Source for Odd Size Rocker Switches?

Lil Foot

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1979 B7100DT Gear, Nissan Hanix N150-2 Excavator
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I need some Rocker Switches for the instrument cluster on my Mini Ex project.
STSP, 15a or 20a, lighted or not. Need (4).
I would like them to fit the existing holes in the panel, so I don't have to fabricate adapters & such.
Problem is, I can't find anything to fit the existing holes.
Depending on your measurement preferences:

.940" X 1.690"

15/16" X 1 1/16"

24mm X 43mm

Plenty of depth available, panel is .063", 1/16", or 1.6mm thk.

Any ideas?
IMG_0015 1.JPG
 
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Mark_BX25D

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I think your best bet is to use that space, but scrap the existing panel and make your own to fit that space.

Life would get a lot easier that way. You will have almost unlimited options.
 
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PoTreeBoy

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The largest mounting hole I've found is Sea Dog @ 7/8 x 1-7/16.
You could make a sheet metal bezel to cover the existing hole and screw or rivet it on. Them, use a smaller switch.
Or, weld in a filler. One of the large switches might cover the seam.
 

Yooper

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This place has 15 thousand different rocker switches. If you can’t find it here, I would make up my own panel from scratch.
 
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DustyRusty

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Take the existing switch out and look for any manufacturer's identification markings. If it says CH, that could be Cuttler Hammer or Cole Hersee. Many of the equipment manufacturers are now using Carling switches. Cole Hersee got bought out by littlefuse, and I don't believe that they are continuing with making small switches, but you can find new discontinued stock switches on eBay many times that will fit your needs. That is where I buy my Carling switches for less than buying them from a traditional supplier.
 

Lil Foot

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I even put the original switch under my 400X microscope- no marking whatsoever. :cry:
Looks like I'm going to be spending some time in the shop.
I have some spares for an auxiliary dash I built for my Rhino years ago, up at the cabin. Don't remember the size or how many, but I guess I will check those before I dive in.
DSC00006.JPG
 

GreensvilleJay

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Mark_BX25D

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The largest mounting hole I've found is Sea Dog @ 7/8 x 1-7/16.
You could make a sheet metal bezel to cover the existing hole and screw or rivet it on. Them, use a smaller switch.
Or, weld in a filler. One of the large switches might cover the seam.

Why do a half-***** butcher job when he can buy acrylic panel material in any size and use basic woodworking tools and techniques to make a beautiful new instrument panel that does exactly what he wants?

He can make it in just about any color or pattern he wants and have something to be proud of, instead of a mess of a hack job.

 

GreensvilleJay

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much better to use Polycarb than acrylic ! polycarb is 100% easy machinable, acrylic(aka Plexglas) isn't
 
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PoTreeBoy

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Why do a half-***** butcher job when he can buy acrylic panel material in any size and use basic woodworking tools and techniques to make a beautiful new instrument panel that does exactly what he wants?

He can make it in just about any color or pattern he wants and have something to be proud of, instead of a mess of a hack job.

Wake up a little grouchy? :) You already posted your suggestion - no reason to run mine down. If he wants to, he can make a complete new panel out of metal. Personally, I stay away from plastic for something like this - look at the cover over the tach/hour meter.
Ultimately, he'll do what he wants.
 
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Mark_BX25D

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I don't have to wake up grouchy to have a low opinion of hack jobs.

I've had to clean up after too many of them.
 
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Mark_BX25D

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much better to use Polycarb than acrylic ! polycarb is 100% easy machinable, acrylic(aka Plexglas) isn't

100% correct. Thanks for pointing that out. The acrylic can be worked, but not easily. Worse, it would be too brittle for a vibration machine like a tractor.

Maybe even better would be ABS, if you can find it in something like 1/8" thick. I used a 1/16" thick sheet of it on a panel for a pickup, but it was small (maybe 5"x3") and didn't need to support much. It came with a textured surface so it looked good.
 

sagor

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Jan 9, 2017
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I need some Rocker Switches for the instrument cluster on my Mini Ex project.
STSP, 15a or 20a, lighted or not. Need (4).
I would like them to fit the existing holes in the panel, so I don't have to fabricate adapters & such.
Problem is, I can't find anything to fit the existing holes.
Depending on your measurement preferences:

.940" X 1.690"

15/16" X 1 1/16"

24mm X 43mm

Plenty of depth available, panel is .063", 1/16", or 1.6mm thk.

Any ideas?
View attachment 73307
The hole size is larger than most rocker switches. I did find one that needs a 44mm x 22mm hole, a L21D1S001-AZZ00-000 by Carling Technologies.

It is a DPST, but you can use just one pole. I don't think it is lit however.
L12D1S001-AZZ00-000 is the SPST type
 

JimmyJazz

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There is nothing wrong with the original Mad Max era set up. I wonder what the rest of it looks like. The distressed look is in style. Its only a tractor. Not like your front teeth.
 

Lil Foot

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From everything I can tell, there are no switches available anymore that will fit correctly in the existing holes. Therefore I will pick new switches, and either make adapters to make new switches fit, (likely) or a new panel from scratch. (less likely)
The whole idea was to find switches that fit, so that I didn't have to invest a lot of time in this, because my time is not my own these days. If it was, a new machined aluminum, SS, & glass fabrication would be likely.
At some point, I will remove the broken plastic, and clean up the indicator lights and such, and cover with new plastic.
Like JimmyJazz says, it don't have to be pretty, we ain't building a church here.

Thanks for all the input!
 

rbargeron

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I was looking for replacement rocker switches for an older commercial donut fryer - found several on eBay -example here. I got a type with dustproof bezel - covered the oversized holes.
 

mikester

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I think your best bet is to use that space, but scrap the existing panel and make your own to fit that space.

Life would get a lot easier that way. You will have almost unlimited options.
If the holes are too big there are inserts that surround the switch to fill the gap.

google rectangular rocker switch bushing

If you have access to a 3D printer this is a good use for it you can make your own.

If the holes are too small get out a file.
 

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