Printable Version | Subscribe | Add to Favourites
New Topic New Poll New Reply
Author: Subject: Need a switch
David Jenkins

posted on 18/5/06 at 11:54 AM Reply With Quote
Need a switch

I'm looking for clues to help me find a special type of switch.

What I want is a normally central lever that will make a momentary connection no matter which way it is pushed. The lever should be about 2 or 3 inches long (but I can modify if necessary). Current carrying capacity max 1A.

Can anyone point me in the right direction?

Otherwise I'll have to make my own (and life's really too short).

cheers,
David






View User's Profile Visit User's Homepage View All Posts By User U2U Member
russbost

posted on 18/5/06 at 12:09 PM Reply With Quote
Flasher switch any good? If not try Maplin
NOTE:This user is registered as a LocostBuilders trader and may offer commercial services to other users
View User's Profile Visit User's Homepage View All Posts By User U2U Member
David Jenkins

posted on 18/5/06 at 12:10 PM Reply With Quote
a flasher switch can be pushed on one direction only - so no good.

I've just been to Maplins - nothing there (apart from possible components for my own version.

David






View User's Profile Visit User's Homepage View All Posts By User U2U Member
Donners90

posted on 18/5/06 at 12:14 PM Reply With Quote
Something like this???

http://rswww.com/
search for P/N 317-673
(at bottom of list)






View User's Profile E-Mail User View All Posts By User U2U Member
David Jenkins

posted on 18/5/06 at 12:36 PM Reply With Quote
That's a 100% improvement, being 2-way instead of 1-way!

However, it's still not activated in ANY direction...

David






View User's Profile Visit User's Homepage View All Posts By User U2U Member
Donners90

posted on 18/5/06 at 12:39 PM Reply With Quote
this any closer???

RS part # 398-6749






View User's Profile E-Mail User View All Posts By User U2U Member
David Jenkins

posted on 18/5/06 at 12:43 PM Reply With Quote
That's another 100% improvement!

Bit too grand for what I need... I think I'll be making one...

cheers to all,
David






View User's Profile Visit User's Homepage View All Posts By User U2U Member
Donners90

posted on 18/5/06 at 01:13 PM Reply With Quote
Just had a thought on home made switch. Can you base it on an old computer joystick. I'm sure I have one of these somewhere if you want it (FOC) / canibalise it for your use!

[Edited on 18-5-2006 by Donners90] Rescued attachment 96_1_b.jpg
Rescued attachment 96_1_b.jpg







View User's Profile E-Mail User View All Posts By User U2U Member
02GF74

posted on 18/5/06 at 01:18 PM Reply With Quote
sell centring jobbies can be found on the handsets for model cars/aricraft.

they are not switches but variable resistors - maybe easy to modify?

There has to be someting better out there...

View User's Profile View All Posts By User U2U Member
ReMan

posted on 18/5/06 at 01:54 PM Reply With Quote
http://www.vehicle-wiring-products.co.uk/VWPweb2000/switch-1/switch-1.html

49600 and extend the shaft?

View User's Profile Visit User's Homepage View All Posts By User U2U Member
muzchap

posted on 18/5/06 at 02:18 PM Reply With Quote
Really curious as to what you want it for

Will you explain

Sounds interesting





------------------------------------
If you believe you're not crazy, whilst everybody is telling you, you are - then they are definitely wrong!
------------------------------------

View User's Profile View All Posts By User U2U Member
David Jenkins

posted on 18/5/06 at 02:35 PM Reply With Quote
Nothing too exciting...

At the moment my horn button is hidden by the steering wheel, so I want to replace it with a lever switch that can be hit from any direction (well, up, down and in anyway). I also had problems finding the horn button, especially when driving with thick gloves. I just want to be able to wave my hand around in the right general area to operate the horn.

Currently I have an idea in mind: a brass tube with a rubber bung in one end and a metal rod through the centre - push the lever, the bottom end touches the side and makes the connection. The rubber bung should be springy enough to keep the lever central. probably quite easy to make in a short time.

And before anyone suggests the obvious - I don't want to move the horn somewhere else!

But don't worry too much - I get these bright ideas now and again! I might just end up with a normal flash switch.

David






View User's Profile Visit User's Homepage View All Posts By User U2U Member
DarrenW

posted on 18/5/06 at 02:38 PM Reply With Quote
What about one of those joystick type switches that you use to adjust electric mirrors? I dare bet you could wire up all for directions to the horn - or fit 4 horns????
Im not sure if they return to the centre when you let go.


Or something like a savage horn switch with a more sticky out stalk fitted so its easier to press.

[Edited on 18/5/06 by DarrenW]






View User's Profile E-Mail User View All Posts By User U2U Member
David Jenkins

posted on 18/5/06 at 02:45 PM Reply With Quote
quote:
Originally posted by DarrenW
What about one of those joystick type switches that you use to adjust electric mirrors?



Now there's a thought...

quote:

- or fit 4 horns????





I find twin air-horns have sufficient 'impact'!

cheers,
David






View User's Profile Visit User's Homepage View All Posts By User U2U Member
Marcus

posted on 18/5/06 at 04:07 PM Reply With Quote
Like the idea of the wire in a tube - up until the time you hit a rough road!
How annoying would that be, with your horn going off every couple of seconds

Marcus





Marcus


Because kits are for girls!!

View User's Profile E-Mail User Visit User's Homepage View All Posts By User U2U Member
Peteff

posted on 18/5/06 at 05:30 PM Reply With Quote
How about a sprung metal bar to earth centred in a washer wired to the horn via live so you can just push it to touch the washer and set the horn off. A medium strong spring would stop accidental action.





yours, Pete

I went into the RSPCA office the other day. It was so small you could hardly swing a cat in there.

View User's Profile View All Posts By User U2U Member
David Jenkins

posted on 18/5/06 at 07:45 PM Reply With Quote
Marcus - I was planning to use a fairly solid rubber bung at the top, so I'd have to give it a solid push to operate (which is what I want).

pete - I'd thought about what you suggested, but I would be worried about water getting in the top. At least the rubber bung would keep the water out!

cheers,
David






View User's Profile Visit User's Homepage View All Posts By User U2U Member

New Topic New Poll New Reply


go to top






Website design and SEO by Studio Montage

All content © 2001-16 LocostBuilders. Reproduction prohibited
Opinions expressed in public posts are those of the author and do not necessarily represent
the views of other users or any member of the LocostBuilders team.
Running XMB 1.8 Partagium [© 2002 XMB Group] on Apache under CentOS Linux
Founded, built and operated by ChrisW.