Slide-out key switch

[tinkeringtechie]

We have young kids that love to play with switches and the slide-out switch is right on their level. Before we even had the trailer I had the key switch ready to swap out.

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It's a momentary bi-directional switch, so it springs back to center. Turning right makes it go out, turning left makes it go in. It keeps the kids from crushing the table (or each other) and prevents me from accidentally hitting it while I'm searching for the main light switch. I built it using a modular switch system that I ordered from Digikey (I can dig up the part numbers if anyone is interested) combined with a blank black faceplate that I drilled a hole in. Here's what it looks like from behind:

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And installed:

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The wiring itself is really straightforward. There are only three wires: Purple (Common), Red (Out), Black (In). Connecting purple to red makes it go in; connecting purple to black makes it go out. I used the same connectors as the original switch, so it was pretty much plug and play. The hole in the cabinet was even the right size!

[fasteddieb]

Brilliant!

When shopping for an RV we found out how irresistible buttons and switches are to the under-five set.

I'll discuss with Karen to see if she thinks this would be a worthwhile mod.