Surface-Mounted Toggle Switches

Bob,

I purchased all of mine from All Electronics.com Their selection covers pretty much everything across the board for me. I hope this helps.

Sorry I wasn't clear.  Not looking for standard toggle switches with handle above the surface and switch below.  I am looking for a toggle/slide switch where the entire mechanism is housed above the surface.  Did not see any at "all electronics" or any other supplier that I've found.

doesn't Atlas make those?

Atlas and Lionel offer them but they have limited amperage capability. If using these you could power a relay coil and let the contacts to the switching. described here

www.jcstudiosinc.com/BlogShowT...=635&categoryId=

Dale H

Yes, Atlas does sell those. The item # is 6927 Heavy Duty Connector. I have one installed on my layout. 

Bob, this might give you a more versatile option.  These mounting plates are made of 1/8" thick scrap acrylic painted.  They're large enough to cover the holes in the table for the switch body.

You might consider using Lionel 364C slide switches, and #90 controller buttons.

They can get a bit pricey, but if one is patient, they can be found for around $5.00 each.

Currently I am using 364C controllers for my sidings.

On one of my control panels I used a bunch of porcelain based SPDT knife switches because I thought it would look cool. I would not do that again because they took up too much room, and having the handles stick up in the "off" position was bothersome.

I used double pole so I could select either A or D on my ZW.  

The 364C switches are simple on-off (SPST).

Lionel also made a switch (390C) that was double pole, double throw, but I don't know whether they have a center-off position.

If you search in Google images for "burglar alarm surface mount toggle switch" you will find these.

They are available from most alarm industry suppliers.  Always add the word "alarm" to searches for hardware, wire, relays, power supplies, lamps...the alarm industry parts, designed for low voltage, often parallel the designs of stuff for our hobby.

http://www.safetyed.org/seco-l...switchsnowwhite.aspx

Appreciate all the responses.  Hole drilling (other than for feeding the wires) isn't possible for this particular application, so the 364C, 390C and the alarm system switches are good solutions.  The latter is by far the most economical.  I'll have to read up on the use of relays; hadn't considered that.  I've used Susan's solution in the past, but in this instance we can't.

Thanks again, folks.

for momentary push buttons try surface mount door bell buttons.

I am in the same boat. I will be mounting my toggle switches on the facade near the siding they will activate. I don't want to drill a big hole through the 1/4" facade and a 1" by 3". I am looking for something like the "burglar alarm surface mount toggle switch" shown above. Will these work? I would prefer a surface mounted rocker switch. Any other ideas?

Something like this?

On display modules I use a four gang 110 volt 15 amp wall rocker switch for block control and set them in a raised wall moulding box for handy sturdy access.

The four gang switch mechanism I use fits in a one gang box. 

The turnouts are actuated by frog powering s.p.d.t. slide switch @ the turnouts.

tt

Thanks Tom ........ they look good.

Believe that is called a knife switch.

1. 1.

   an electric switch operated by means of a projecting lever that is moved up and down.

a definition which seems to include a standard knife switch.

also surface mount.

also SPST.

I tried knife switches on a control panel because I wanted a retro look. I used spst ones for accessories and spdt ones for blocks.
I didn't repeat the exercise for subsequent control panels because the knife switches took up too much room. Also, over time the moveable blade loosened up, so the switches didn't "like" to stay in the off position with the handle raised.

They certainly give you the retro look!

Thanks all.

C.W. - have used knife switches before and excluded them this time for the same reason.

The trouble with most surface mount switches is you see all the ugly wires above your panel.

Rod

For the accessories, a big red button switch with a timer circuit might be nice. You could mount the switch in a small work box from Radio Shack.

This thread "I need a timed switch" discusses the topic with links provided by Dale H.

I like the Big Red Button and the timer to keep the guests from damaging the accessory. And the button is sooo inviting....