Rotating a dc motor one direction then the other with a single power source?

Question

I have a 12 volt DC motor i want to use 2 momentary push switchs one turns the motor left and the other oposing direction i thought about using a chip out of an old computer joystick but i want to know if there is a simple way to do this that i didnt think of

Answer 1

much easier to do with one pushbutton and a DPDT switch to reverse direction.

But it can be done with two double pole pushbuttons. the problem is that if you push both at the same time you will short out your power supply and blow fuses. And ruin the pushbuttons.

Edit: you can fix this by adding four diodes in the proper places.

You can also use 2 single pole pushbuttons and two relays.

And a "chip out of a joystick" won't do any motor switching.

Answer 2

you can use only one double pole, double throw switch. wire the motor at the middle terminal of the switch, connect a jumper at upper left terminal to the lower right terminal, connect a jumper at upper right terminal to the lower left terminal. connect dc + at upper left, negative at upper right. when you switch it up, the center left is positive and center right is negative. when you switch it down, the center left is negative and center right is positive, so it is forward-reverse.

just look for a dpdt switch that has a current rating more than the full load current of your motor.