Power Swith PITA

eagleta2 · Post by **eagleta2** » Sun Mar 18, 2012 10:53 pm

Hi Everyone

I have a 90's 500 with a 510 upgrade...

I KNOW that major maintenance hasnt been done in way too long so I tore into it today... cleaned out all the dust, oiled the sheaves, etc...

I need to replace the power switch and truly didnt think it would be as much of a PITA (yes, PAIN IN THE A$$) as I suspected.

The switch is the plastic version with the removable red "key". I was surprised to find that the switch had 3" pigtails on it. The switch still works, but... When I turn it off, I remove my finger and sometimes the SS jumps back to life, which scares the PEE out of me. So, I figured its time to replace it.
Anyhow - the switch was mfg by Lucerne USA - its a 16amp @ 125v DPST.

I have read virtually every post on the forum and have not found any reference to a replacement for this switch - only the standard metal toggles for Greenies and other 500's before SS went to this "safety switch"

Lucerne seems to be out of business... and I cant seem to locate a suitable replacement. I am not a fan of buying the switch from SS, because it is simply too expensive.

I really do not need the safety key feature, but I do want a switch that is rated high enough. I was considering this one:
http://www.grizzly.com/products/H8239

Does anyone have any experience with this particular switch? Will it fit in my casting (which I assume is a "C")?

Does anyone have a recommendation for a plain ole rocker switch that will fit the cutout and is the correct rating?

A BIG thank you...

Geo

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Mon Mar 19, 2012 1:39 am

30-630
http://www.calcentron.com/PDF_Documents ... rocker.pdf

Looks like a fit. Have not tried!!!

charlese · Post by **charlese** » Mon Mar 19, 2012 2:10 am

You can get a switch from Shopsmith. http://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/itemfind.htm?item=522384&Submit=Find+Item

They now call it a service pack and it comes with extra wires and instructions. The key is no longer red - it is yellow and doesn't pull out. But it is a perfect fit for a C headstock.

BTW, Your switch probably had 4 terminals and one has broken off. In a standard Mark V , there is only 2 terminals used. One wire on top and the other on bottom of the same side. Nick showed us that if the switch becomes faulty, simply trade the wires to the other side, top and bottom. Worked for me!

jm51 · Post by **jm51** » Mon Mar 19, 2012 7:41 am

For something as powerful as the Shopsmith, I'd have thought it would have a zero volts switch but no.

I'm thinking of fitting a foot switch to my SS and if the main switch goes, simply bypass it and stay with the foot switch.

eagleta2 · Post by **eagleta2** » Mon Mar 19, 2012 10:36 pm

Hi everyone - I thought I would share an update. After much searching, I finally found a switch I am happy will do the job for a very long time. it is rated at 20amps at 125volts and 2hp. Better still, it had 1/4" terminals AND fit the cutout in my casting with no modifications!

My cost with my Grainger discount and local tax was $9.08.

Here is a link to the switch - The only unfortunate thing was that it isnt USA made...
http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/POWER- ... itch-2VLR2

Thanks,
Geo

SS switch by EagleTa2, on Flickr

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Tue Mar 20, 2012 12:12 am

eagleta2 wrote:Hi everyone - I thought I would share an update. After much searching, I finally found a switch I am happy will do the job for a very long time. it is rated at 20amps at 125volts and 2hp. Better still, it had 1/4" terminals AND fit the cutout in my casting with no modifications!

My cost with my Grainger discount and local tax was $9.08.

Here is a link to the switch - The only unfortunate thing was that it isnt USA made...
http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/POWER-FIRST-Rocker-Switch-2VLR2

Thanks,
Geo

SS switch by EagleTa2, on Flickr

Good Choice!

From an electrical stand point any way.

Not as good from a safety point of view.

damagi · Post by **damagi** » Tue Mar 20, 2012 9:05 am

eagleta2 wrote:Hi everyone - I thought I would share an update. After much searching, I finally found a switch I am happy will do the job for a very long time. it is rated at 20amps at 125volts and 2hp. Better still, it had 1/4" terminals AND fit the cutout in my casting with no modifications!

My cost with my Grainger discount and local tax was $9.08.

Here is a link to the switch - The only unfortunate thing was that it isnt USA made...
http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/POWER- ... itch-2VLR2

Thanks,
Geo

SS switch by EagleTa2, on Flickr

Looks a lot like the one on the power pro, nice fit. You could add on of the paddle switches inline with some magnets on the back for the safety aspect.

billmayo · Post by **billmayo** » Tue Mar 20, 2012 4:23 pm

This is the replacement "C" headstock switch I have used for many years. Only $6.39 per switch.

http://www.acehardwareoutlet.com/Produc ... KU=3135878

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Tue Mar 20, 2012 5:42 pm

billmayo wrote:This is the replacement "C" headstock switch I have used for many years. Only $6.39 per switch.

http://www.acehardwareoutlet.com/ProductDetails.aspx?SKU=3135878

May not be in yer local Ace. They will order it usually. Save online shipping that way, but the wait is longer.

Yes it is SPST. Just connect the white neutral wires and switch the linecord hot(black) and motor hot(blue?).

eagleta2 · Post by **eagleta2** » Tue Mar 20, 2012 8:56 pm

Truth be told, I had thought of the safety concern of having a standard rocker switch in place of the locking switch that was originally there.

Then common sense took over. 8 feet from the SS is my miter saw that is plugged in all the time...and it could do more damage because there is NO safety cutout on that one. So why feel the need to protect from one machine when there's another one right behind it that isn't?

Finally... both of my boys (8 & 14) know that they will face the wrath of DAD if they dare to touch my equipment... they just know not to.

Maybe my head is in the sand, but I really believe that if you place too much trust in a safety device you stop paying attention and stop being careful.

Thanks
Geo

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