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Need 6 position rotary switch.

Etowah
I.B. Washincars

I.B. Washincars

Car Washer Emeritus
I have a project that would require a 6 position rotary switch to make it work like I want. Anyone know if there is one out there?
 
I don't even know if they make the old Oak switch anymore. Mouser.com does have a wide range of rotary switches, but they're not nearly as industrial as what we've been using in the wash bays.

Our Fresh Impressions vacs have six selections on an 8-position switch - the small steel screws that come with the Electroswitch 8-position switch go into the threaded holes on the back of the switch to prevent it from turning beyond those six selections.
 
You could use a 8 position switch and just wire the extra 2 positions to duplicate one or 2 functions. I have one location that I use a 10 position switch that has 3 HP rinse cycles. That keeps the customer from having to turn it backwards after soap and foam brush cycles.
 
Yeah, I know that I could use an 8 position, but I was trying to make it look more professional. What I plan to do is put the Etowah CC system on Fragramatics frag/vac combos. I would have to put a "STOP" button somewhere and the thing already has two toggle switches anyway. They are already too complicated for some people and adding yet another separate switch is not what I want to do. I want to use a rotary switch to eliminate all of the switches. I figure setting it up like this, STOP-VAC-STOP-BUTT CRACK-ARM PIT-AGED URINE, would be the simplest for customers. Putting two more "STOP" positions on the dial would work, but just not up to my standards.

Yeah, yeah, I know I'm anal. Now get out there and find me that switch!
 
Last edited:
I.B. Washincars said:
Yeah, I know that I could use an 8 position, but I was trying to make it look more professional.
Click to expand...
That's exactly what the Fresh Impressions vac has, and it looks very professional. Now that I know your purpose I wouldn't recommend the light duty switches from Mouser.com, but it might be worth a try. The toggle switches in the machine aren't anything special, just $3 ones you can get in blister packs at Home Depot.

If you did use an 8 position, as I mentioned you can limit how far the switch turns. You'd only need STOP-VAC-BUTT CRACK-ARM PIT-AGED URINE, perhaps another STOP after that, and the knob wouldn't turn beyond them. Put the switch toward the left side and the labels branching off clearly above, to the right and below.
 
MEP001 said:
The toggle switches in the machine aren't anything special, just $3 ones you can get in blister packs at Home Depot.

If you did use an 8 position, as I mentioned you can limit how far the switch turns.
Click to expand...

I plan to eliminate both of the toggle switches completely, using the rotary for everything.

How do you limit how far the switch turns?
 
As I mentioned above, you run the steel screws that come with the switch through the holes in the back, and they act as stops. As far as I know, only the Electroswitch brand has these holes.
 
Oh yeah, I guess you did state that. I didn't know you could do that.

I still would rather have a 6 position or maybe a 5...anyone???
 
Etowah
I still haven't done this project. I talked to Jim recently and he said he was going to do a conversion door for these machines soon. Of course, he hasn't done it yet. I'm going to be in that area this fall and I just may load them up in the truck and drop them off at his door.
 
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