Switch for lamp broke

[buylow12]

The switch for this lamp broke. Is there anyway I can reapir it. I'd hate to have to go through the trouble of replacing the whole thing because of a cheap plastic switch. Not to mention there are two of them so I'd have to replace the other one even though it's working so they'd match.

[westend]

OK, I work with small, low amperage switches quite a bit. I guess I know what is available.

I'll agree that 17 years is a fairly good bit of durability but I'm using some in my Starcraft that are 40+ years old. The newer toggles are much better than older push-on or even rocker switches. I have some mini-toggles that I mounted in some DIY LED fixtures. The only problem there is that unless you know it's in that place, they're hard to see. Durable but small.

[wing_zealot]

Deleted.

[BB_TX]

westend wrote:
Why would someone want to match a switch that failed with the exact replacement?

My originals lasted 8 years. And I could not find anything else small enough to fit in the small fixture. Hence, exact replacements.

[darsben1]

westend wrote:
Why would someone want to match a switch that failed with the exact replacement?

Because the rig is a 1999 so 17 years service would make me believe it gave good service.

[buylow12]

OK, I just took down the fixture and it looks like I'll just need to cut out the remaining part of the switch and wire in the new one. I've got the old part that broke off so I can make sure it'll fit out the same hole.

[STBRetired]

You pretty much just take the old one with you to make sure the new one will fit into the same space and mounting hole so that you don't end up needing to make modifications to the fixture. If the switch was only a couple years old, I would look for a different brand. If it was 10 years old, I would replace with the exact same if available.

[westend]

Why would someone want to match a switch that failed with the exact replacement?

[darsben1]

buylow12 wrote:
OK, sounds easy enough. I assume the switches are fairly universal and I'll just need to pull down the fixture to get access to it to change it out?

Correct. Take what is left of switch with you to store for matching.

[BB_TX]

If you can not find a suitable replacement locally, look on the side of the switch for any information you can find. Google the manufacturer name and all the info you can find and you will likely find multiple sources for an exact replacement switch. Worked for me for both the light over the dining table (120 vac) and the bedroom wall lamps (12 vdc).

[buylow12]

OK, sounds easy enough. I assume the switches are fairly universal and I'll just need to pull down the fixture to get access to it to change it out?

[westend]

I'd suggest to buy a metal bodied toggle. They are abundant and durable.

[STBRetired]

Or even Ace Hardware, for that matter. Those are fairly common.

[darsben1]

you should be able to get a replacement switch at Lowes or Home depot