OT. Microswitch

12/8/17, 6:40 PM #1

Kneale Brownson
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OT. Microswitch

Kneale Brownson

I have a microswitch I need to replace that says "landis&gyr" plus SAIA on one side and X003276. Plus. 912. On the other. Website for L&G has no switch inform on it I could find. Any suggestions?

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I’m a fairly spry 82-year-old who had been a reader/participant at WoodCentral since the demise of Badger Pond. I started visiting BP to learn something about finish for a project I’d completed and became hooked on internet forums as a way of increasing my knowledge about all sorts of topics. I have been a moderator for a couple other forums on subjects I enjoy. My interest in woodworking began in the early 1970’s when my wife and I had contractors add to our house near Traverse City, MI, and I ended up doing the trim work to reduce mounting costs. I had no tools. I bought a P-C skilsaw, hammer, screwdrivers and one of those wooden miter boxes with a backsaw. I made trim for windows and doors from one-by lumber and started my woodworking career. At the same time, I started a 50-year career as a ski instructor. I got onto the night shift at a mental hospital so I could ski days, and spent my 30s and 40s with that schedule. I eventually replaced the PC-upside-down-in-a-board with a real table saw and began the purchase of enough equipment to fill a jam-packed 40-foot shipping container we used after we sold our property in Michigan. The ski instructing had taken us to Colorado and we were spending too much on maintaining utilities for two homes. A couple years ago, the dozen years spent at 10,000 feet of elevation was making my body produce too many red blood cells, so we had to leave my “forever” home in the mountains and we moved back to Michigan. Now I have to find myself a shop space for all those tools in the container.

Re: OT. Microswitch

12/8/17, 8:18 PM #2

CJ in MPLS
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Re: OT. Microswitch

CJ in MPLS

Microswitches are not generally critical, i.e. they don't have to be one particular switch. So long as they fit into the intended location and work, no worries.

I'm of the opinion that you can probably find a suitable replacement switch in the SAIA catalog. (http://www.ermec.com/catalogos/2017/saia-switch-catalogs.pdf)

Re: OT. Microswitch

12/8/17, 8:21 PM #3

Brian Aust
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Re: OT. Microswitch

Brian Aust

Landis & Gyr was bought by Siemens, so you might check their products.

Re: OT. Microswitch

12/10/17, 1:20 PM #4

Kneale Brownson
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Re: OT. Microswitch

Kneale Brownson

Thanks for the link. Unfortunately, I have no idea how to read the specifications to choose the correct switch. This is what I have:

The red spot is a plunger that's activated by another part sliding past the switch. The black spots are holes for screws used to mount the switch.

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I’m a fairly spry 82-year-old who had been a reader/participant at WoodCentral since the demise of Badger Pond. I started visiting BP to learn something about finish for a project I’d completed and became hooked on internet forums as a way of increasing my knowledge about all sorts of topics. I have been a moderator for a couple other forums on subjects I enjoy. My interest in woodworking began in the early 1970’s when my wife and I had contractors add to our house near Traverse City, MI, and I ended up doing the trim work to reduce mounting costs. I had no tools. I bought a P-C skilsaw, hammer, screwdrivers and one of those wooden miter boxes with a backsaw. I made trim for windows and doors from one-by lumber and started my woodworking career. At the same time, I started a 50-year career as a ski instructor. I got onto the night shift at a mental hospital so I could ski days, and spent my 30s and 40s with that schedule. I eventually replaced the PC-upside-down-in-a-board with a real table saw and began the purchase of enough equipment to fill a jam-packed 40-foot shipping container we used after we sold our property in Michigan. The ski instructing had taken us to Colorado and we were spending too much on maintaining utilities for two homes. A couple years ago, the dozen years spent at 10,000 feet of elevation was making my body produce too many red blood cells, so we had to leave my “forever” home in the mountains and we moved back to Michigan. Now I have to find myself a shop space for all those tools in the container.

Re: OT. Microswitch

12/10/17, 1:30 PM #5

John K Jordan
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Re: OT. Microswitch

John K Jordan

That says 1/2A (500ma) and 24v, low voltage and amperage - typical of micro switches. (The contacts in microswitches are typically tiny and can't handle a lot of current) In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if the circuit this is used in uses even lower current and voltage.

With microswitches the thing to do is find one with the holes and the actuator button in the same place. This might be easy, considering all the microswitches I have here have the same hole size and spacing.

JKJ

Re: OT. Microswitch

12/10/17, 3:05 PM #6

Jim DeLaney, Austintown, Ohio
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Re: OT. Microswitch

Jim DeLaney, Austintown, Ohio

They're pretty much a common configuration. They're just about all the same physical size. Nearly all are designed for low voltage, low current applications, and have three solderable lugs.

The lugs are one common (usually the center one); one 'normally closed;' and one 'normally open.'

Take one of your failed switches to any electrical/electronic supply store and they'll be able to match it up for you with little or no problem. Cost will only be a few bucks. The switches are very common, and relatively inexpensive. In fact, I'd buy a couple extras while you're there, just to have them on hand for the next failure.

I've seen these switches used in eferything from a microwave oven door to an aircraft landing gear. Like I said: They're quite common.

Re: OT. Microswitch

12/11/17, 11:44 PM #7

Kneale Brownson
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Re: OT. Microswitch

Kneale Brownson

Unfortunately, the nearest electronics store is a 150-mile roundtrip

- - -

I’m a fairly spry 82-year-old who had been a reader/participant at WoodCentral since the demise of Badger Pond. I started visiting BP to learn something about finish for a project I’d completed and became hooked on internet forums as a way of increasing my knowledge about all sorts of topics. I have been a moderator for a couple other forums on subjects I enjoy. My interest in woodworking began in the early 1970’s when my wife and I had contractors add to our house near Traverse City, MI, and I ended up doing the trim work to reduce mounting costs. I had no tools. I bought a P-C skilsaw, hammer, screwdrivers and one of those wooden miter boxes with a backsaw. I made trim for windows and doors from one-by lumber and started my woodworking career. At the same time, I started a 50-year career as a ski instructor. I got onto the night shift at a mental hospital so I could ski days, and spent my 30s and 40s with that schedule. I eventually replaced the PC-upside-down-in-a-board with a real table saw and began the purchase of enough equipment to fill a jam-packed 40-foot shipping container we used after we sold our property in Michigan. The ski instructing had taken us to Colorado and we were spending too much on maintaining utilities for two homes. A couple years ago, the dozen years spent at 10,000 feet of elevation was making my body produce too many red blood cells, so we had to leave my “forever” home in the mountains and we moved back to Michigan. Now I have to find myself a shop space for all those tools in the container.

Re: OT. Microswitch

12/12/17, 4:50 AM #8

John K Jordan
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Re: OT. Microswitch

John K Jordan

>>>Unfortunately, the nearest electronics store is a 150-mile roundtrip

Amazon carries a lot of microswitches. Some look like yours. Those with a hinged lever will still work if you cut off the lever.

Re: OT. Microswitch

12/12/17, 4:53 PM #9

Kneale Brownson
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Re: OT. Microswitch

Kneale Brownson

Most of the lever versions have a squared-off button to press. Mine has a "A" top that gets pressed by an arm sliding past it.

- - -

I’m a fairly spry 82-year-old who had been a reader/participant at WoodCentral since the demise of Badger Pond. I started visiting BP to learn something about finish for a project I’d completed and became hooked on internet forums as a way of increasing my knowledge about all sorts of topics. I have been a moderator for a couple other forums on subjects I enjoy. My interest in woodworking began in the early 1970’s when my wife and I had contractors add to our house near Traverse City, MI, and I ended up doing the trim work to reduce mounting costs. I had no tools. I bought a P-C skilsaw, hammer, screwdrivers and one of those wooden miter boxes with a backsaw. I made trim for windows and doors from one-by lumber and started my woodworking career. At the same time, I started a 50-year career as a ski instructor. I got onto the night shift at a mental hospital so I could ski days, and spent my 30s and 40s with that schedule. I eventually replaced the PC-upside-down-in-a-board with a real table saw and began the purchase of enough equipment to fill a jam-packed 40-foot shipping container we used after we sold our property in Michigan. The ski instructing had taken us to Colorado and we were spending too much on maintaining utilities for two homes. A couple years ago, the dozen years spent at 10,000 feet of elevation was making my body produce too many red blood cells, so we had to leave my “forever” home in the mountains and we moved back to Michigan. Now I have to find myself a shop space for all those tools in the container.

Re: OT. Microswitch

12/12/17, 5:32 PM #10

John K Jordan
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Re: OT. Microswitch

John K Jordan

You can shape the button to suit - all I've seen are plastic. Or try this:

https://www.amazon.com/Actuator-Switch-Replacement-Pentair-Compool/dp/B01D3S9OPM

JKJ

Re: OT. Microswitch

12/12/17, 11:35 PM #11

Kneale Brownson
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Re: OT. Microswitch

Kneale Brownson

Giving Amazon a try

- - -

I’m a fairly spry 82-year-old who had been a reader/participant at WoodCentral since the demise of Badger Pond. I started visiting BP to learn something about finish for a project I’d completed and became hooked on internet forums as a way of increasing my knowledge about all sorts of topics. I have been a moderator for a couple other forums on subjects I enjoy. My interest in woodworking began in the early 1970’s when my wife and I had contractors add to our house near Traverse City, MI, and I ended up doing the trim work to reduce mounting costs. I had no tools. I bought a P-C skilsaw, hammer, screwdrivers and one of those wooden miter boxes with a backsaw. I made trim for windows and doors from one-by lumber and started my woodworking career. At the same time, I started a 50-year career as a ski instructor. I got onto the night shift at a mental hospital so I could ski days, and spent my 30s and 40s with that schedule. I eventually replaced the PC-upside-down-in-a-board with a real table saw and began the purchase of enough equipment to fill a jam-packed 40-foot shipping container we used after we sold our property in Michigan. The ski instructing had taken us to Colorado and we were spending too much on maintaining utilities for two homes. A couple years ago, the dozen years spent at 10,000 feet of elevation was making my body produce too many red blood cells, so we had to leave my “forever” home in the mountains and we moved back to Michigan. Now I have to find myself a shop space for all those tools in the container.

Re: OT. Microswitch

12/13/17, 1:21 PM #12

Larry Clinton At Frankfort, (Central) Indiana
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Re: OT. Microswitch may be "Cherry" brand

Larry Clinton At Frankfort, (Central) Indiana

"Microswitch" is a brand name. Other manufacture's also make miniature switches per your picture (in fact it is possible, but not likely, that Landis made the one in question.

Measuring the switch dimensions (thickness, length, height, and hole positions and then the actuator position and height) (You also have to compare the electrical specifications to be sure you meet or exceed the ratings of the existing switch)and comparing it to the dimensions of Microswitches does not provide a match.

If you do not find a suitable match, try Cherry switches as they are one of the largest competitors of Microswitch.

If all else fails you may need to change the design by adding additional mounting holes or bracket and using one of the standard switches available.

- - -

I am 68 - be 69 in May 2010, have been retired about 4 years from Emerson Electric where I worked as a Engineer for about 40 years. Woodworking is my hobby, I refuse to do any woodworking for money as I am afraid it would become another job. I am very lucky to have a great woodworking shop. My son's and friends helped build it a couple years before I retired. It is a 30 X 30 shop with a 30 X 10 upstairs storage room, heated and air conditioned. I saved and purchased much of my equipment before I retired. I am busier now than when I worked, but seem to get little done :~>. I helped my son remodel his home, made all the woodwork from rough white oak, finished the vanity (from locust), lower kitchen cabinets (cherry) built cedar lined oak chest for my DIL, built a bathroom for my best friend and in process of building storage cabinets for SWMBO.

Re: OT. Microswitch

12/14/17, 1:18 PM #13

Kneale Brownson
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Re: OT. Microswitch from Amazon

Kneale Brownson

Amazing??

Amazon reports one microswitch will arrive Dec. 18-19, the other JAN. 5-29!!!

- - -

I’m a fairly spry 82-year-old who had been a reader/participant at WoodCentral since the demise of Badger Pond. I started visiting BP to learn something about finish for a project I’d completed and became hooked on internet forums as a way of increasing my knowledge about all sorts of topics. I have been a moderator for a couple other forums on subjects I enjoy. My interest in woodworking began in the early 1970’s when my wife and I had contractors add to our house near Traverse City, MI, and I ended up doing the trim work to reduce mounting costs. I had no tools. I bought a P-C skilsaw, hammer, screwdrivers and one of those wooden miter boxes with a backsaw. I made trim for windows and doors from one-by lumber and started my woodworking career. At the same time, I started a 50-year career as a ski instructor. I got onto the night shift at a mental hospital so I could ski days, and spent my 30s and 40s with that schedule. I eventually replaced the PC-upside-down-in-a-board with a real table saw and began the purchase of enough equipment to fill a jam-packed 40-foot shipping container we used after we sold our property in Michigan. The ski instructing had taken us to Colorado and we were spending too much on maintaining utilities for two homes. A couple years ago, the dozen years spent at 10,000 feet of elevation was making my body produce too many red blood cells, so we had to leave my “forever” home in the mountains and we moved back to Michigan. Now I have to find myself a shop space for all those tools in the container.

Re: OT. Microswitch

12/14/17, 3:11 PM #14

Jim DeLaney, Austintown, Ohio
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Re: OT. Microswitch from Amazon

Jim DeLaney, Austintown, Ohio

Aren't you familiar with the saying: "Slow boat from China?"

Re: OT. Microswitch

12/14/17, 8:39 PM #15

Kneale Brownson
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Re: OT. Microswitch from Amazon

Kneale Brownson

Didn't realize till I "tracked" the package on Amazon and learned it's coming via CHINA POST.

- - -

I’m a fairly spry 82-year-old who had been a reader/participant at WoodCentral since the demise of Badger Pond. I started visiting BP to learn something about finish for a project I’d completed and became hooked on internet forums as a way of increasing my knowledge about all sorts of topics. I have been a moderator for a couple other forums on subjects I enjoy. My interest in woodworking began in the early 1970’s when my wife and I had contractors add to our house near Traverse City, MI, and I ended up doing the trim work to reduce mounting costs. I had no tools. I bought a P-C skilsaw, hammer, screwdrivers and one of those wooden miter boxes with a backsaw. I made trim for windows and doors from one-by lumber and started my woodworking career. At the same time, I started a 50-year career as a ski instructor. I got onto the night shift at a mental hospital so I could ski days, and spent my 30s and 40s with that schedule. I eventually replaced the PC-upside-down-in-a-board with a real table saw and began the purchase of enough equipment to fill a jam-packed 40-foot shipping container we used after we sold our property in Michigan. The ski instructing had taken us to Colorado and we were spending too much on maintaining utilities for two homes. A couple years ago, the dozen years spent at 10,000 feet of elevation was making my body produce too many red blood cells, so we had to leave my “forever” home in the mountains and we moved back to Michigan. Now I have to find myself a shop space for all those tools in the container.

Re: OT. Microswitch

12/15/17, 1:48 PM #16

Don Evans
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Re: OT. Microswitch may be "Cherry" brand

Don Evans

You are talking about an "eponym".

But the opposite can happen also, think a second about an apple? Apple company foiled everyone buy making their brand from a common verb.

They do not have to worry about what has happen to Xerox and Kleenex.

Everybody I know will say "hand me a Kleenex" instead of: "hand me a facial tissue".

Now people don't want to use eponym and instead are using "generic verbalization" or something similar to that. Noun verse Verb.

But who really cares, right?

Don

Re: OT. Microswitch

12/15/17, 3:35 PM #17

John K Jordan
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Re: OT. Microswitch may be "Cherry" brand

John K Jordan

Words are fascinating. The best I can find the term eponym used be the person or thing for whom or which something is or is believed to be named. (e.g. Merriam Webster). Popular usage has apparently caused a change from the source to the thing derived from the source and then more commonly to a generic name derived from a brand name.

I have a bobcat with John Deere on the side though Bobcat makes many things besides skid steers and John Deere was a real person. I guess the catchiest and easiest to say term wins. I also use a few sawzalls, made by Bosch and Dewalt. I hope Milwaukee isn't upset.

JKJ

Re: OT. Microswitch

12/15/17, 7:36 PM #18

George Koch
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Re: OT. Microswitch may be "Cherry" brand

George Koch

After a lifetime of using a circular saw daily I still call it a "Skillsaw"! George

OT. Microswitch

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