Electronic – Control two batteries with one switch

power supplyswitches

I have a Raspberry pi and an amp circuit which both have different batteries/ power sources. I was wondering if it is possible to use a single switch to connect the two unified grounds to each of the grounds of the battery?

schematic

simulate this circuit – Schematic created using CircuitLab

Best Answer

No, what you show is a bad idea. With the switch open, there will be 7 V applied between the "amp circuit" power and the raspberry pi power. Not only will that drain the batteries, but it could have strange consequences to either or both circuits.

Use a double-pole switch or two separate switches.

Another possibility is to create the 5 V power from the 12 V power. Then you only need to switch the 12 V for on/off.