Is this windlass switch genuine?

Murv

Murv

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Very flimsy, the connection is made by that piece of tin glued to the rubber pressing against the contacts and it's not sealed from the elements. Before I complain, does it look like a genuine loffrans switch?

https://imgur.com/a/CjkZODT

Edit : sorry, can't get the pictures to show directly
 
Looks like it. I've got an old one in the spares box and it's the same design. It will be sealed though.
 
Murv said:
Very flimsy, the connection is made by that piece of tin glued to the rubber pressing against the contacts and it's not sealed from the elements. Before I complain, does it look like a genuine loffrans switch?
Click to expand...

It doesn't need to be heavy-duty, there's practically no current through the contacts. If you mount it correctly, with sealant under it, it will be waterproof (until the red rubber bit ages and cracks).
 
pvb said:
If you mount it correctly, with sealant under it, it will be waterproof (until the red rubber bit ages and cracks).
Click to expand...

Another possible problem encountered is the "piece of tin" coming unstuck from the rubber and flopping around loose in the dome. The spring generally stops it flopping onto both contacts at once, so you don't get unexpected running, but it can take some fiddling about and pressing from just the right angle to get it to make contact.

It does seem a surprisingly agricultural design.

Pete
 
It is a good news bad news thing.

Good news Yes it is a genuine Lofrans foot switch.

Bad news the materials you describe are dissimilar and turn to green goo in a marine environment. Mine would last about 12 months.

The instructions say not use a sealant but I found it helped a little. 15 months instead of 12..

Good news. It is possible to mackle up a working switch using a couple of self tappers with the wire wrapped round them. Cut a bit off the rubber bosses and screw through the base. WARNING check that you have clearance between to conducting top thinghy and the screw heads before fitting.

There is an alternative Quick switch available which uses a microswitch. WARNING I have had two of these fail closed which had me diving for the circuit breaker.
 
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Thanks very much both.
I must admit, I do have a Quick footswitch on order, I can't bring myself to fit that Lofrans thing. I'm slightly surprised that they usually manage 12 months in all honesty.

The original is a Quick switch, it's a similar design but far more sturdy and the microswitch is completely sealed inside the dome.
I'm only replacing it as the cover broke off in heavy weather a couple of weeks ago and as the windlass is Lofrans (and seems well made) I assumed the switch would be too.
But, I have made a mental note about the issue with the microswitch failing!
 
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