What are you using for DC electrical switches. Need to start looking for some soon and would like some more info. Types, vendors etc. ;D ;D
If I want it to last forever I use EAO > http://www.alliedelec.com/eao/ (http://www.alliedelec.com/eao/) / http://eao.com/north-america/en_us (http://eao.com/north-america/en_us)
On budget I use > http://www.automationdirect.com/adc/Search/Search?searchquery=switch&cmd=Search&fctype=adc.falcon.search.SearchFormCtrl&TxnNumber=-1#start=0&Product__F__Accessory_Type_ms=%22Pushbuttons%22&rows=10 (http://www.automationdirect.com/adc/Search/Search?searchquery=switch&cmd=Search&fctype=adc.falcon.search.SearchFormCtrl&TxnNumber=-1#start=0&Product__F__Accessory_Type_ms=%22Pushbuttons%22&rows=10)
It depends on the application. Switches are usually rated for a certain current load for AC and DC use, usually lower for DC since the interruption of a DC voltage can promote arcing. I prefer to try to find marine rated switch panels at marine salvage places and use those. If you want fancy switches that light up, which can be really handy, the link above looks to be a good one. I have been known to use automotive or truck rated switches from truck supply stores, if you get a brand name they can be quite good if not so industrial looking.
Brian
These are my absolute favorite. These will never die > http://eao.com/north-america/en_us/series-82-vandal-resistant-pushbuttons/ (http://eao.com/north-america/en_us/series-82-vandal-resistant-pushbuttons/)
99% of the switches I use are toggle switches. on/off, on/off/on, momentary on/off/on, momentary on/off/momentary on (hope I have the names right, been years since I had to ask for one at a counter). I need some with #10 screw terminals. Any ideas?
Brian
Quote from: bevans6 on July 08, 2015, 01:53:22 PM
99% of the switches I use are toggle switches. on/off, on/off/on, momentary on/off/on, momentary on/off/momentary on (hope I have the names right, been years since I had to ask for one at a counter). I need some with #10 screw terminals. Any ideas?
Brian
All you could ever want > http://www.alliedelec.com/search/results.aspx?term=toggle+screw (http://www.alliedelec.com/search/results.aspx?term=toggle+screw)
Are we talking about wall switches for the house system ?
As a less-expensive alternative, Cole-Hersee and K-Four have decent US-made switches available from many different suppliers. My bus was originally all C-H from the factory, so that's what I try to use. For the house batteries I like the Blue Sea isolators, available from internet vendors for a lot less than their MSRP.
John
Excellent subject matter and thank you. I suppose it would also enter into it a theme of type of visual impact. For example; If one were attempting an older Crown Supercoach ex school Bus Conversion, then the physical appearance of the switches, (if visible) would be important. They could be art deko retro or starship modern weird. But for the guts of the D/C system perhaps any type of proper D/C rated switch/breaker/auto reset would work. Just me. HB of CJ (old coot)
Just to verify, yes switches for the wall to turn dc lights off/on. What switches do you use if you want to turn off/on a light from more than one location. I know in ac you have 3/4 way switches but I never see anything in dc .
Lowes or HD have the wall switches with the the AC/DC ratings you have to read the people in those places know nothing,the DC rated are always a snap type,but you cannot use the dimmer switches on DC.
The regular AC switches are fine as long as they snap the silent type have never worked good for me IMO
Steve-
a 3-way or 4-way wiring scheme itself does not depend on whether it is carrying AC or DC. As previously stated, many household-type wall switches can be used. For the small load of a lamp or two, it will not be a problem. Do the math and check the ratings. But to CYA, check that it is DC rated. Many home wall switches will be rated at 15A@125VAC and 5-10A on DC. For larger loads such as in chassis systems, make sure the switch is rated for the load. AC dimmers will NOT work on DC. For that you will need DC dimmers. And their appearance surely won't match! Makes Crestron or a PLC look like a good, complicated option, lol.
For cases where the appearance of switch desired doesn't match the ratings required, use an appropriate relay.
I still have the Webasto in the box. I've been otherwise busy.
Regards,
Ted.
Most people are using LED lighting nowadays the AC switches work fine LED draws hardly any amps.
I have a box full of AC/DC 30 one way and 20- 3 way rated 15 amps on DC I may turn loose of when I get finished with my project
If you are doing LED there are some really neat options > https://www.superbrightleds.com/cat/controllers/ (https://www.superbrightleds.com/cat/controllers/)
As well as some wireless "place anywhere" switches as well > https://www.superbrightleds.com/cat/wireless/ (https://www.superbrightleds.com/cat/wireless/)
Very nice, Todd, that's what I've been looking for.
Thanks.
Ted
Quote from: TedCalvert on July 09, 2015, 12:15:56 PM
Very nice, Todd, that's what I've been looking for.
Thanks.
Ted
Glad to help Ted! I use a lot of their aluminum strip light profiles and led strip light, its really cool > https://www.superbrightleds.com/cat/housings/ (https://www.superbrightleds.com/cat/housings/)
This was a tough choice when we installed our house lights. We wanted all the LEDs to be dimmable. We ended up using these http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00AF5YOK2/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1436623472&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SY200_QL40&keywords=led+light+remote&dpPl=1&dpID=513X5GHkpwL&ref=plSrch (http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00AF5YOK2/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1436623472&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SY200_QL40&keywords=led+light+remote&dpPl=1&dpID=513X5GHkpwL&ref=plSrch) and velcroing each one to the wall inside the bunks and to the wall in our bedroom.
It works well. The kids like being able to change the colors. The switches don't have to be wired in and you can use the same remote on all the lights (so we can turn the kids lights off from the bedroom if we need to)
Also they are fairly cheap to replace and have held up well over the 2 years we have had them installed.
In the front of the bus we used a wireless remote that came with a wall plate that the remote sits in. You can turn on/off and dim the lights from the remote as well as set a timer for the lights to turn off automatically. The remote can go with you so if you went for a walk or to the store then you could turn the lights on before entering the bus. And it looks like a European/modern type light switch when its sitting in its wall plate.
I highly reccomend using wireless light switches as mounting/replacing/troubleshooting them is a snap. You can put the switch exactly where you want without having to run wire. In our two years of experience on the road with them there has never been an issue.
Here is a link to the light switch we have up front -
https://www.superbrightleds.com/moreinfo/controllers/led-dimmer-wireless-wall-mount-rf-remote-12vdc-cps-series/1531/ (https://www.superbrightleds.com/moreinfo/controllers/led-dimmer-wireless-wall-mount-rf-remote-12vdc-cps-series/1531/)
-Sean