I'm in the middle of adding and additional heating element more or less following the instructions here: http://www.susanminor.org/forums/showthread.php?578-Additional-Heating-Element-for-OBS-with-On-Off-Control
I'm using the standard switch from yard and pool (http://www.yardandpool.com/Bradley-Smoker-Replacement-On-Off-Switch-p/switch.htm) which is this: http://www.baokezhen.com/uploaded_files/1282359508.pdf
My question is how do I wire the switch? My switch has a 1,2, and 3 in little circles by the contacts - at first glance they are backwards from the 1,2,3 in Habanero Smoker's picture. After staring and scratching my head for a while, I turned the switch around and lo and behold now the numbers are correct! This all has made my unsure of myself. How should I wire it up?
not sure of your question -the diagram in Habs' directions show how to wire it. Also, as long as the middle one is connected to the element I am not sure it matters how the other ones are hooked up.
I guess that's my question - does it matter which end is 1 and which end is 3. Or what happens if I get it backwards?
The second link you provided does not work.
If it is the Bradley replacement switch, then the diagram should work for you, unless they change the design of the switch. When I first got the switch, I could not tell which was the hot end or which was the neutral end. Most of the time the hot end will be cooper colored, like the switch that was install in my generator, but the replacement switch is only number coded. I had to sacrafice a cheap extension cord, hooked up to a lamp to figure out which terminal was what. I did this under the guidance of someone who knows about electrical circuits.
It believe does matter where the other two wires go. I believe if you hook the neutral to #1 the rocker switch will not turn the element off, and the lamp would not work with the switch in the on position, but it may work in the off position. After hooking up the wire to the switch, test it prior to installing to make sure it is wired properly. That is the lamp should be on and the element should heat.