Amperage in Switches

[Bryan]

Hey guys, I'm adding a few accessories, and have run out of switches. So we are going to redo the whole switch panel and replace the switches with new ones because half of the ones that came with the bus do not work, and to find more factory ones has been difficult and/or expensive. My question is... how many amps do you think the factory switches were? I just want to make sure I buy big enough switches. I may be replacing things such as head lights, fast idle, start, ignition, etc. Thanks! 

[Gerry H]

Bryan: Most switches are marked on the switch itself with voltage and current (amps) 

[luvrbus]

Most switches in buses just work a relay and don't carry many amps I believe 20 amps is going to be the largest amp you will find in toggle and rocker switches I have saw 50 amps on trucks before and they seemed to never work. Del City has a good selection of the Carling switches. I just use 20 amps on about everything when it requires a toggle or a rocker switch for a relay

[gus]

A lot of switches are rated in AC amps, they won't carry nearly as many amps in DC.

[Busn-Gramps]

Grainger has almost any switch you could want.

[Gordie Allen]

I'd recommend using relays when the load is going to be high for things like the starter, reverse (if you have a switch for that), headlights, OTR heater fan (two speed), etc. You don't really want the switch carrying much load.  I used Pollack rocker switches which you can daisy chain with interlocking dovetail plastic housing for a very neat and professional install. The switches are 20 amp, which is plenty for marker lights, etc.

[Lin]

Just to expand upon Gus's comment, make sure to get DC rated switches.  The ones you find at places like HD will be for AC use.

[Tikvah]

For whatever it's worth - I have a posting on the MCI board for "Switches Wanted"  I would like to get my hands on a dozen or two dozen switches like the ones I already have in my dash.

The posting looks like this:

I'm looking for a dozen or more dash switches.  Mostly on-off switches, but others are okay too.

Does anyone have a scrap bus, or maybe you've changed your dash?   Picture Below...