Jump to content

Broken Rocker Switch Cover

RussG

By RussG
in General Mooney Talk

 Share

Recommended Posts

carusoam Grand Master

carusoam

Posted
Posted

Russ,

There is a long story that goes with that...

Sensata is the corporate entity that makes the switch... each switch comes with one cover... 

Sensata decided that they were not going to sell individual covers...

It comes across like they want you to upgrade...

As if... the switch and the cover wear out at the same rate...

You have 10+ switches...

The average price is probably 175 for parts...

 

There is a black market of used parts around here... (not really black...)

The coolest parts we have seen made using the printing process are these switch covers...

There is an MSer here that has somewhat perfected making a good replica...

Step one, search for the MSer with a cache of parts...

Step two, check with the pre-flown parts guys...

Step three, call Sensata tell them you want to buy just the switch cover and ask who you can buy it from...

Make it simple...  tell them you just bought a new one, the cap fell on the ground and your dog ate it... so you have a pristine switch, that just needs a new cover...

I have tried a couple of times, never got anywhere...

Pp thoughts only, not a mechanic... :)

Best regards,

-a-

squeaky.stow Rising Star

squeaky.stow

Posted
Posted
11 hours ago, RussG said:

Can anyone point me in the right direction for a replacement rocker switch cover?

Those are ETA switches. No longer made or supported and really hard to find. 
The switch cover can be distinguished from the older Klixon switches by the fact that they have lettering on the curved top face of the switch cover - the part which becomes hidden when the switch is turned on. The Klixon covers don’t have that lettering on the curved part and they are a semi-transparent plastic rather than the opaque white. LASAR still has these on their website, but are sold out of all of them. I think I bought the last one they had. (Sorry)

There is a vendor offering a 3D printed version here: https://www.shapeways.com/product/YR7FSMMJW/mooney-rocker-switch-cover-quot-eta-quot-type 
I have not tried them and have seen mixed reviews here on Mooneyspace. They certainly won’t be a perfect match. 
One option if you can find used covers is that they are easy to re-label with a Dymo label printer. The white tape colour is almost a perfect match and the font can be matched perfectly. I was able to find a used ETA switch of the correct amperage here on Mooneyspace after a long search and I relabelled the cover to suit. See before and after pictures below.

As a really expensive last-ditch option, you could buy an entire switch of the right amperage from Lasar and relabel it, but that’s a pretty pricey way to repair a cheap plastic part. Your best bet is the used market and plenty of patience. Good luck.

 

90EC5875-EEE2-428A-A42D-9C765C2B4E59.thumb.png.6f6bb148ba39bd8e07d99507ffb9d719.pngB67F97B5-A739-49A2-8842-7A0690A870EF.thumb.png.9dc03d482c301eae18e26804016181ba.png

 

  • Thanks 1
PeteMc Veteran

PeteMc

Posted
Posted

My mechanic and I gave up on the shapeways.com vendor.  Mechanic talked to him probably over a year ago, then complete silence.  Don't know if he shut down due to COVID or some other reason, but just never got another reply.

Here on this site @AH-1 Cobra Pilot is also 3D printing replacement covers. 

  • 2 years later...
PT20J Grand Master

PT20J

Posted
Posted

First you have to know if you have Klixon or ETA switches -- the covers are different. Here's a picture someone posted a while back.

MooneyRockerSwitchIdentification.jpg.eb8ad0adf29657e8c094c5759bcccf50.jpg

I believe @AH-1 Cobra Pilot has 3D printed Klixon covers and was working on ETA covers.

Skip

Joris Apprentice

Joris

Posted
Posted

I had the same problem with an ETA switch. Judging from the photo yours broke off in the same way as mine. The little plastic 'brace' in the inside of the cover has broken. I managed to repair mine. I 3D printed just the little brace (somewhat thicker and more robust) that broke off and super-glued that back in.

I also tried to 3D printing the complete switch cover. While that worked, the cover was very rough and hard to label.

  • 1 month later...
redbaron1982 Mentor

redbaron1982

Posted
Posted
On 6/23/2023 at 7:39 AM, Joris said:

I had the same problem with an ETA switch. Judging from the photo yours broke off in the same way as mine. The little plastic 'brace' in the inside of the cover has broken. I managed to repair mine. I 3D printed just the little brace (somewhat thicker and more robust) that broke off and super-glued that back in.

I also tried to 3D printing the complete switch cover. While that worked, the cover was very rough and hard to label.

Do you have the 3d file to print the eta switch cover?

  • 10 months later...
RICKIM3 Newbie

RICKIM3

Posted
Posted
On 8/9/2023 at 11:01 PM, AH-1 Cobra Pilot said:

I have ETA switch covers available.  PM me if you are interested.

I am interested in some switch covers, not sure if they are ETA or Klixon.

Are you still producing them and how do I contact you?

AH-1 Cobra Pilot Experienced

AH-1 Cobra Pilot

Posted
Posted
19 minutes ago, RICKIM3 said:

I am interested in some switch covers, not sure if they are ETA or Klixon.

Are you still producing them and how do I contact you?

You can use the PM function.  Click on my icon to get there.

  • Like 1
  • 1 month later...
aviatoreb Grand Master

aviatoreb

Posted
Posted
On 6/21/2024 at 3:08 PM, AH-1 Cobra Pilot said:

You can use the PM function.  Click on my icon to get there.

Thanks!  I just did.

e

Tmack201 Explorer

Tmack201

Posted
Posted

Probably going to replace all rocker switches. 1992 M20J with ETA switches. Will modify panel if needed. Anyone remodel with all new rocker switches? 28v system. Photos would be great! Why am I replacing all switches? They’re 32 years old! 

Ethan Enthusiast

Ethan

Posted
Posted

Try Ebay:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/196439200252?_nkw=mooney+boost+pump+rocker+switch&epid=738013237&itmmeta=01J5VFCCY0RSW5RWPWQNFTM1KE&hash=item2dbcb051fc:g:uQQAAOSwbMBmaHqu&itmprp=enc%3AAQAJAAAA4HoV3kP08IDx%2BKZ9MfhVJKmyV%2BziRR6JhU8CBVUVjT45wOZbSc5JcMP%2FQCAiCHZjgqW6jRsg89eBSxsWtjosNaLrQpOa4pi4wnXGIhVV4mSzG%2Bku8FHky5kHcnfG3T7VYomL5I8FYdRDs1yra%2FJLI9lnYLGVZb5tLRMwghXfChm3dJfOiJgKHp8%2B2S%2Bul8F4toi8UZWLO2bPyvaWNLUuJMQLw6ykr%2BsowFKb%2BJkv6rEQ3j0ojjKBu18BZ28tY3AQayJBFzkULOTdOQge3B1nmkGLjxXaoglNJWHBLlrg8Fn1|tkp%3ABk9SR4zPse-uZA

 Share
Go to topic listing
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.