I need some switches

[84GNwith87eng]

Hey people, I'm looking for some high amp (>30) switches, must be on-off-on

I'm going to be putting them in a switchpanel, but I can't seem to find 'em anywhere?

Anyone know a good place to buy these online?

 

[2QUIK6]

I found some at the local auto parts store, but they are huge toggle switches when they are for that high of amps, very ugly. I think they were rated for 40 or 45A. Pep Boys and Hi-Lo had them.

 

[84GNwith87eng]

I couldn't find the on-off-on ones at pepboys...

 

[2QUIK6]

The ones I found were only 2 position on/off switches, and were metal instead of the common plastic ones. I was needing them for my electric trailer brake controller as the darn thing had no on/off switch so the controller was on all the time!

 

[wagon]

You could always use a low amperage on-off-on switch, and a pair of relays.

 

[84GNwith87eng]

do you think somewhere like sear's hardware would carry them?

 

[2QUIK6]

do you think somewhere like sear's hardware would carry them?

I would try an electronic supply place or electrical conponents supply, may try searching the web for that type of place. There's a place here locally called Moser Electronics Supply..not sure if they are nationally or not.

 

[wagon]

Try here: This one i rated for 10A @250V, and 15A @125V. I think that would be ok for 30A 12V, but not sure. Anyone else know?
http://www.allelectronics.com/cgi-bin/category.cgi?category=700400&item=RS-116&type=store

 

[Dwayne]

have you tried RadioShack ?..maybe this will help...radioshack automotive switches

 

[2QUIK6]

have you tried RadioShack ?..maybe this will help...radioshack automotive switches

The largest one RS carries is this one for 30A http://www.radioshack.com/product.a..._name=CTLG_011_002_015_001&product_id=275-712

Anything with a smaller rating amps wise is not a goodchoice to use if you are looking for >30A because its amperage that usually starts a fire...thats why your fuses are amperage rated and not volts rated. Amperage is current flow, the higher the flow and hotter the part will get.

 

[TR Custom Parts]

Relays are the way to go!

 

[Hot Air]

Check with Caspers Electronics. John can fix you up. Google Caspers.
Conrad

 

[ajt86]

running 30 amps through a switch is alot- do what they said and use a relay

 

[DonnieShort]

These aren't rated that high, but they are cool and work great. Switch panel is from Mark H. and the switches are from Wal Mart.

 

[salvageV6]

First you, and we, need to know what the load is such as motor/inductive load or lamps lighting small inductive load or something more like a resistive load?

IE. what are you trying to switch?

Use relays if it's for fan loads. Keep the relays out near the fans and trigger the coils with a lower current nice toggle switch.

If the load is in the cabin of the car near the switch you might find a switch rated at 40 amps. from say Newark electronics, DigiKey, Allied, Mouser etc.

The wiring will have to be large gauge going to the switch and back to the load in order to avoid a voltage drop using either a switch or a relay, but normally relays are located near the load for this reason and the coil doesn't take much current to run so most any toggle switch will work well from a long wiring distance to the trigger switch.

For a real 40 amp. load I'd probably use a 70A relay, NTE made one one time RS1-1070-12F.

If the inrush is the 40 amp.s. and it's steady state current is lower a 40 amp. relay is a good choice.

Just my .02.

 

[salvageV6]

Hey lookie what I found ya.

Google is a wonderful thing.

http://www.backwoodssolar.com/Catalogpages2/wiring2.htm#DC SWITCHES & OUTLETS

Middle of the page a toggle rated 50A and on/off/on operation, your lucky day.

With a name like back woods solar what's not to trust?

I get the free granola bar when you place your order.

PS: If it's really rated at 50A 12volts it's almost worth the $7, although I didn't check shipping.

 

[84GNwith87eng]

Thanks!!!