Has anyone ever used sliding pots?

Question

how can you tell which one is pin 1, 2 and 3? like how can you tell for the one on this linnk? Which one is the variance pin? http://www.goldmine-elec-products.com/prodinfo.asp?number=G3279

Answer 1

you have a fixed resistance across two pins and the third pin is a variable resistance equal to the position of the slide switch.  An ohm meter could answer your question in a few seconds.  Anyone working with such components should have an ohm meter handy.  

Answer 2

Us an OHMETER to measure the resistance between all pins, two at a time.  while measuring, move the slider from one end to the other.

You will find that between two of the pins, the resistance will not change as you move the slider.  These are the two "outside" pins.  If you measure between one of these pins and the third pin, the resistance will change.  The third pin is the "variance pin".

BTW: Nice deal!  Buy me some, too!

Answer 3

If you have a multi-meter it would be easy to just check by measuring resistance on the MM from combinations of the three pins - it wouldn't take long.