different kind of hard-to-find switch

[francis]

I am looking for a part (a switch) that I think ought to exist, but may not.  I've looked at literally hundreds of websites, and a dozen paper catalogs, and I've found a couple of products (microphones) that use something like it, but no switch for sale.

The switch I want looks like a standard slide switch - the little black rectangular blob sticking up that slides back and forth, solder terminals on the bottom, and a metal tab at each end to fasten it down.

The difference is that I want the slide to operate, via a magnet or magnetic shield, reed switches.  A drop-in replacement for a DPDT slide switch would be a very useful little item for restoring various things.  I'd like to use them in both test equipment and electric guitars.

Has anyone ever seen such a thing for sale?  I saw at least one shop that hinted they could make them custom in small quantities.  Anyone have an idea how much money I should be ready to spend before writing them?

[ante]

Hi francis,

Wellcome to our forum.

It’s possible to make one yourself if there is enough space behind the panel.

[francis]

It's possible to fabricate one myself in the same space as the old one.  I just don't have the right combination of ambition, patience, and expensive tooling.

I have seen very-small SPDT reed switches that would fit if you took a standard slide switch apart, machined the insides out of the plastic slider, replaced them with the appropriate magnets and shields, and replaced the little board holding the contacts with a new PCB with two reed relays on it.  The PCB would be about 13mm by 22mm.  The plastic box that would hold the magnet(s) is 13 x 22 x 7.5

I COULD do it, I suppose - I did repair a microphone on/off switch like this once, but it was SPST and therefore much easier - just involved gluing a magnet in the slide where spring had been, and gluing a reed relay on the bottom of the switch where it switched properly - sloppy, but hidden inside a microphone, it worked fine.  That's where I got the idea for this switch.

I was just hoping a factory had made them already.  I wouldn't even mind if someone stole this idea and started manufacturing them.  I just want to buy a few cheap...

[hotwaterwizard]

Here is a Double Norm Open and Norm Closed

http://www.farnsworthelectronics.com/switches.htm

[francis]

Actually, the Farsnworth item is a set of plastic housings with a reed switch in one and a magnet in another.  They're easy to find if I want to take one apart to get the reed switch, and live in the middle of nowhere, but there's no way this assembly is going to substitute for a slide switch without looking like a monster.

I found the perfect illustration...

www.proopseducational.com/acatalog/switches.html

the second item from the top is the switch housing I want, and the top item is the reed switches I want to replace the sliding contacts with.

One application is in old electric guitars, where there really isn't the option to rout out more wood to fit a bigger switch.

[hotwaterwizard]

This is what you want?

[hotwaterwizard]

http://www.reed-sensor.com/Notes/General_Reed_Switch_Theory.htm
http://www.reed-sensor.com/pdfs/Reed_Sensor_Miniature_PCB_UM.PDF
http://www.reed-sensor.com/Reed_Sensors/Miniature_SIP_Reed_Sensors.htm

[xoy]

hi!!!!

is there any switch which a normally open and power switch are combined in one switch, specially a push button??? any reaction regarding to this are highly appreciated..

thanks in advance!!!!


-------xoy----

[hotwaterwizard]

Which type?

http://www.cherrycorp.com/english/switches/interlock/l4.htm





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