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Bus Discussion => Bus Topics ( click here for quick start! ) => Topic started by: Dreamscape on October 18, 2007, 05:19:38 AM

Title: Toggle or Rocker Switches?
Post by: Dreamscape on October 18, 2007, 05:19:38 AM
What type of switch works best for you at the driver position? Rocker or Toggle.

For headlights, marker lights, spotlight etc..

Thanks in advance for your input.

Paul
Title: Re: Toggle or Rocker Switches?
Post by: oldmansax on October 18, 2007, 05:33:58 AM
My preference is toggle. They are easier to operate while driving in my opinion. Also, it is easier to find the one you want at night. A lot of us old time truck drivers used to put chrome extensions on the ones we used all the time (head lights, markers, tail lights) to make them even easier to find & use.

FWIW

TOM
Title: Re: Toggle or Rocker Switches?
Post by: Frank @ TX on October 18, 2007, 05:38:28 AM
Hi Paul,
I kept the toggle switches. 
They are heavy duty and easily seen from a distance if they are up or down.
Frank
Title: Re: Toggle or Rocker Switches?
Post by: Hartley on October 18, 2007, 06:34:30 AM
Cats and Critters have a harder time operating toggle switches when you don't need stuff turned on and off.

Rockers look nice but too easy to accidentally trip by bumping.

Title: Re: Toggle or Rocker Switches?
Post by: JackConrad on October 18, 2007, 06:50:02 AM
Toggle switches mount in a 1/2" round hole (easily drilled with a 1/2" drill bit). Rocker switches require a very exact rectangular opening (more difficult unless you have the $$$$$ tool to punch the opening).  Jack
Title: Re: Toggle or Rocker Switches?
Post by: maria-n-skip on October 18, 2007, 07:17:06 AM

Paul,

   Chime, Lights and running are toggle with plastic extensions (would love to find 24v with the built in light)
   the rest are regular toggle with safty cover on fan and emergancy shutdown.

Skip
Title: Re: Toggle or Rocker Switches?
Post by: Jerry32 on October 18, 2007, 07:47:29 AM
Mine came with panels full of rockers and holes for more. So guess I will stick with them. Wish I could find the bulbs to light up the panels. Jerry
Title: Re: Toggle or Rocker Switches?
Post by: redbus on October 18, 2007, 08:06:53 AM
My 9 uses bulb #265 in the dash. I orderd them through MCI.
Title: Re: Toggle or Rocker Switches?
Post by: Jerry32 on October 18, 2007, 08:51:49 AM
According to the manual the bulbs are #17 and I can find no reference to them on the internet. I guess MCI would have a source since they built the thing. Jerry
Title: Re: Toggle or Rocker Switches?
Post by: Dreamscape on October 18, 2007, 09:53:26 AM
It looks like toggle is the way to go. I agree with Jack on the simple installation, only drilling a hole.

That was the deciding factor anyway.

Thanks,

Paul
Title: Re: Toggle or Rocker Switches?
Post by: DavidInWilmNC on October 18, 2007, 10:03:38 AM
Jerry,

If you're talking about the bulbs in the control panel below the driver's window, I replaced all mine when I got the bus.  About half were burned out.  I can't remember the name of the company, but I've posted it here before.  I can't find the post, though.  I can look for the receipt or the link at home.  The bulbs were fairly cheap and they had every bulb on my MC-8 in stock - I actually replaced them all and kept the good ones as spares.

David
Title: Re: Toggle or Rocker Switches?
Post by: HB of CJ on October 18, 2007, 02:39:09 PM
My Crown has toggles and it is also easy to feel by touch if they are on or off since they are all aligned the same way.  Just a quick and gentle swipe along the bottom of the dash checks things.  Don't think I will change anything.  :) :) :)
Title: Re: Toggle or Rocker Switches?
Post by: ChuckMC9 on October 18, 2007, 04:00:44 PM
Even some brand new MCIs use togglers. I was surprised by that - they almost look old-fashioned.
(https://busconversionmagazine.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fbusbuilding.com%2Fges%2Ftogglers.jpg&hash=206dd252cb15ab1340c61efb93bf1f422dd7d722)

That's def the way you want to go, Paul. Rockers are girly-man! (with apologies to the fancy-boys) ;)

Title: Re: Toggle or Rocker Switches?
Post by: Dreamscape on October 18, 2007, 04:10:37 PM
Chuck,

Thanks for your input, I think!  ;)

Is that picutre of your coach?

I agree, toggles are the way to go.

Paul
Title: Re: Toggle or Rocker Switches?
Post by: ChuckMC9 on October 18, 2007, 05:22:50 PM
Quote from: Dreamscape on October 18, 2007, 04:10:37 PM
Is that picutre of your coach?

Nope, that's a brand spankin new MCI D4500.

Mine are a little, um, more broken in... ;)

Title: Re: Toggle or Rocker Switches?
Post by: gus on October 18, 2007, 07:13:37 PM
I can't think of even one advantage to a rocker switch.

A really good extension for a toggle switch that is important to find in a hurry is a piece of clear (Or colored) plastic tubing a bit longer than the toggle.

It is cheap, easy to install and won't break off or cause the toggle to break.
Title: Re: Toggle or Rocker Switches?
Post by: gumpy on October 19, 2007, 09:10:57 AM
I like the toggles on my left side control panel, but I like rockers, too.  I'm using rocker switches for all my conversion switches. The Contura switches from Waytek make a very nice installation. Yes, you have to cut a rectangular hole that's exact, but
with a little effort and a good jigsaw, it's not too difficult. Here's a photo of my recent leveling system switch installation on the
dash....

Title: Re: Toggle or Rocker Switches?
Post by: belfert on October 19, 2007, 10:45:06 AM
My dash has all rocker switches.  I've memorized the location of all the important switches like the cruise switches and the Jake brake switches.  I can find them by feel.  All of my rocker switches have lights in them.

I've never had toggle switches so I have no opinion on which are best.

I used rocker switches for everything in my coach sorta like what Craig did.  A buddy of mine runs a laser at a machine shop so I had him cut holes in stainless steel switch plates that the switches fit into.  I mounted regular electrical boxes in the stud wall around the bathroom and found creative ways to mount the switch plates in other locations.
Title: Re: Toggle or Rocker Switches?
Post by: HB of CJ on October 19, 2007, 02:02:06 PM
Did I write toggles?  My mind is going....I can feel it....I can feel it.  I meant rockers.   AUGGHHHHH!  CROWNS FOREVER!!!  :) :) :)