Outdoor Magnetic Reed Switch ?

[saben]

I'm upgrading my under dodger lighting to led. Bebi LED's looks to good for ilumination part of it. My intrest lie's in how to switch it near the light. I'm thinking a magnetic reed switch. Has anybody played around with applications on board. These types of switches are vacume sealed in a small glass vile and activated by a sliding magnet. Seems like it would be the perfect cocpit switch for lighting applications. Steve

[skipmac]

I've used them in several different applciations, including underwater scooters. As you say, the switch is sealed but the connections might require some upkeep. They are very low capacity but should be sufficient to light an LED.

[donradcliffe]

They rust

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by donradcliffe

They rust

Are you thinking of the small, magnetic, reed switch that is vacuun sealed in a small glass tube? I have diving scooters 10 years old that use these and the reed switches look like new. Never had a rust problem with the switch itself.

[donradcliffe]

The ones I used were encased in white plastic with screw terminals on the ends for the wiring. It was a set designed for alarm systems, with one piece holding the switch and the other holding an activating magnet. The switch terminals/screws were made of steel, not brass, and rusted pretty easily.

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by donradcliffe

The ones I used were encased in white plastic with screw terminals on the ends for the wiring. It was a set designed for alarm systems, with one piece holding the switch and the other holding an activating magnet. The switch terminals/screws were made of steel, not brass, and rusted pretty easily.

This sounds like the ones in my home alarm system. Different beasty altogether.

The "other" type is a sealed glass tube with a wire lead out each end. The ones I have used are low power, about 1" long and about half the diameter of an old glass BUSS fuse. Power a small load directly or use to activate a relay. Almost corrosion proof and very reliable.

[hellosailor]

The glass ones are still around, used to be five for a buck at Radio Shack but if they still carry them, they'll be hidden in the "adults only" section in the back of the store. Honest.

The ones for home alarm systems may not be sealed but for marine use? I'd clean the capsule and then cover it with a couple of coats of epoxy or silicon, anything to add a little waterproofing. Ditto for the magnet, because magnets are rarely designed for salt water exposure.