any sources for IP68 sealed toggle switch for Excalibur ?

[Finderskeeper]

I'm getting my parts together for an Excalibur remote switch for pinpoint/discriminate modes.

Has anyone found a supplier of IP68 rated on off toggle or rocker switches? I've been looking for switches all day Googling and so far have found several suppliers in Europe but none so far in the US.

 

[Gulf Hunter]

Hey Finderskeeper,

You might want to ask Mel Parker about this. He is, "THE MAN" on the toggle switch mod. He has even done some of the other members...for a fee of course. Send him a PM.

 

[tvr]

various details of the whole mod are throughout the thread, including part number for a switch that Mel used.

http://www.findmall.com/read.php?21,1160165,1160165#msg-1160165

 

[Finderskeeper]

Thanks GulfHunter and thanks tvr for the info.

Gulfhunter....do you have the Mel Parker upgrade to any of your Excaliburs? If so, how do you like it?

Mel uses an IP67 pushbutton switch on his mod. I'm looking for even more as I am looking to dive with mine. IP68 is where I need to be.

 

[OldBeechnut]

Got 3 different types on my machines testing each..will get you some pic's later..think everyone is 68 except the toggle, got them from digikey..post later.....joe

 

[OldBeechnut]

n/t

 

[Finderskeeper]

Thanks Joe. I found a company (Hydracon) that manufactures on / off push button switches that are good for constant immersion and is used by the US Navy Seals for underwater use.

Here is the web site......http://www.esonetyellowpages.com/datasheets/datasheet-push_button_switch_1809200_1254927648.pdf

I'm looking into pricing and availability.

Here are a few photos from that site.......

 

[OldBeechnut]

First Class, Deep water, Custom machined....And I would almost bet it cost a pettry penny. Just guessing I would say retail, 200.oo........ would be interesting to know

 

[erikk]

Here U Go B a Hero........
Lost Item Report -- Ocean City, Maryland

Date Reported: 7/29/11

Item Lost: Glasses
Date Lost: 7/26/11

City where lost: Ocean City
State/Province where lost: Maryland
Country where lost: USA
ZIP/Postal Code: 18644

Person who lost item: Jennifer Sgroi
Email Address: jsgroi319@aol.com
Telephone: 570-212-0181

Additional Information:

I was in the water near 112th when they were swept off of my face. I know it's a long shot, but I wanted to try! The frames are a pink colored wire-style.

Thank you!

 

[Finderskeeper]

First Class, Deep water, Custom machined....And I would almost bet it cost a pettry penny. Just guessing I would say retail, 200.oo........ would be interesting to know

Yikes! I just got a reply from the company and the switch is custom made for aerospace corporations and costs......way more than I would ever want to spend.......lets just say.......you could buy a good used car with the money spent on one switch!

They are interested in getting into the commercial market and was asking about our hobby, amount of switches we would use and so on and so forth. It is possible that they may come up with a commercial grade switch with the same specs but not machined out of aerospace stainless steel.

Finding a good waterproof switch is a lot harder than I thought. Even harder than finding glasses lost in the sea!

 

[OldBeechnut]

no Glasses monday

 

[Gulf Hunter]

No, I'm old school...I just turn the knob, LOL!

 

[OldBeechnut]

[size=large]still no glasses[/size]

 

[tvr]

Getting a nice ring collection Joe!

Found C&K NP series switch with IP68 rating. Have not found small quantity distribution yet; but here is a link to a .pdf spec sheet.

www.ck-components.com/66840/np_31aug10.pdf/

 

[Finderskeeper]

Thanks TVR. That should help as now I can give the electronics supply company a model number and manufacturer. Finding a good IP68 switch has been quite a time killer as almost no one in the US carries a good IP68 switch in stock. Thanks again!

Nice finds Joe. Keep looking for those glasses. I am sure that they will turn up somewhere....maybe on Mr. Limpet.

 

[Finderskeeper]

OK...IP68 rated toggles are as rare as platinum rings in my scoop.

So I decided to get a waterproof rocker toggle at a local electronic supply store. It is not rated for immersion but I did some modifications to make it totally waterproof. The switch it waterproof for spray...... rated IP67.....but not for underwater. I need it for underwater. So here is what I did as per the owner of the electronics store who sells lots of these to scuba divers. He says that this works really well and is way cheaper than getting an IP68 rated switch. The cost of the switch was a little less than $5.

What I did was get some clear tub and tile silicone caulk and pulled back the rubber boot. I then caulked the inside of the boot on the actual rocker and then put the boot back down over the switch with still more caulking around the boot where the boot goes over the main body of the switch. I then caulked around the electrical contacts and VIOLA! A totally waterproof kind of IP68 rocker toggle switch.

Seeing how the bottom of the switch is going to be in Epoxy resin, the rest of the switch will be waterproof too. So thanks to all for the recommendations and information. Special thanks to OldBeechnut and Mel Parker for the trail blazing on the switch upgrade.

Looking forward to getting this thing wired up and out hunting with it.

 

[OldBeechnut]

Looks good Buddy, let me know how she works...And your right about the excalibur losing senstivity in the salt water..seems like after I get around waist deep she just pulls around 6 to 10 inchs...Have you noticed the same.
Just finished up another handle, this button is IP67....just for the wet sand to below the waist....after using the toggle, momentary push button, and rocker for several days,,....... I want something that is right there, no moving fingers, just squeeze..and it is a on and off...not the momentary...ran into some iron infested areas...real pain to keep pushing the disc button. Off to the beach again for five days, more then likely my last trip for awhile...Keep the Boys in shape...............joe

 

[Finderskeeper]

Yes Joe, I have noticed that the Excalibur does lose a little depth when in salt water. That's OK as I don't like digging deep in neck deep water anyways. Not sure why but it seems that most rings in the water just don't sink too far into the sand or mud. Most of the finds I get in deeper water above the waste is in the 1 to 10 inch depth in the bottom range.

Very good on the momentary switch. I wanted just a simple On / Off waterproof switch and this switch seems to be the answer to my search. Most of the IP 68 rated switches are momentary and so they really are not a good choice for a switch. I like your idea on just squeezing the handle. I may try that in the future. I really hate dropping my scoop or shovel to switch between pin point and discriminate. I've got some carbon fiber tubing coming so I am going to wait to wire up the switch.

Thanks again for the tip on Doc's treasure screamer amp. I'm going to be getting one very soon. Needs to be ready for my swing down the Atlantic coast. Going to hit the Outer Banks, then Myrtle Beach, then down the Florida coast to the Treasure Coast, then to South Beach. I'll then be spending about a month over near Sarasota. It's going to be a great winter.

My Excalibur has right now a straight shaft, a WOT coil hardwired in, Waterproof ear buds inside Peltor Optime 98 sound proof ear muffs and a 1600 MAH battery pack. Looking forward to getting Doc's amp. I'm wondering how the amp will work with the WOT coil. Could it be too sensitive and cause falsing problems? I soon shall see.

I do find that the WOT coil is a bit touchy in the surf. It does false when waves wash over it a bit but does calm down when in deeper water. I love it for my land searching and on dry to wet sand. Just so nice to cover so much ground so fast.

This winter I may limit my hunting to just wet and dry sand. I'm trying to stay out of the Gulf water (Corexit 9500) and I don't like getting pounded on the Atlantic side by those darned waves!

 

[JOHNMARKHAM]

hey chuck, i had mel do my excalibur,if you remember i showed it to you when we meet at the lake???it works great, saves allot of time when hunting....
hope this helps
hh
john