Modern looking rocker switches

[DC_Brasil]

Hello everyone, 

I have seen some pictures of some modern looking rocker switches but I can't seem to find out if they are approved for use in certificated airplanes.

I've found some models on aircraft Spruce but they all seem to be for experimentals.

Can anyone point me to the correct brand/models?

I'd love to have modern looking switches to replace my M20J rockers.

 

[skykrawler]

Many of your 'rocker switches' are actually circuit breakers.

 

[ArtVandelay]

You don’t need any special approvals (STCs, etc) for electrical switches. As already mentioned, some of our switches are also circuit breakers.
But you can add separate circuit breakers to protect normal switches.

[LANCECASPER]

6 hours ago, DC_Brasil said:

Hello everyone, 

I have seen some pictures of some modern looking rocker switches but I can't seem to find out if they are approved for use in certificated airplanes.

I've found some models on aircraft Spruce but they all seem to be for experimentals.

Can anyone point me to the correct brand/models?

I'd love to have modern looking switches to replace my M20J rockers.

 

Mooney used Carling switches in the last Mooneys produced, the M20U (Ovation Ultra) and the M20V (Acclaim Ultra)

https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/elpages/nwm-switch-light.php?clickkey=193438

[jetdriven]

Those Carling switches are fragile and they break, plus every one of those switches requires a circuit breaker, annd most  airplanes that don’t have enough room for circuit breakers as it is.

[CCAS]

9 hours ago, DC_Brasil said:

Can anyone point me to the correct brand/models?

Carling V-Series / Contura V switches were the types used in the Ultras.  See attached IPC pages for part numbers.  

As @jetdriven mentioned, each Carling switch requires its own (new) circuit breaker so you'll need some careful CB panel planning.  It is possible in a M20J though. 

 

 

M20U IPC with Switch part numbers.pdf Carling V-Series_datasheet.pdf

[201Steve]

I thought the Carling switches also had internal breakers. If youre going to wire each into the CB panel instead, I’d think there would be lots of switch options from that point. 

[Pinecone]

I changed my switches to all toggle switches.

They are available with or without CB.

[Thedude]

On 12/17/2025 at 6:18 AM, Pinecone said:

I changed my switches to all toggle switches.

They are available with or without CB.

What do toggle switches look like?

[Fly Boomer]

6 minutes ago, Thedude said:

What do toggle switches look like?

Just Google toggle switch.

[Thedude]

Fair enough, guess I could have answered that myself. that's exactly what I want to do in my panel though, I have old switches that are starting to fall apart. 

[Fly Boomer]

4 minutes ago, Thedude said:

Fair enough, guess I could have answered that myself. that's exactly what I want to do in my panel though, I have old switches that are starting to fall apart. 

If it’s the breakers and switches, that’s a problem.  But if the rocker covers are loose or falling off, we have a couple of members who 3D print replacements.  Someone will provide names in a minute.

[Utah20Gflyer]

I’m also a fan of the toggle switch/breakers because you can get them for 30-35 dollars from spruce all day long and there are no covers to break.  I agree that the “Modern” switches look nice but to me they aren’t worth it.   I wouldn’t switch if I just needed to replace a cover for a modern switch, but if I were redoing a panel I would be tempted to convert to all toggle switches.  

[Thedude]

4 hours ago, Fly Boomer said:

If it’s the breakers and switches, that’s a problem.  But if the rocker covers are loose or falling off, we have a couple of members who 3D print replacements.  Someone will provide names in a minute.

How do I tell if the breakers are having issues? Everything seems to be functioning fine but a couple of the covers are either popping off or rubbing when actuating them.

[Thedude]

4 hours ago, Utah20Gflyer said:

I’m also a fan of the toggle switch/breakers because you can get them for 30-35 dollars from spruce all day long and there are no covers to break.  I agree that the “Modern” switches look nice but to me they aren’t worth it.   I wouldn’t switch if I just needed to replace a cover for a modern switch, but if I were redoing a panel I would be tempted to convert to all toggle switches.  

I like the look and feel of the toggle switches best anyways, so that's part of the motivation. I'm just not sure if a toggle switch will fill out all the space the current switch does in the panel.

[LANCECASPER]

1 hour ago, Thedude said:

I like the look and feel of the toggle switches best anyways, so that's part of the motivation. I'm just not sure if a toggle switch will fill out all the space the current switch does in the panel.

Switch blanks can easily be made to fit in the switch opening and then the toggle switch can be centered in the blank.

[Thedude]

1 hour ago, LANCECASPER said:

Switch blanks can easily be made to fit in the switch opening and then the toggle switch can be centered in the blank.

What am I legally allowed to change myself? Can I swap these out myself? I can take things apart and put them back together fine (most of the time), but I don't know a whole lot about electrical (I know basics, but don't know when I'm screwing something up necessarily) -- I assume these should be pretty trivial to swap out though.

[ArtVandelay]

What am I legally allowed to change myself? Can I swap these out myself? I can take things apart and put them back together fine (most of the time), but I don't know a whole lot about electrical (I know basics, but don't know when I'm screwing something up necessarily) -- I assume these should be pretty trivial to swap out though.

Those switches are also circuit breakers, so it’s not trivial to replace them.
You need to add circuit breakers and switches, and circuit breakers should be with the others.

Wait until you do a panel upgrade, the you have it done right.

[Thedude]

2 minutes ago, ArtVandelay said:

Those switches are also circuit breakers, so it’s not trivial to replace them.
You need to add circuit breakers and switches, and circuit breakers should be with the others.

Wait until you do a panel upgrade, the you have it done right.

Oh ok I figured I could find toggle switches with the breakers in them as well. I bought this plane about a year ago and it's got a panel that won't need an upgrade for a decade plus ideally, so I'll probably need new switches before doing much else. 

[ArtVandelay]

Oh ok I figured I could find toggle switches with the breakers in them as well. I bought this plane about a year ago and it's got a panel that won't need an upgrade for a decade plus ideally, so I'll probably need new switches before doing much else. 

When others upgrade panels they will sell their old stuff including switches, I would recommend you keep an eye out for them.

[LANCECASPER]

8 hours ago, Thedude said:

What am I legally allowed to change myself? Can I swap these out myself? I can take things apart and put them back together fine (most of the time), but I don't know a whole lot about electrical (I know basics, but don't know when I'm screwing something up necessarily) -- I assume these should be pretty trivial to swap out though.

What you may do is preventive maintenance. What you should do is different for everyone. It's really more than just swapping out the switches. The confined space that you're working in under the panel on a Mooney, for  a long time on a project like this, presents unique challenges that requires more patience than I have.  Unless you're doing a complete panel overhaul I would replace a switch that goes bad one at at time. As @ArtVandelay mentions they are available on the used market.

[CCAS]

16 hours ago, ArtVandelay said:

When others upgrade panels they will sell their old stuff including switches

I fall in that category.  I've got all my original ETA switches (28v 1989 M20J); not sure what model/voltage Mooney the OP has.  Shoot me a PM if I can help.  

[201Mooniac]

I also have a couple of switches left from my 14V 1980 M20J, I’ve sold some of the more popular ones already.

[Scott Ashton]

3 hours ago, 201Mooniac said:

I also have a couple of switches left from my 14V 1980 M20J, I’ve sold some of the more popular ones already.

What do you have left?

[201Mooniac]

17 hours ago, Scott Ashton said:

What do you have left?

Scott,  I’m away for the holidays but will be happy to respond when I get back and let you know which ones I have left.  Likely next Sunday or Monday.