I got one at NAPA a couple years ago. https://www.napaonline.com/en/searc...le&scene=partTypesScene3&fullyQualified=false Just try to get one that will handle the amp load of the switched device.
there was some real crap made in the US a long time ago, too....it's not so much where it's made, it's the specs that it's made to. If you go to mcmaster or an electronics place like mouser, you can find good, expensive switches. https://www.digikey.com/en/products...-and-productivity-solutions/11TS115-2/1835177 for example
Thanks all pprather....I will try that number here with Napa squirrel yes, I agree. sorry, being here in the lonely east coast Canada there is no McMaster or Mouser. I try like heck to buy local to avoid the $10 (USD) part having a $40 (USD) shipping fee (ouch!)!
sorry didn't notice you're in Canada. I have no idea where to buy stuff up there...but the idea being, go somewhere they sell industrial parts, not a chain auto parts store
Check out industrial supply places . lots of good quality switches in different amp ratings. even princess auto has some heavy dusty toggle switches in the trailer section
VANDENPLAS......Thanks but Princess Auto is where I have purchased what I have (trailer section). All have failed. The toggle switch simply breaks from the connection and flops.
Look for a good brand in a old box on eBay. A lot of them are low amp ratings, so you might need a relay.
A Cole-Hersee 551800 is a nice, heavy duty SPST switch. If you check on EBay you can usually find an NOS one that was made in the USA. I do believe that the brand new ones are also a quality part but made in Mexico if I remember correctly.
I'll second Cole-Hersee. Another place to check if you have one around is somebody who stocks or can get industrial-rated switches for industrial plants. Places that service electric motors can be another source. If you have a rental outfit locally who rents boom lifts, they may be or know a source. Do make sure what you get is rated for the amp load. Any switch should be rated for 125% of the connected load unless it's a motor, in which case go for 200%.
Cole Herse toggle switches for the most part are rated at 25 amps for 12V DC CHb5.pdf (elecdirect.com) You might try a local marine supply.
Not necessarily. Parts for Certified Category Aircraft, as opposed to Experimental Category Aircraft, have different requirements (sometimes no substantial difference, only the “Certified” paperwork) and parts for the former are often much more costly. However, Aircraft Spruce and other similar suppliers cater to the Experimental class builders and they offer high quality parts that are not typically in the Certified classification. The Cole-Hersee switch shown in above post would be an example of such a part. If your local automotive parts supplier or online source offers the Cole-Hersee item or equivalent, by all means use that supplier. My point is merely there are cost effective sources in the Aviation community as well if you know where to look. Ray
@anthony myrick is right. -old truck yards have really good switches, (just be sure they haven't been replaced with crappy modern ones They also have really good breakers...
Thanks. I get tired of having to explain my responses all the time. OP asked for a source. I offered one. Simple as that. Building an Experimental Aircraft is a lot like building a hotrod, but without the safety net of the emergency lane on side of the road to pull over to.
My thoughts too. Still have panels I took out of trucks for gauges and switches and use them now and then.
Not sure if these are USA made-you could ask- but everything I have bought here has been good quality. Sadly, "Made in USA" is no guarantee of quality anymore. https://www.surpluscenter.com/Electrical/Switches/Toggle-Switches/
The Jalopy Journal
