No thermoplastic switches. No nylon switches.

No eBay APP ID and/or Cert ID defined in Kunena configurationNo eBay APP ID and/or Cert ID defined in Kunena configurationNo eBay APP ID and/or Cert ID defined in Kunena configurationNo eBay APP ID and/or Cert ID defined in Kunena configurationNo eBay APP ID and/or Cert ID defined in Kunena configurationNo eBay APP ID and/or Cert ID defined in Kunena configurationFor anything using more than an amp...

Only use epoxy-resin, bakelight, or metal.
Epoxy-resin will usually come in black red green or blue, but will not have the shiny look like nylon or vinyl. They will have a duller, or dusty look to them.

These metal ones look good.




This nylon/plastic one below is not acceptable. It will melt.
Notice the grabbing tabs used for mounting. Epoxy-resin will never have them molded in like this. Only plastic (vinyl) or nylon will have those tabs.


This one has no rating, but it looks good for ignition and lights. You could probably wire it for ignition in one position, then ignition plus lights in the other position, or ignition plus low beam, and ignition plus high beam. But email to confirm it can handle 20A.


This type, below, is almost always epoxy-resin. Notice there are no cheasy mounting tabs... Good old, threaded, metal neck. There are also all-metal versions of this, but are usually made of pot-metal. The epoxy-resin version may actually be better, but either is acceptable. The drawback on these is they take a lot of space, and are not very sleek.



This type, below, is not acceptable. Notice it is entirely plastic. You can tell it's nylon or plastic because the case uses tabs to hold together.



End of rant, for now.

BTW Steve, these are all UK sellers or international sellers.

a smart man once told me:

"when it comes to switches,don't use small ones,cute ones or plastic ones!"

oh yeah that was lou :laugh: .

thanks for being so helpful to all of the electrichallenged of us on here.

you are a great resource and a strength of this forum.

leon

531blackbanshee wrote: a smart man once told me:

"when it comes to switches,don't use small ones,cute ones or plastic ones!"

oh yeah that was lou :laugh: .

thanks for being so helpful to all of the electrichallenged of us on here.

you are a great resource and a strength of this forum.

leon

I'll definately second that, this thread probaby came about as a result of me (probably) annoying Lou via PM for some switch advice. Im getting some switch housing's CNC'd so i want ones that aint a pile of poo & melt easily. Unfortunately i need small & would like cute! :lol:

Seriously though, i'd be lost & confused without Lou's advice!

Thanks Leon! :laugh:

Steve, (thanks for the compliments, BTW), since you are going to have some mounts custom made, I would probably recommend using switches that employ somewhat standard mounting methods. The big ugly metal toggle switches are pretty standardized, and most replacements will drop in with no mods.

I haven't looked into it, but you may want to look into aircraft switches. They are probably the best thing out there. I just didn't happen to search them on ebay. They have momentary toggles that look like the standard on-off toggles, so at least the switches would match each other.

I guess, for cuteness, I like the looks of that second momentary metal button. I wounder if they have a push-button toggle version of it that matches in looks.

The ignition switch should be rated for 20A. The starter button, as we discussed, can probably get by with 3 or 4 amps.

Good point Lou, i searched Marine Switches but it didn't even cross my mind to look at Aircraft Switches!

I've used plenty of plastic switches in previous cars for fog lights, neon lights, etc. I've only ever melted one, and that was because of a short in the system and the wrong size fuse (in my days of learning). What are you basing your thoughts of them melting with more than one amp on?

I don't think Lou's saying more than 1 Amp & they'll melt, i think he has based his post on questions i've been asking. Instead of wiring everything through relay's which are just 1 more thing to fail i was going to take Lou's advice & wire them through switches. Sounds simple enough until you find out i want to run the wires through the bars. This along with wanting to hide/camoflage the electrics as much as possible makes it a difficult task (for me) getting switches that are small enough & that carry enough current.
Anyway, i've been asking Lou what current certain switches needed to carry for different applications, i THINK thats what his post is based on. Try getting a GOOD but SMALL 20A switch for the kill/on switch & a good SMALL 10+ Amp (pref off/on/on or on/off/on) switch for the lights & you'll see too! :lol:

Well, I definitely don't disagree that the metal and epoxy resin switches are better than the plastic, I was just trying to see if he had some horrific experiences with the plastic ones, or something...

These will probably be pricey, as they are Mil-Spec. requiring crimped, ring terminals(try the surplus places first):

MS24523-22 SPST Toggle Switch
www.alliedelec.com/search/productdetail.aspx?SKU=6422180

MS24523-23 SPDT Toggle Switch
www.bpbsurplus.com/lc/cart.php?target=pr...7468&category_id=325

MS24523-28 SPST Toggle Switch Momentary
www.bpbsurplus.com/lc/cart.php?target=pr...8139&category_id=325

MS24524-22 DPST Toggle Switch
www.prowireusa.com/prodinfo.asp?number=MS24524-22

MS24524-27 DPDT Toggle Switch Momentary
www.bpbsurplus.com/lc/cart.php?target=pr...8722&category_id=325

Thanks MFolks...........boy im loving this section from your last link! :lol:

www.bpbsurplus.com/lc/cart.php?target=category&category_id=468

I'll look through those links. Better to get the correct switch now as further down the line it'll save some hassle & frustration.

Yes, I love Mil-Spec electrical switches too,When I worked at General Dynamics/Convair in San Diego, I had access to many of the listed switches along with many heatshrink products.

They can't be beat for moisture and vibration resistance, many of the off roaders use them in their vehicles for reliabilty.

Some other websites for electrical related parts:

www.corsa-technic.com/index.php
www.prowireusa.com/