Safety cover for a switch on curved surface?

[Naio]

Hi guys, I need your expertise again :).

When my van was at an alignment shop for a month (long story) I asked there about the possibility of installing a switch to unlock the rear hatch from inside. They emailed me (a week later) that it would cost $350 and did I want to do that, and I promptly emailed back, 'definitely not'.

Well, they installed it anyway, but didn't charge me. The upshot is I don't feel I can complain to them about HOW it was installed.

But it's danged problematic. It's a momentary switch (no way to tell if door is locked or unlocked) and is a 1.5" stick that pokes up from the curved plastic trim under the hatch glass -- right level with the mattress on the bed.


Now that I will be traveling with a cat, I am pretty much 100% sure he will be popping that lock without me knowing it. Not to mention blankets, pillows, elbows, etc.bumping it.

Is there some sort of cover I can put over this switch-stick, that would still allow easy access, but prevent accidental bumping? Something nicer looking than duct taping a yogurt cup over it?

Thanks much for any ideas!

[Naio]

NinerBikes wrote:
Hmmm, here's an idea. Those cups look like cups for measuring detergent for the washing machine. Maybe find a cap, like for liquid dairy creamer that covers, but flips open to pour creamer in. flip the cap open to access the switch, after glueing it on.

Another option, cut off top of detergent bottle where that cup clips on, and glue detergent bottle top to the area, pop the cover off when you need to activate the switch. Pop cover back on to top of detergent bottle, to protect activation of the switch.

Two more great ideas!

I dunno if any flip top caps are that tall, I can look around, but a removable one...

[NinerBikes]

Hmmm, here's an idea. Those cups look like cups for measuring detergent for the washing machine. Maybe find a cap, like for liquid dairy creamer that covers, but flips open to pour creamer in. flip the cap open to access the switch, after glueing it on.

Another option, cut off top of detergent bottle where that cup clips on, and glue detergent bottle top to the area, pop the cover off when you need to activate the switch. Pop cover back on to top of detergent bottle, to protect activation of the switch.

[Naio]

MrWizard wrote:
Maybe some of that earth quake putty stick em
Used to keep pictures and other stuff from bouncing around
As I recall silly putty runs at high temps as it gets super soft

Oh, GREAT idea! I even have some of that, somewhere....

[MrWizard]

Maybe some of that earth quake putty stick em
Used to keep pictures and other stuff from bouncing around
As I recall silly putty runs at high temps as it gets super soft

[Naio]

I gave up on a purchased solution, and found a couple of small cups kicking around my house. One of these should work.

The question is what to fasten it down with? Ideally, something that lets me remove and restick the cup fairly frequently. Silly putty? Bubble gum? That gel/goo you use to clean vent covers? Goop or caulk with some saran wrap or something between it and embedded cup until it dries? What do you think?

[Naio]

Hey, good idea! I do have a normal sized coping saw. Or a hacksaw blade.

[MrWizard]

If that paddle is plastic , use needle nose pliers to hold it and a tiny coping saw from the folder store to cut it

[Salvo]

This is the ideal solution. Cut the 1.5" switch rod down to 3/4" and you will never get a false trigger. Glue cover down with goop. It couldn't get much simpler than this. It's bulletproof!

[NinerBikes]

It's a shame you just can't notch that out instead of the hole drilled and put in a rocker panel switch.

It also gets back to the mantra of, if you want something done right, to your specifications, you better do it yourself. Story of my life.

[beemerphile1]

Move the switch to a more suitable location.

[Naio]

It's not a switch cover, but google found me this.

One of y'all might need one. Or a few :B.

[rekoj71]

That's the cover I was trying to explain but would be easiest to change the switch to a regular chrome momentary toggle switch, that would still fit the same hole verses cutting down that plastic one he has. I didn't find one that came with the cover but the covers can still be bought separately and added to any toggle switch.

http://www.amazon.com/Morris-70250-Momentary-Contact-Terminals/dp/B005GDG2EY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1439873243&sr=8-1&keywords=momentary+toggle+switch

http://www.amazon.com/JT-Products-2652F-Position-Indication/dp/B002UZUEWM/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1439873429&sr=8-3&keywords=toggle+switch+cover

[Naio]

MrWizard wrote:

that was the first thing i thought of

but i don't think so
those are designed to also keep a toggle in the off position
installed on her monetary switch, it might keep the electric latch cycling/thumping

I figured even if it didn't, it would worsen the problem of not knowing whether the hatch was open.

I might have the hatch locked, and then closing the switch cover moves the switch and unlocks it. Or maybe it doesn't, but then when I go over a bump later, it unlocks. And washboard roads, fergitaboutit!

I think the missile silo doesn't work for me unless I can cut the toggle down to a nub or something. But is was a cool idea :).

[MrWizard]

Dutch_12078 wrote:
This cover should do the trick...

that was the first thing i thought of

but i don't think so
those are designed to also keep a toggle in the off position
installed on her monetary switch, it might keep the electric latch cycling/thumping

Description: It’s not what project you have in mind that may use a rocket launch switch… The question is what project will you come up with once you have one in hand? Everyone has a proverbial missile to launch.

The hot red safety cover protects a toggle switch from accidentally being turned on. When flipped up, the user has full access to a switch underneath. Upon closing the cover, the cover will force the switch arm back into the lower position - a safety mechanism so you can quickly hit the cover down and deactivate the switch.

this might turn into a yankee DIY design