On 19/05/2011 19:48, wrote:
"Nightjar\"cpb\"@""insertmysurnamehere wrote:
On 19/05/2011 14:07, wrote:
I'm after some small switches for use on a boat, they will be
switching 12 volt lighting so insulation isn't a big issue but they
need to be at least 5 amp rating.

Most of them will need to be surface mounted and I'm having a hard
time finding anything reasonably small and neat. About the best so
far are architrave switches but even these are on the large side for
what I want.

One can get really nice compact toggle and rocker switches from the
likes of CPC and Farnell but I can't find anything (or think of any
way of DIYing) small boxes to mount them in.

A small ABS enclosure, a drill, a saw and a file? Although, personally,
for a boat I would go for modular process control push buttons, which
can be sealed to IP67 and for which enclosures are readily available.

I suppose there are really small ABS boxes available, thanks for the idea.

Can you point me at the process control buttons you are talking about
please. Would they need any electronics behind them to actually switch
lighting loads?


This is the sort of thing I had in mind. It is an American site, but gives
a better idea of the range available than other sites I found.

http://www.automationdirect.com/adc/...ors/22mm_Metal

Those are 22mm diameter, but there are 16mm diameter and even 9mm
switches available if they are too big. Simply Google size modular switches.

The 22mm size will normally take up to three modules at the back, which
can be contactor blocks, lamps or LEDs. By selecting contactor blocks
and actuators you can have any combination of normally open, normally
closed or toggle on/off switches with or without illumination. The switches
are completely self-contained and need no additional electronics. Some
actuators have sealing shrouds that moisture and dust proof them to IP 67.

Colin Bignell