05-11-2019, 09:37 AM
Curiously, I had been thinking about looking for a plastic cap such as the milk container one used by Dave Mann but I was a little concerned it may tend to melt or even burn if there's any sparking when the switch operates. I suppose some form of rigid (thermoset) plastic cap would be better.
I have now taken the rest of the switch apart but am confused how the insulation actually works.
The tops of the two contact pads are insulated from the base of the housing by the now defective fibre insulating "cup" but the threaded studs, which are a nominal 5/16" diameter, simply pass through clearance holes in the metal housing. There is the remains of an insulating washer under the nut which secures the stud into the housing but no obvious insulation between the outside diameter of the stud and the edge of the clearance hole.
If this is how it was originally then the only thing preventing a dead short between the battery connection and earth is a minute air gap which seems very unlikely.
Any suggestions or am I missing the point of how the switch actually functions?
John.
I have now taken the rest of the switch apart but am confused how the insulation actually works.
The tops of the two contact pads are insulated from the base of the housing by the now defective fibre insulating "cup" but the threaded studs, which are a nominal 5/16" diameter, simply pass through clearance holes in the metal housing. There is the remains of an insulating washer under the nut which secures the stud into the housing but no obvious insulation between the outside diameter of the stud and the edge of the clearance hole.
If this is how it was originally then the only thing preventing a dead short between the battery connection and earth is a minute air gap which seems very unlikely.
Any suggestions or am I missing the point of how the switch actually functions?
John.