Switch extender - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / projects

author: ThomasDK
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 01, 2013, 04:43:35 am
content: Does anyone know what these things are called?I'm building a bench supply, and I want to keep the mains switch near the power input at the back.I have also seen it done with a dummy switch, connected to a rear switch by a bicycle-brake style cable.Google gives me nothing, must be using the wrong search terms

author: Jon86
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 01, 2013, 11:58:11 am
content: I don't know what they're called, but they're probably very specific to the application, I doubt you'll find just a generic 'switch extender'Your best bet is probably to just try and find a piece of plastic that fits the bill. Maybe one of those lengths of square plastic tube?

author: dumpystig
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 01, 2013, 12:10:30 pm
content: I'm also building a Bench PSU and I'm going to use a IEC inlet c/w fuse, switch and neon. It will be mounted at the back.You should find something suitable here >http://www.bulgin.co.uk/PDFs/Cat83_sections/Polysnap-2010.pdf

author: ThomasDK
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 01, 2013, 07:58:32 pm
content: Quote from: Jon86 on December 01, 2013, 11:58:11 amThat's what I feared - guess I will need to make my own then, or move the actual switch to the front.Quote from: dumpystig on December 01, 2013, 12:10:30 pmSwitch on the back is certainly possible, but the power supply will be on a shelf over my bench, so not very practical.

author: Len
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 02, 2013, 12:49:50 am
content: Gerry Sweeney says, use a coat hanger.

author: vk6zgo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 02, 2013, 01:54:21 am
content: Quote from: Len on December 02, 2013, 12:49:50 amA nice bit of "judicious butchery".I've done my fair share of that!The "powers that be" demanded we make an old TV Transmitter work in a automatic start/stop mode which it had never been designed for.We were very generously given a week to achieve this!We linked out the "ON" switches & turned it "ON" & "OFF" with the "OFF" switch function,with some relays operated by a digital clock.We managed to incorporate filament warm up & cool down delays for the Vision Tx,but the Sound one used to just crash from HT "ON" to fully off.We shuddered every time we looked at it,but it worked for months!Later,we made a proper controller with a PLC,but the "blue striped apron" one had served us well!

author: fcb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 02, 2013, 09:29:49 am
content: Please post if you find something!I've looked for quite awhile and not found anything, didn't really want to make my own either.

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 02, 2013, 09:52:06 am
content: If its a one-off thing you can always built your powersupply to use a switch extender you have pulled out of another device.

author: SArepairman
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 02, 2013, 09:56:45 am
content: I kind of like the "elevator key" approach to turning on equipment. Just leave a hole in it and the equipment can only be used if you insert a T shaped key (plastic rod with a copper cylinder at the end) to bridge a fuse holder. That way no one will plug something stupid into your spectrum analyzer.

author: Kjelt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 02, 2013, 10:22:59 am
content: Plastick is difficult because you need an expensive mold, industrial furnace etc.But wood is cheap, easy to work on, if dry also a pretty good isolator

author: Six_Shooter
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 02, 2013, 03:27:57 pm
content: There are several ways to go about this.As suggested you can use a donor pulled from an old piece of equipment. The issue here is that you will need to design your layout around this plunger, which can be problematic, and still may not fit perfectly.You can get sheets of plastic and make your own. If done correctly a plunger made form strips of plastic and glued together can be very strong and reliable.You can use some plastic tube and plan the layout to have the switch inline with where it is passed through the front panel.3D print one?CNC router...

author: ThomasDK
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 16, 2013, 10:11:55 pm
content: Quote from: fcb on December 02, 2013, 09:29:49 amFound somethingNot very long, but better than nothing, 3 colors to choose from too:http://www.conrad.com/ce/en/product/713333/

author: calexanian
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 18, 2013, 05:00:53 am
content: Just go get Chinese take out and grab an extra pair of chop sticks and a bit of JB weld and you can build 2! O0

author: george graves
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 18, 2013, 06:16:59 am
content: I think you could find everything you'd need to make on at a Hobby store in the isle that sells RC servo linkages.