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Best to Seal Switch for Bilge Pump?
Posted: Mon Mar 28, 2011 3:15 pm
by fleckbass
What is best to seal the switch for Bilge Pump. I used a big gob of Silicone in the past. What have others found to work well?
The Very Best I found thus Far
Posted: Mon Mar 28, 2011 3:34 pm
by horizongfx
Not the Cheapest, But The Most reliable I found thus Far.
And the One I use in all My Pump set-ups.
https://www.alliedelec.com/search/produ ... KU=8261003
Posted: Mon Mar 28, 2011 5:25 pm
by sdbrassfield
I have always bought a marine grade switch for mine...
Posted: Mon Mar 28, 2011 5:30 pm
by PAC
I just buy off the shelf at the hardare store and goop the bugger. Seems to work well and cheaper in the long run.... at least for me.
Posted: Mon Mar 28, 2011 5:31 pm
by marclamenace
After two switch failing even beeing really nice sealed I am going marine switch on my next one too. With succion/pressure from temp changes water's always getting in somehow.
Posted: Mon Mar 28, 2011 5:47 pm
by Smurfwarrior
I like to use Marine rocker switches ($25ish) after going through a bunch on heavy duty normal switches both sealed and unsealed. My biggest issue is damaging the switch by hitting it. Rocker switches that are countersunk into foam are the answer.
Switch
Posted: Mon Mar 28, 2011 10:51 pm
by jottsee
Standard 99 cent light switch - just don't use it in the ocean.
Posted: Mon Mar 28, 2011 11:06 pm
by iRolled
I second the .99 cent light switch from home depot. Fancy $10-20 waterproof switches dont last long. a cheap light switch has solid connections and will last a long time. I dont even waterproof any of the connections in any of my boats unless you're using lithium batteries. keep them dry.
if you get the light switch. take a pair of pliers and bend the ears a few time to break them off. These switches aren't bulky at all.
Posted: Tue Mar 29, 2011 3:36 am
by dafriend
Posted: Tue Mar 29, 2011 2:21 pm
by Todhunter
Posted: Wed Mar 30, 2011 3:22 am
by Jim Michaud
I've even had a Marine waterproof switch fail on me. Now I go to Ace hardware and buy a regular toggle switch and a bottle of Re-Rack. Re-Rack is the stuff that is used to repair dishwasher racks when the coating starts to wear off. The bottle has a little brush connected inside the cap. I give the switch lots of layers of Re-Rack. I haven't had a bad switch since.
Jim
Posted: Wed Mar 30, 2011 11:23 am
by sbroam
Waterproof
Posted: Wed Mar 30, 2011 12:37 pm
by horizongfx
Not sure how waterproof That Bottle is !, I can tell you from My experience that those Poly-switches and PCB's that are mounted to the Batteries via a Circuit board Absolutely cannot get wet.
Posted: Wed Mar 30, 2011 6:33 pm
by fleckbass
I just got one of the waterproof bottles. Hopefully it works out. anyone have problem with them? The one thing I don't care for is the hard wired cable comming out of it. Looks like headphone cable. I had to strip some insulation off to strip the conductors a bit. Didn't care for it. Was thinking about removing it and putting my own cable on but the bottle is sealed shut. If this thing craps out, I will have to hack it apart.