Underhood Car Alarm Trigger Switches?

[JWA]

Would like to re-add a trigger switch under the hood of my E-Series, have used those horribly poor quality switches costing upwards of $2 each, last maybe a year or two before corrosion renders them inoperative.

Since they're not enclosed or weather resistant in the least something more suitable to exterior use in an automotive setting would be ideal, it would be configured as a normally open switch accommodating 16 gauge or lighter wire.

If anyone has a suggestion it would be very much appreciated.

TIA

[E-350]

What about marine grade/ boating switches? They should be sealed properly

[JWA]

Originally Posted by E-350

What about marine grade/ boating switches? They should be sealed properly

Naturally that's a great idea----was thinking more along the lines of Allen-Bradley industrial machine switches--those are very robust as well.

Thanks E-350!

[BrianW]

Or hit a junkyard and pull a few OEM door switches?

[JWA]

Originally Posted by BrianW

Or hit a junkyard and pull a few OEM door switches?

Thanks for the idea BrianW!

But that's just something I'm not prone to do----my days of tromping through scrap yards looking for parts readily available brand new and far more convenient to find and have shipped to me are long, long gone.

The OEM type door switches are good examples---I can find those at NAPA etc, the only real problem would be finding the factory-type chassis wiring connectors.

[Timerider]

JWA,

How about a rubber-sealed starter switch like this, from your local auto-parts store?

Can't get the picture to post, but here's a link:

https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/c...+switch&pos=15

This switch runs $13 and change at O'Reilly Auto Parts.

[JWA]

That might not work due its physical size---a bit too large for the anticipated space I believe.

Thanks for the idea though!

[Timerider]

JWA,

If space and weatherproofing are both issues, have you considered using a reed switch type proximity sensor/switch and a small permanent magnet?

With their contacts sealed in a glass tube (which is often enclosed in a plastic housing that can be filled with RTV silicone or other filler), reed switches are inherently waterproof.

The only drawback to reed switches is current handling. Would your alarm system be passing more than 0.5 Amps through its sensing loop?

If not, here's a possible solution that's small in form factor, and very cost effective. However, you might need to fill the housing around the glass tube of the reed switch with RTV yourself, for vibration resistance, if it isn't already potted with something suitable:

https://www.amazon.com/Magnetic-Norm...s%2C202&sr=8-1

Mike

[JWA]

Hey Mike---thanks again for the brainstorming ideas!

I was hoping to keep this as super simple as possible, thought finding a "better" stock pin switch would be relatively easy. I've not yet devoted a ton of time researching the 'net for something of the same form factor but more highly robust and long-lived.

The magnetic proximity switches are a good idea but a bit more involved than I care to utilize at the moment.

Your help is greatly appreciated!

J W

[Scalf77]

This one is Nickel Plated and has a rubber boot cover.


-greg