Anybody have any novel or simple methods to protect switches like an SMB penthouse momentary switch from the hands of curious toddlers?

Would also be looking for similar protection for norcold fridge controls and inverters, radio switches, etc.

Duct tape on the kids hands is not a (legal) option.

__________________
'04 EB-350 6.0 PSD SMB 4x4, PH, EB-50, Aluminess F/R

While we never child proofed anything with our little guy, now 7, around the house or in the rig, as our method consisted more of action/consequences-if you do/touch that again, we'll have to take away your (stuffie, blanky, game), we know lots of people that child proofed their entire house with plastic covers, locks, foam, gates and removed any and everything of value or breakables, and guess what, their child never learned or had any boundaries and are still into things they shouldn't be. My best advice is to take these moments to teach them vs. preventing them, closing off access or always having to tell them "no", you will have better results in the future, of course this was our experience. Or there's always duct tape.....for the switches, or the kid. Ok, parenting lesson over....

__________________
'03 Ford E350 7.3L Diesel
(de)SMB'd Custom RB-50
Quigley 4X4 w/Deavers & Agile Offroad's R.I.P. package
CCV High Profile Pop Top

Thanks. Our toddler and grabby infant have both generally been pretty good, but the 1 yr old isn't quite of age to fully understand consequences just yet. We also have other kids around (not ours) that love switches and what not. Right now, I'd rather protect those switches. 5 seconds playing with a penthouse switch can cause a lot of very expensive damage. The teaching lesson might be very costly.

__________________
'04 EB-350 6.0 PSD SMB 4x4, PH, EB-50, Aluminess F/R

If it's something that can cause a real expensive repair like bending PH bars you can always cut in a keyed power switch



Not too useful for multiple apps but could be worth the install in some cases.

Attached Thumbnails

 

__________________
2006 Ford 6.0PSD EB-50/E-PH SMB 4X4 Rock Crawler Trailer

Sportsmobile 4X4 Adventures..........On and off road adventures

I just installed a push button momentary switch in line with my penthouse top circuit. This way, you have to hold in the pushbutton while activating the up/down rocker to make it do anything. It is also a reminder for me to make sure all the latches are undone before hitting the button.

My two year old continues to switch on and off the LED light near his seat. I'm with REF on this one - that will be a cheap training tool if it sees too much use. My 5 year old already knows that we don't 'play' with the switches and happily helps policing her little brother.

This will be more of a pain on an existing van, but I wired my old van such that it had a master switch for all the lights. Having all the power disconnected at all times except when needed keeps the gratification of a light coming on when you hit the switch to a minimum.

As far as childproofing the actual switch, I don't have much. Sorry!

__________________
Josh
2009 Express AWD, CCV Top & 50-ish home build. Daily driver/camper/kid hauler

I think in general this manner ^^ is best as it requires a conscious effort to engage something such as a lifting mechanism. Because it has a "dead man" function should stopping mid-stream become necessary its simply a matter of stepping away from the switches.

While I don't have any kids I'm with those suggesting the "don't touch or consequences will ensue............". Just make sure the consequences do occur for max benefit.

I used Duct Tape. Works great when they are too noisy also.

Funny story:

When my daughter was just 4 years old, the "New Gas Station", an AM/PM opened in our neighborhood with a huge Grand Opening with free drinks and Hot Dogs... and cheap gas.

We like everyone else in the area were there for the party.

All 16 pumps were backed up with people filling up with the cheap gas - and then all of a sudden everything stopped working and all the pumps went dead. People started coming in to the registers complaining and the staff and manager were in a panic trying to get the new system back up and running, even rebooting the whole system.

Then I look outside and see my cute little redheaded daughter standing right next to the wonderfully enticing RED emergency shutoff switch...

DUCT TAPE... hands and feet!

__________________
Four time Baja 1000 winner, four time Baja 500 winner. Solo'ed the Baja 1000 to LaPaz/Cabo twice.
4-Wheeling since 1972, Desert Racing since 1989.

AgileOffRoad.com

and then you said 'who's kid is that?' while backing away?

__________________
SMB-less as of 02/04/2012. Our savings account is richer, but our adventures are poorer.

Wow, when did SMB quit using momentary PH switches? Seems like a poor move not to have that type of switch unless there is some kind of current limiter. Even with a push button switch I managed to bend my bars when the rear hook caught the latch hole. I now turn the hook so it can't or has less of a chance of grabbing.

__________________
2006 Ford 6.0PSD EB-50/E-PH SMB 4X4 Rock Crawler Trailer

Sportsmobile 4X4 Adventures..........On and off road adventures

My '06 had the momentary rocker switch. Kind of annoying to stand there holding it, but I wouldn't have had it any other way.


Herb

__________________
SMB-less as of 02/04/2012. Our savings account is richer, but our adventures are poorer.