OK, I trying to reuse an old heater switch with the Bakelite knob as the heater switch on my project. The switch actually works, but it has two male flat spade connectors for the wires to connect to. These spades are 5/16" wide and have a raised section in the middle. Everything I'm seeing as female spades are 1/4" wide. I'm going to need to connect 12 gauge wires to this switch for the blower motor to handle the amps. I would really rather not have to file the edges of the switch terminals down so the modern terminal ends will fit, if I don't have to. Does anyone know where I can look for the yellow (10-12 gauge wire) female 5/16" wide spade terminals? While I'm asking dumb questions, does anyone know how to pull off this Bakelite knob without killing it? I don't see any set screws, but I'm a little concerned about prying it up. Gene
Del City. What style do you want? Many 12 ga choices: https://www.delcity.net/store/Push!On-Terminals/p_801898
These guys.…. http://www.riwire.com/ Look under 'supplies'. This is an obsolete size, you'll need a 'vintage' specialty supplier. They have the ones you need. Probably cost you a small fortune and you'll need the special crimper for them too. Be far cheaper to file them down to 1/4" size....
All of the above only have spade terminals for .250 wide (1/4") and they do not fit on the switch terminals. I need female spades for terminals .3125 wide for a 10-12 gauge wire. Any other suggestions? 302GMC thanks for the heads up on the knob, hopefully it will pull off and still be intact. The switch and the panel came from a swap meet years ago, I had no ides what it came off of. Thanks Gene
Many styles have a 10-12 ga tab??? Click on the tab. https://www.delcity.net/store/Partially!Insulated,-Clear-Nylon/p_806018.h_806019
I found this: http://www.easternbeaver.com/Main/Elec__Products/Connectors/312_Connectors/312_connectors.html I'm sure you can get those to work. You don't have to use the plastic plug.
...or drill out the spade centers and use a small machine screw & nut. Then use a common eyelet terminal. All of the heater switches I have here were using eyelet connections when new. One thing about those under-dash resistor switches is that they run very hot, and if you used a cheaply made thin push-on terminal, it could loosen from heat cycles.
Found and bought some. www.repairconnector.com The connectors are also used on headlights! Thanks, Gene