanation, without a stop/off/idle state, the gears will break/damage!

[oregane]

Where do I buy this switch? product name?
Thank you

[raylynch]

Hey Eman, making a motor gear/track assembly to cover a greenhouse at night with rigid insulation panels (and retract during the day with a timer or light sensor switched in reverse). Are those power leads that you use to touch the relay to make the motor run in reverse? If not, what are those wires running to? Thanks much, great video! :)

[MechanicForGMCCars]

Sir do you know how can I control pick up coils out put for distributors?
I need some thing to control duration of pulses ore the 4 pin gm ignition module Im experimenting lot with engines so I wuld like to build me self variabel controled ignition timing .
Im simply useing multipel engine types so I need some thing that does that task .
Im even useing dual coils and dual 4 pin gm ignition modules only problem I have only 1 pick up coil so I need to ajust that for ich coil corectly.

[sshvulnerability]

How would you make this so that the trigger voltage can be arbitrarily inverted (from another controller) and the relay output flips automatically when that happens? (without a switch)

[CraftwerksMC]

I keep coming across this video and its somewhat useful but I am just curious if anyone can tell me what powers the circuit off when it does not need to run either direction? I'm wanting to use one of these as a way to roll a window up and down in the tailgate of my Blazer. It obviously only needs to run until it is all the way up or down. The primary switch is in the tailgate and the old motor was grounded through the chassis and i am changing to a different type of motor that is direct drive and reverses polarity

[foreal]

Do they make a relay switch that already have the outside cross connection done internally so you don’t have to wire it manually?

[alexvelasco]

Hey Eman very helpful video. One question to what are the green cables connected to? Thanks.

[mustafaalshammasi]

Great vid! Can you do that with a SSR?

[MohdAidilMdAsrar]

Hi Eman, I am planning to make it have a timer relay over that DPDT switch. So that at certain time, it would be reverse the motor direction. and how is that possible?I really enjoyed your video! Thanks!