Light Switch, New Style

[Ralph Fuller]

Has anyone installed the new style light switch? What are the considerations....beside the high cost? Installation seems straight-forward. I've read where the driver/operator has to look down to make changes.

[Fil Bonica]

Have had them on both of my A2s for years now. They seem to work correctly without any faults. It has a ground wire that has to be installed for proper operation. Other than that it is straight forward. Some people say that some blow up but of the three I have installed all worked correctly.
As an aside, years ago I was selling a completely restored A2 with a digital light switch. The switch got more comments than the A2 because no one had seen them before.

Keep in mind a NOS light switch is up there in price now so the differential is not as great.


Fil Bonica

[Cobra5]

I think it would look great on the later model A-2's. You could look at it as an upgrade if the vehicles were still in service. Do you know if any of the FAV's have these installed?

[sarmadq]

Fil's right, as long as the ground is hooked up well there are no problems. I posted a pic of a friend's A2 here longtime back, he had the switch. It got Ken's (muttguru) attention, not because of the switch but the red data plate it had next to it.

[Francis Marion]

I first saw these in a restored 5 ton about 12 years ago. It took a long time to figure out how to turn the lights on. I still have to retrain myself each time I get in one of the newer vehicles. I'll stick with the take-out I bought from Jack for $20. It's in pretty good shape and a little soda blasting and fresh paint will make it look as good as new.

[sherwan_88]

I guess it takes the Russian roulette out of turning the lights on/off while driving.
Now you guys would be wondering which idiot would turn the lights on/off while driving?
Take a wild guess?

[Fil Bonica]

In retrospect they took a perfectly good mechanical switch that's been around for sixty years and made an even more expensive replacement in the digital switch. I think I paid $ 250.00 for the first digital switch six or seven years ago. Just had to have one. Later bought for a lot less. They have a "wow" factor for a lot of viewers.
Incidentally, never had any problem adjusting positions underway. the only thing you might change is the dash brightness. Once the switch is on you can change functions with one keystroke.
Fil Bonica

[csmith]

Fil, where is the best place to get a new one and what should they cost now?

[Fil Bonica]

Try Frontline. Jeff had some a while back. There was a guy on Ebay in Brackney ,PA who has them used . Look there if you have a chance.
I would guess you would have to pay at least $ 125.00. Prices go up from there.

Fil Bonica

[Fil Bonica]

KUBLOS in Brackney, PA has one on Ebay right now.

Fil Bonica

[rickf]

Did a search for that username on E-Bay and nothing came up.

Rick

[Cobra5]

Rick,

Here's a link to one on Ebay http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/M35-M35A ... 4cedc21728

Tim

[sherwan_88]

I have real problem with the analog switch.. can't really hold up the unlock button while turning the main switch and driving... this seems a much better solution.

[ida34]

Any old soldier worth his salt can switch the old light switch from blackout drive to service drive with one hand while driving with the other hand. Having said that I have one of the push button switches on my deuce. When I got it, it was inop. Ebay at it's best. The first batch got a bad reputation for not working. There are four surface mount relays inside. They blow. My switch had one visibly blown. I got all four new for about $30 or $40. I replaced the relays and it has worked great for over four years. You must be sure you attach the ground wire before connecting the main connection on the back.

[Crusader_22]

Having used both in actual service, I cannot imagine why they switched to the new switch. You have to look at it to use it, and it just seems to me a poorly thought out solution to a problem that just does not exist.

Maybe they figure the Playstation generation needs more buttons.

Sad.

Jeff