Hi. I seem to recall mention of a waterproof switch in previous threads on electric bilge pumps. I'm in the process of putting together the gear needed to install a pump in my boat and I'm having a hard time tracking down a waterproof switch (either toggle or push button). Does anybody have any leads? Make and model number would be appreciated so I can get the marine parts dealer here to order it in. Also any opinion on Rule versus Attwood? Thanks! Steve Davis *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
From: "Davis, Stephen G FOR:EX" <Stephen.Davis_at_gems4.gov.bc.ca> > I'm in the process of putting together the gear > needed to install a pump in my boat and I'm having a hard time tracking down > a waterproof switch (either toggle or push button). Does anybody have any > leads? I went to a local electronics surplus shop and found a "waterproof" switch for $2. It was only waterproof in the sense of having a flexible plastic cover over the rocker; the rest of the switch was open. I wired it up and, using a 35mm photo film container as a mold, encased the entire body of the switch in epoxy. More work, but a lot cheaper than the switches I found at the marine supply shops. > Also any opinion on Rule versus Attwood? When looking for a pump, I searched online and found several references to comparisons of these and other pumps. Alex's pointers are probably the main ones. They did find that Attwood pumps were good, as was a single Whale model (this in the category of small pumps that we'd be interested in). The thing I discovered from my research was that Attwood conservatively rates their pumps. They are consistent in underrating the capacity and power requirements compared to other manufacturers. This was a strong influence in my buying an Attwood - you actually know what you're getting! One interesting thing is that the Attwood 625 uses less power than the Attwood 500! The smallest pump isn't necessarily the lowest power. I did a test of the pump in the laundry sink where I put on a length of hose twice as long as the kayak required. I then forced the pump to drive water to the same height as the kayak would require. While the rating of the pump is one amp under these conditions, I measured 0.9A drawn under full power. My VOM couldn't measure peak draw on power up, though I would guess there's a short spike in current above 1A. One advantage of the Atwood 625 is that it can be powered with the smallest battery compared to other pumps. Mike *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
I use different type of "waterproof" switches. Non of them is waterproof on itself, I have to make them. Sometimes I use a normal flat push-button und glue a flexible cover over it, like Michael, and best for the other side is to glue it completely with Sika or 3M 5200, after you connected the cable. I tried an empty 35mm film container, like Michael, but Epoxi-Glue and Sika failed and it never get really waterproof for longer. Maybe a question on the material the film-container is made from. There is a toggle-button on the maritime-market, donīt know the name. You screw it into the wall, and screw a thick plastic cover on the wet side, then it isnīt ready for submersible but a good start. Put some Sika around the cover and then ist is absolutely waterproof. But this kind of switch isnīt so practicle. Too long, so I only use them in more hidden parts in my kayaks. Best wet sitch is a magnetic one. Solder a reed-contact on a cable and put several strips of shrink tube over it. Each one let stay a little bit over the reed-contact in empty room, shrink it and fold the empty part on the hot shrink tube and place the next one over it, after few strips it will be 100 per cent watertight. then check out which side of the reed is the "switiching" one and glue it inside your boat and place a magnet on the outer side that way, you can pull it on the reed-contact and only YOU can do so and no wave! Inside your compartment you have to connect Battery, Reed-Contact and bilge-pump (or what ever yo want) on a relay and place all this stuff inside a (thight) box and ready. Lots of work but waterproof and you need a relay, otherwise the high Ampere-stream wil cause problems on your Reed-Contact, its only made for low Ampere-power. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
"Davis, Stephen G FOR:EX" <Stephen.Davis_at_gems4.gov.bc.ca> wrote: > I'm in the process of putting together the gear > needed to install a pump in my boat and I'm having a hard time tracking down > a waterproof switch (either toggle or push button). Does anybody have any > leads? Hi Davis, you can easily make one youself. Have a look on my site: http://www.faltboot.net/DIY/Lenzpumpe/lenzpumpe.html sorry, it is in German :-( If you need more information, send me an Email backchannel. Rainer -- Rainer Schroeter, Marburg (Lahn), Germany *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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