Dip Switch RTC432A - problems

[RogerH]

Hi Folks,

as mentioned in one of my posts the above dip switch had a tantrum. The poor thing is 50 years old and had expired.

 

No problem I'll buy a new one. This I did from one of our main suppliers for apprx £10.

After one operation it jammed up. I have not been able to get it to work.

 

In desperation I managed to dismantle my old one and sort out why it wasn't working..

 

Out of interest I had a look on ebay at what was on offer.

The above part number is sold by 100's of vendors at prices from £5.90 to £20 - they all look identical

I ordered the cheapest I could find at £5.90 from 'LRSOffroad'. I wasn;t expecting too much. (and didn't get it)

 

It arrived today (very quick) It is not in the green 'lucas' box but in a blue box labeled 'BritPart' - looking good.

First operation and it had a re-assuring click. It didn't work after that. In fact all three pins are now shorted - that could be bright

 

So where does this rubbish come from.

They are boxed differently - so there must be more than one wholesaler

What is going on.??????

 

I shall ask a question.

 

Roger

[Fireman049]

Roger ~

 

We're all living in Rip Off Britain where the customer always comes last!

 

Tom.

[RogerH]

Hi folks,

some good news.

I have been operating the more expensive switch (£10) for a while now and it has started to behave itself.

Do not know why it is now working correctly but it appears to be.

They do prefer being used by foot rather than by hand.

 

So perhaps ours aren't quite as bad as a cheap ebay switch - but they all look identical.

 

Roger

[Don H.]

The box differences mean nuthin', Roger. Easiest thing in the world to change. Go by the parts themselves, and if they look identical on close inspection they quite likely are.

 

Quality in these kinds of "non-critical" parts is often a challenge -- and one of the reasons finding original stuff is almost always the better idea.

[BlueTR3A-5EKT]

Have you thought about the tractor world?

It is a Durite product - An aftermarket brand I tend to trust.

 

Challenge is that it has screwed terminals rather than Lucar.

 

 

http://www.silverfoxtractorspares.com/headlamp-dip-switch-foot-operated-13489-p.asp

 

or again from Green Spark Plugs

 

http://www.gsparkplug.com/durite-switch-foot-operated-dip-main-beam-bx1-0-658-50.html

 

Cheaper still here at £7.82 +carr+VAT

http://www.almsolutions.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=499&cPath=96_176

 

Here is an array of USA truck foot operated dip switches.

http://www.littelfuse.com/products/switches/special-purpose-switches/foot-operated-switches.aspx

 

 

Cheers

 

Peter W

 

PS and here is something that looks horribly like an item the early car owners dread failing

http://www.fergiland.co.uk/t20-rubber-drive-6v/33

Edited July 29, 2017 by BlueTR3A-5EKT

[Nigel C]

I through away the dip switch I bought new from a "reputable supplier" near me in the midlands when I found a NOS switch at an auto-jumble and....boy does it feel so sweet on the foot compared with the "other" crunchy one.

[Paul Down]

Would this do?

 

As fitted to Series Landrovers, I have one fitted and no trouble for several years:

 

http://www.paddockspares.com/parts-and-accessories/land-rover-series-2-and-3/electrics/switches.html

[RogerH]

Hi Paul,

that is the same as sold by the TR suppliers and on ebay.

I don't know if there is more than one manufacturer or even if there is more than one quality standard.

 

The two that I have recently bought at £10 and £6 were both very iffy straight out the box.

Thankfully the £10 item is now working (though much stiffer than my 50 year old item).

The £6 switch is not only non-functional but the output pins are now internally shorted together.

 

Roger