industrial rotary switch puzzle - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: jonovid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 28, 2016, 06:13:02 am
content: industrial rotary switch puzzleI am trying to figure out is how to get the knob off this Chinese 3 position rotary switch?the 3 position selector knob must come off so it can be panel mounted.i have spent years disassembling stuff. so a rotary switch should be a piece of cake.its even kidproof. - ps Nojust hammer it or hit very hard- suggestions.

author: IanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 28, 2016, 06:22:46 am
content: It looks like you would unscrew the knurled rings?But why does it say push button switch on the side if it is a rotary switch?

author: jonovid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 28, 2016, 06:37:33 am
content: Quotedid try to unscrew the knurled rings but the knob diameter is too wide . the knob is blocking the rings.yes it says push button switch but its 3 position rotary switch with two push switches at the back.also their is a hole running down the middle of the switch body, but no tabs or slots that I can see.

author: ataradov
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 28, 2016, 06:44:51 am
content: This is a standard Chinese design. Unscrew the black knob first. It may not look like it unscrews, but it does.BTW, this thing is "industrial" only in imagination of its creator, it is very cheaply made and will start getting stuck after very little use. I suggest you disassemble and lubricate all the moving parts.PS: I only used emergency switch of the same design, but it is basically the same thing.

author: IanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 28, 2016, 06:46:20 am
content: The white knurled ring unscrews from the base, as you can see here:http://www.goodluckbuy.com/lay7-pbcy090-lay37-2-position-switch-rotate-button-.htmlThe photos there clearly show more visible screw threads than are seen in your picture.I would say the top has been screwed down very tight in your example and that makes it seem like it won't move.Are you sure the silver part doesn't unscrew first so that you can remove it before unscrewing the base part?

author: ataradov
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 28, 2016, 06:54:30 am
content: Quote from: IanB on November 28, 2016, 06:46:20 amIt actually has internal threads with diameter less than the knob, so the knob must go first, and it should just unscrew. Although if this switch can work in both directions, then there must be some other way it is fixed. I'd say apply brute force to one for science

author: IanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 28, 2016, 06:59:49 am
content: Quote from: ataradov on November 28, 2016, 06:54:30 amWhen you say "knob", do you mean the black switch part, or the silver retaining ring? Normally I would expect the silver retaining ring to unscrew so that the black switch part can disengaged from the mechanism in the switch housing.

author: ataradov
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 28, 2016, 07:01:05 am
content: Quote from: IanB on November 28, 2016, 06:59:49 amThe black part.Quote from: IanB on November 28, 2016, 06:59:49 amThe silver part does nothing, but hold the switch to the panel.

author: ataradov
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 28, 2016, 07:05:11 am
content: Here is how this looks on one of the switches I have.

author: IanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 28, 2016, 07:05:28 am
content: Quote from: ataradov on November 28, 2016, 07:01:05 amThat makes sense, but then I don't understand why it doesn't just unscrew?

author: ataradov
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 28, 2016, 07:08:15 am
content: Quote from: IanB on November 28, 2016, 07:05:28 amIt does, after you remove the black actuator. Now on emergency switch you can only turn it CW to unlock after it was engaged, so having that red dome unsrew when turned CCW is not a big deal. If this one can be turned either way, then there must be some other way to retain that black part. Unless it just sits there tight, which I would not put past "designers" of this thing

author: IanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 28, 2016, 07:08:43 am
content: Quote from: ataradov on November 28, 2016, 07:05:11 amRight. In your picture the red button is bigger than the silver ring, so it has to be unscrewed first. But in the OP's picture, the black rotary switch is smaller than the silver ring. So the silver ring should unscrew right over the top of it.

author: jonovid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 28, 2016, 07:09:41 am
content: now i see no the ring will still not unsrew when turned either way. did try pulling & pushing the knob in .

author: ataradov
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 28, 2016, 07:13:19 am
content: Quote from: IanB on November 28, 2016, 07:08:43 amBut it still looks like it would be too tight, unless the picture is deceiving.

author: ataradov
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 28, 2016, 07:15:37 am
content: Quote from: jonovid on November 28, 2016, 07:09:41 amSo, which way it disassembles?

author: jonovid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 28, 2016, 07:23:24 am
content: if I disassemble it from the side tabs it may never go back the same way .

author: ataradov
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 28, 2016, 07:27:00 am
content: Quote from: jonovid on November 28, 2016, 07:23:24 amI disassembled this thing to bits and assembled it back, it went back just fine.Here is a different version of this switchhttp://www.ebay.com/itm/Rotary-Three-3-Position-Selector-Switch-Power-Ignition-/170655659661Clearly the black thing must go first.NOTE: The listing above actually shows how to remove the knobIt looks like you just need to pull on it real hard.

author: IanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 28, 2016, 07:30:06 am
content: It unscrews from the top. If you can't do it with your fingers, use tools. Wrap some cloth around the white knurled ring at the base and grip it with some channel lock pliers. Then do the same with the silver knurled ring and twist it counter clockwise until it moves. Once free it should turn with the fingers. If the black rotary switch part prevents the silver ring from coming right off, you will have to unscrew that too (or pop it off, according to design). But I suspect the silver ring will slip over the top.Quote from: ataradov on November 28, 2016, 07:27:00 amI am still unconvinced that is necessary in this particular switch model. It will be easy enough to find out once the silver ring starts turning.

author: ataradov
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 28, 2016, 07:33:40 am
content: Quote from: IanB on November 28, 2016, 07:30:06 amI believe it already does based on the OP descriptions. But there is no way it will unscrew first. The thread diameter is probably 2-3 mm smaller than the bigger diameter and the switch here is not that loose.

author: IanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 28, 2016, 07:38:51 am
content: We need jonovid to provide more details.Does the silver retaining ring turn at all?If it turns, does it then seem like the black switch is in the way?If the black switch is in the way, is there any kind of opening or hole in the underside to insert a screwdriver and pop it off?

author: jonovid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 28, 2016, 07:42:55 am
content: QuoteyesQuoteyesQuotenoI will try more ring fiddling added this

author: ataradov
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 28, 2016, 07:45:48 am
content: At this point I don't see what the problem is. You clearly need to pull on the black thing, may be wiggle it from side to side.All those switches are made from interchangeable components, and on the new pictures you can see how much narrower the silver ring is from below.

author: IanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 28, 2016, 07:57:02 am
content: Quote from: jonovid on November 28, 2016, 07:42:55 amPlease show pictures of the black knob from all sides.At this point I suspect you need to place your thumb underneath it and push hard sideways and outwards until it pops off.

author: ataradov
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 28, 2016, 07:59:01 am
content: Quote from: IanB on November 28, 2016, 07:57:02 amYep, that's it. You may need to apply quite a bit of force, but to be honest you will do yourself a favor if you destroy this thing

author: jonovid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 28, 2016, 08:06:40 am
content: Quotewhen all else failsuse the force luke,violence against Chinese rotary switcheshere is the Chinese switch trick, the black knob has a white plastic clip. its the arrow on the black knob. by pulling it off the inside tabs are free to move and the black knob will pull off if you add force it it.here is the black knob and its hidden lock.thank you all