Water Pump Switch in Bathroom

[howson]

...and you have good electrical sources could you make recommendations.

I've had good experiences with these folks: https://www.onlinecomponents.com/

Send them an email with your requirements and they'll respond with a recommendation.

[gbkims]

HELP !!!
I have been searching for a true 15A - 20A[SIZE=12px] momentary illuminated switch.
Specifications here https://www.bluesea.com/products/792...Black_-_OFF-ON

The Blue Sea switch looks to be made by Carlingtech - https://www.carlingtech.com/rocker-switches
Momentary Illuminated are a bit harder to find.
https://newwiremarine.com/product/re...pdt-momentary/
https://spemco.com/all-rocker-switches/

Crimp connectors. Morris Products on Amazon are a good alternative to Panduit, Sta-kon.

[Yoda]

The Blue Sea switch looks to be made by Carlingtech - https://www.carlingtech.com/rocker-switches
Momentary Illuminated are a bit harder to find.
https://newwiremarine.com/product/re...pdt-momentary/
https://spemco.com/all-rocker-switches/

Crimp connectors. Morris Products on Amazon are a good alternative to Panduit, Sta-kon.

Thanks for the help
Keith

[Schiefswret]

I can appreciate and respect the fact that not everybody has spent many years living aboard ships like I have. Nevertheless, and especially, if I personally installed the power switch/button myself, I can assure you that considering the relatively small size of the bathroom (head) in an RV, I could find an non lighted power switch/button in the dark with zero difficulty. Even without years of experience at finding your way around in the dark when necessary, I’ll bet that after you did it only a few times you would probably be fully able to find it. So I’m wondering if the “juice is worth the squeeze” when it comes to the button/switch needing to be lighted. Best of luck with your research / project.

SCPO(SW), USN, (Ret)

[Yoda]

I can appreciate and respect the fact that not everybody has spent many years living aboard ships like I have. Nevertheless, and especially, if I personally installed the power switch/button myself, I can assure you that considering the relatively small size of the bathroom (head) in an RV, I could find an non lighted power switch/button in the dark with zero difficulty. Even without years of experience at finding your way around in the dark when necessary, I’ll bet that after you did it only a few times you would probably be fully able to find it. So I’m wondering if the “juice is worth the squeeze” when it comes to the button/switch needing to be lighted. Best of luck with your research / project.

SCPO(SW), USN, (Ret)

Dave
Thanks for the thoughts. Yep I could find it in the dark, but the light is to tell me I have it on. I am sort of jumping the water pump circuit (leaving existing 3 way alone) and need to know I have power on so I don't turn the other pump switches on and have a power back feed. Two power feeds in one circuit is not good. If I go with the momentary switch, the light is to indicate I have power to the pump when the switch is held in the on position. Momentary switches are OFF unless pushed, and return to OFF when released (spring loaded). Otherwise I am into an expensive set up as was posted at the other place recently, and I am not sure even that works. Its that or change everything over and try to wire 4 way 12v switches. I can do a 3 way, but 4 way might scramble the last gray cells I have left. This week I hope to trace how the pump is powered now and how the indicator lights are tied in. I am hoping I might be able to power the other on indicator lights to indicate I do have the pump on. Hope this better explains what I am up to.

I did find a switch (s) that will work.Thanks gbkims . I'll post the details later to make sure I guessed correctly. I'll wait to order - want to talk to their customer service first.

[Cate&Rob]

Two power feeds in one circuit is not good.

Hi Keith,

This is not a concern. Both power feeds come from the same 12V source. Pressing the momentary contact switch with the pump already running through the existing switch circuits will make absolutely no difference to the pump and will not blow a fuse.

As I described in a previous post, make sure that your lighted switch does NOT connect load to ground in the off position. There is a reason that the OE switches are not lighted and use separate lights.

Rob

[Yoda]

Hi Keith,

This is not a concern. Both power feeds come from the same 12V source. Pressing the momentary contact switch with the pump already running through the existing switch circuits will make absolutely no difference to the pump and will not blow a fuse.

As I described in a previous post, make sure that your lighted switch does NOT connect load to ground in the off position. There is a reason that the OE switches are not lighted and use separate lights.

Rob

Note quite sure I understand. If the lighted switch connects load to ground when off - the light would be on when the switch is off???? It been a long day getting gardens ready, so I may not be seeing the light

This is the switch I am considering (not momentary) https://spemco.com/v1d1at0b-single-p...right-red-led/ The switch rocker https://spemco.com/vvarc00-000-carli...d-square-lens/ and housing https://spemco.com/vms-01-carling-v-...ounting-panel/ are separate.That way the boss unit does not need to have me turn the pump on for her shower when she has stuff in her hair and......well don't ask. Just remember some of the old Lucy skits.

Keith


Afterthought - I will be talking with Spemco tomorrow and will ask that they send me a wiring diagram for the switch to power the LED when ON, and I will try and post it so I don't get my wires crossed. Thanks for the help.

[Cate&Rob]

Yoda
Hi Keith,

I tried to do something very similar to this on my boat. A momentary contact switch to bypass an existing on/off switch. Seemed pretty straight forward except that I had chosen a lighted momentary contact switch. In the “on” position input 12V is supplied to load. But . . . in the “off” position, the load was connected to the ground (for the switch light). This would short and blow the fuse when the original switch was turned on. I have no idea whether all switches are like this. I solved the problem by disconnecting the ground wire from the switch and doing without the light.

Rob

[gbkims]

I did see the Carling switches show Independent and/or Dependent lamp/led(s) for their switches.
I'm guessing by their data sheet that means independent of the switch contacts, or connected to the switch contacts if dependent

Drawing of how my water pump is wired. Doesn't mean that's how other ones are wired.
317RST Water Pump.pdf

[Schiefswret]

Dave
Thanks for the thoughts. Yep I could find it in the dark, but the light is to tell me I have it on. I am sort of jumping the water pump circuit (leaving existing 3 way alone) and need to know I have power on so I don't turn the other pump switches on and have a power back feed. Two power feeds in one circuit is not good. If I go with the momentary switch, the light is to indicate I have power to the pump when the switch is held in the on position. Momentary switches are OFF unless pushed, and return to OFF when released (spring loaded). Otherwise I am into an expensive set up as was posted at the other place recently, and I am not sure even that works. Its that or change everything over and try to wire 4 way 12v switches. I can do a 3 way, but 4 way might scramble the last gray cells I have left. This week I hope to trace how the pump is powered now and how the indicator lights are tied in. I am hoping I might be able to power the other on indicator lights to indicate I do have the pump on. Hope this better explains what I am up to.

I did find a switch (s) that will work.Thanks gbkims . I'll post the details later to make sure I guessed correctly. I'll wait to order - want to talk to their customer service first.

Gotcha. Good luck.

[Yoda]

I did see the Carling switches show Independent and/or Dependent lamp/led(s) for their switches.
I'm guessing by their data sheet that means independent of the switch contacts, or connected to the switch contacts if dependent

Drawing of how my water pump is wired. Doesn't mean that's how other ones are wired.
[ATTACH]n16949[/ATTACH]

Thanks Gene - gives me an idea of how they might have done mine. There is a chance I can light the switch LED from the existing indicator light circuit.

[Yoda]

Yoda
Hi Keith,

I tried to do something very similar to this on my boat. A momentary contact switch to bypass an existing on/off switch. Seemed pretty straight forward except that I had chosen a lighted momentary contact switch. In the “on” position input 12V is supplied to load. But . . . in the “off” position, the load was connected to the ground (for the switch light). This would short and blow the fuse when the original switch was turned on. I have no idea whether all switches are like this. I solved the problem by disconnecting the ground wire from the switch and doing without the light.

Rob

I think I understand now. Thanks to gbkims there is a chance I can light the LED from the existing separate indicator light circuit. More to come
Keith

[Cate&Rob]

That way in the middle of the night I can get a bit of water . . .

Hi Keith,
Back to where this discussion started . . .

There is another (even quieter) way accomplish this. An accumulator tank added to the water system will supply water pressure for a few flushes, without turning on the pump at all. Just a thought . . .

Rob

[howson]

Hi Keith,
Back to where this discussion started . . .

There is another (even quieter) way accomplish this. An accumulator tank added to the water system will supply water pressure for a few flushes, without turning on the pump at all. Just a thought . . .

Rob

That's a mod on my "wish list". Probably should do it in conjunction with replacing all the soft hoses.

[Yoda]

I don't know Rob - another project to add to my wish list

I have been talking (emails) to Spemco and I am learning a lot. Still a few questions to answer, but it appears I can wire the light to come on if other switches are on - have it act like the others except for turning the pump off if another switch is on. More to come. I definitely will post what I find out.