Weatherproof pushbuttons

[Joe Perez]

I'm trying to find a decent weatherproof momentary pushbutton to mount on the steering wheel as a turn signal switch. Plenty of big ones out there meant for use as starter or horn switches, I'm trying to find something low profile (preferably surface mount) and with a relatively soft action and short throw.

Closest I've yet found is this marinetrim control switch (http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=23109&catalogId=10001&langId=-1&storeId=11151&storeNum=10106&subdeptNum=10451&classNum=10454) and I'm not totally enamored with it...

[B-T]

How about these:
http://cgi.ebay.com/12x-Waterproof-Momentary-OFF-Black-Push-Switch-Car-/160452761813

[Joe Perez]

Bill, are you stalking me? :D

Yeah, those look pretty good, actually. Like a fool, I'd been searing ebay for "weatherproof" instead of "waterproof".

I think I'll buy a pack of em, maybe cut one open and see just how waterproof they really are.

Thanks.

[Joe Perez]

The switches finally showed up today, and I have to say that for the price, I'm fairly impressed.

Size-wise, they are perfect. Somewhat smaller than a quarter, and it has a good feel to it- not terribly stiff, but with a nice click to let you know that it's been depressed.

http://img38.imagefra.me/img/img38/8/7/26/thraddax/f_vrg1ydnm_1b8b78c.jpg


I decided to cut one apart in the name of science, to see how waterproof they are going to be. I doubt they'll meet IP68 or survive immersion to ten atmospheres, but against incident rain they just might do the trick.

http://img37.imagefra.me/img/img37/8/7/26/thraddax/f_f7slsqhm_ce87814.jpg

As you can see, there is a rubber membrane just under the mushroom which seals the shaft to the switch body. It's not a perfectly tight fit around the shaft, but it will probably suffice. Nearer the bottom, the threaded section is a relatively tight friction fit against the main body. No adhesive, but it's pretty snug. You could probably run a bit of caulk around here and achieve a perfect backside seal.


So, for mounting in the steering wheel, I think these switches will do the trick. Might use a few of 'em on the dashboard for various purposes as well.

[B-T]

Those look pretty nice. I just ordered some marine ignition switches and pull type light switches. I doubt the light switches need to be waterproof, but if you want them to be, a simple rubber washer behind the mounting nut should work. We will be using a foot dimmer switch, with a prefab wiring pigtail, so putting some corrosion inhibitor on the dimmer contacts prior to attaching the pigtail should make that weather proof also.
:)
BT

[cordycord]

I prefer the "classic" toggle switches, but not the classic problem of accidentally tripping them when they're not supposed to be tripped. The standard fare is to turn them upside down, British-style, so pushing down is actually on. Or the other methods are to add a pre-made toggle protector, a recess, or a mechanical barrier (a half-round stainless bar) as protection. I think the switches will be far enough away to not cause problems, but the ones you've picked out have a much lower chance of tripping accidentally.

Do you have buttons that will require momentary action or progressive action? Such as:

off-on
off-on-(on) (parentheses denotes momentary)
on-off-on
(on)-off-(on)

I saw some cool toggles with LED's at the end--just on-off though.

[cordycord]

BTW, good switch sites are:

http://order.waytekwire.com/category2/M50/0260/Switches

http://www.delcity.net/store/Switches/

www.k-four.net