LED tipped switches

[The_Handier_Man1]

From: tiinytina  (Original Message)
Sent: 2/1/2007 1:28 PM

hi all,
   searching for a source for LED tipped 2way and 3 way switches.... Found a couple but all are overseas suppliers etc. Does anyone know of any USA dealers? Pat would like to put in LED tipped switches for the dash fans and maybe the windshield washer (If I can't figure out whats up with the current knob set up and or washer motor...). It would make them easier to find on night runs etc.....

Thanks
Tina



From: Cooneytoones
Sent: 2/1/2007 4:45 PM

Tina, AutoZone & probably all the other major parts places carry switches with LED's in them.....I had to replace the rocker switch for my fuel selector valve and used one from A/Z...Does not fit in the hole egg-zactly.....but it works, and now I know which tank I'm on just by the LED...when it's off I'm on the main tank and when it'son I'm on the reserve ...it's been in there almost two years and still a switchin'....You can also get the little LED's that will illuminate the switches....the LED shines at a right angle throwing light on the switch one on each side of a set a switches wired to come on with the dash lights really help my bus has them and it really help to see the switches in the dark.

Timmy



From: tiinytina
Sent: 2/2/2007 3:30 PM

thanks Timmy,
     Since I googled it and didn't find anything other than euro suppliers... didn't even think to look at my local AZ. I'll check them tomorrow.  Definitley want something that kicks in when we hit the lights. There is a small row of LED type lights recessed in the upper ridge of our dash but doesn't do much. Driving to the Jam last summer seeing more would have been helpful without hitting the too bright passenger reading light.
Tina



From: denisondc
Sent: 2/2/2007 5:32 PM

And of course you could search on ebay. There is usually a decent range of illuminated switches for sale. The sellers might know where others were available.



From: tiinytina
Sent: 2/6/2007 3:09 PM

Pat says he wants on/off/on switches... not sure if this means 3-way or not... he would like 2 different color lights for the 2 on positions, off can be lit or unlit... I don't know if these exist or not...... oiy.
Tina



From: denisondc
Sent: 2/6/2007 5:37 PM

About any type of switch you imagine probably exists; but that doesnt mean you will find any on-the-shelf at a retailer or wholesaler. I harvested a nice bunch of rocker switches from a late-model wrecked Ford ambulance in the Magic Junkyard near Gettysburg. They were mostly all made by Cherry Switch, had small bulbs (not l.e.d.s ) behind yellow, orange, red, green, white and blue lenses, and were of different circuit types; single pole & double pole, single throw & double throw, double pole on-off-on, and so forth. The Ambulance was a Bridger product. Taylor made the interior and did the wiring. The companies are combined now: http://www.taylormadeambulance.com. If you want to see what my switches look like: http://www.taylormadeambulance.com/type1.htm is the URL of some pictures of their current products. The 4 pictures on this page could have been of the one I was harvesting fittings from, except for having a smashed front end, and more switches than they show. It seems like they are using the same switches. So they probably have some of those switches lying around - if you were to wander into their facility with a box of glazed donuts and a 6 pack of Starbucks hi-volt coffee. They probably order their own custom specified switches in quantity from Cherry.
Sorry that none of my switches are for sale. I will be using them in my Winnies, and my hobby cars sometimes. 



From: tiinytina
Sent: 2/12/2007 3:56 PM

Thanks! Figures Pat worked in Emmittsburg MD for a year an a half before we knew about the magic junk yard only 10 miles up the road... ah well.  Pat found a site that will even custom make LED switches that he wants but I don't think he wants to pay that much. I'd rather we sink money into getting the furnace out and cleaned (which will take ripping the entire kitchen lower area out...). anyhoo. Thanks for the link. Maybe I can find something and surprise him....
Tina