Pendant Switch

August 14, 2017

Dump Body Position Detection Gets National Attention

We’ve spoken in the past about the use of our limit switches as Dump Body position detection indicators, but recently this application was highlighted in a dramatically viral way.

As Carlos Escobedo and his father were travelling down the East Loop in Houston Texas, they noticed this completely oblivious dump truck driver heading down the highway with the dump body extended in all its glory. Despite attempts by Carlos and other motorists to warn the truck driver, the best Carlos could do is pull out the cell phone to video this extraordinary collision.  (WARNING: EXPLICIT LANGUAGE)

The force of this collision was such that it completely flipped the dump truck, and sent pieces of the overhead sign flying all over the highway, endangering motorists and shutting down the entire highway for several hours. Miraculously, no one was killed.

The Case for Mandatory Dump Body Detect

This is not the first video taken of this kind of incident, and the fact is that thousands of drivers of construction vehicles and bucket trucks make this mistake occasionally, hopefully with less spectacular consequences.

Manufactures of work trucks have long been aware of this potential safety hazard and started to add dump body detection to vehicles years ago to try and prevent such scenarios.  CPI waterproof limit switches have been selected for this critical safety function by a number of different vehicle makers over the years owing to the high reliability and durability requirements this application presents.

CPI Solution to Dump Body Position Detection

Most commonly chosen for this application is a sealed E1 Limit switch like our B9112,Waterproof dump body limit switch (E1092) housed in a simulated roller spring actuator bracket as shown. This switch is available in either normally open or closed variations.

This configuration has a number of properties that really make it ideal for this application.

  • The Santoprene sealed switch is 100% waterproof
  • The bracket is 100% high grade stainless steel and not prone to rusting or degradation over the life of the switch when exposed to harsh environments.
  • Actuation travel is approximately .81” but can be customized to your needs.
  • Switches are qualified to up to 1 million cycles, likely to outlive the trucks they are used in.
  • The switches are IP 68 rated

Other mounting brackets include straight lever mounts, roller lever, and flush mount lever variations to fit into any form factor available.

Final Thoughts On Dump Body Detection

While dump body detection is not currently required by law, smart work truck manufactures are not risking it. The potential safety issues are too extreme, and the cost of wiring a robust limit switch to a dashboard light is minimal. Plus, CPI has switches already qualified into this application. It’s kind of a no-brainer…(-:

Whatever your vehicle safety requirement, the odds are that CPI has a switch that is a perfect, durable fit for it. Contact us today. 

Original content posted on https://www.cpi-nj.com/blog/dump-body-position-detection-gets-national-attention/

April 4, 2017

Heavy Duty Waterproof Pendant Switches

Pipe mount Pendant Switch

CPI Manufacturers a line of hand actuated pendant switches, that are completely waterproof, and designed for high vibration, high endurance applications in the industrial and military spaces.  They are designed and made entirely in the USA.

It’s fair to say, these are not your mother’s pendants…

pendant switch, cpi momentary switch application

CPI’s deceptively innocent looking pendant switches actually represent decades of switch research, field testing, and manufacturing advances that allow affordable US based mass production with incredible efficiency. These switches come in dozens of electrical configurations, with specifiable endurance ratings and contact parameters.

CPI Pendant Switches – Primary Characteristics.

Perhaps the most singular characteristic of this product line is simply that it’s really, really hard to break them. They are designed to last under extreme environmental use cases so as to be perfect for mission critical safety applications or operator hand actuated controls.

  1. Completely Sealed, completely waterproof.
  2. Lead entry/egress sealed at factory in whatever lead length you need.
  3. Immunity to windborne dirt, dust, gasses, and other particulates.
  4. Can be Qualified to 1 million cycles of electromechanical endurance.
  5. Available in all electrical configurations. (Normally Open/Closed, Momentary Contact, Maintained contact)
  6. High current versions available (up to 5A)
  7. Both high and low extended temperature variations available.
  8. Specifiable tactile feel (high button, low button, low force activation…etc…)
  9. Dozens of mounting configurations available.

CPI Pendant Switch Applications

The ways our clients have used our switches over the years is as diverse as your imagination.

  1. Scissor Lift raise/lower control
  2. Controls the extension of stabilizers on the outside of utility or emergency vechicles.
  3. Used to control an electrical generator on custom enduro-mountain bikes.
  4. Used as an external control on Military’s truck based THAAD missile launcher system.
  5. Used for compactor control on Sanitation vehicles.
  6. Horn control on forklifts and telehandlers
  7. Used as a PON/OFF switch on industrial sandblasters due to its ability to withstand high pressure water during power washing operations.
  8. Numerous “Push-To-Talk” applications including NASCAR vechicles.

CPI Pendant Switches are Unique Problem Solvers For Today’s Demands

When the run-of-the-mill commercial pendant switches just won’t get the job done, our unique capabilities in waterproof pendant switch design might be just what you need. We’ve been making high endurance electromechanical switches for the toughest applications on planet earth for over 70 years.

Is your application tough enough for our switches?  Let’s find out..

Original content posted on https://www.cpi-nj.com/blog/heavy-duty-waterproof-pendant-switches/

May 25, 2016

Sealed Pendant Switches – The Jewels of Waterproof Switches.

In the world of waterproof switches, designers understand pendant switches to be pushbutton switches that are hand actuated by an actual human.  There are typically leads extending from the body of the switch which can allow an ergonomic distance between the operator and the control system.  These switches, or sometimes “pendant stations” full of pushbutton switches are designed to control various systems in the factory or on machinery.  A common commercially available configuration is shown below:

A commercial pendant switch

typical commodity pendant switch, consumer grade

This configuration is common, with the button at the end of a cylindrical enclosure, meant to be used for things like nursing call stations, On/Off operator control, or momentary device control where the device is actuated only as long as the operator keeps the pendant depressed. The vast majority of pendant switches you will fine are really of a commercial variety and their target use is for sedate, indoor applications.

But for construction vehicles, military equipment, or heavy machinery control, the vast majority of pendant devices you will find lack the robustness and environmental sealing necessary to operate effectively in these deployments.

CPI Pendant Switch Solutions

CPI Waterproof Pendant SwitchesControl products makes a complete line of waterproof pendant switches which are specifically designed for the needs of high reliability, high endurance, and complete watertight operation. Couple these with our versatile mounting brackets and what you have is a pendant switch with up to 15A capability that will be ready to work when you need it, no matter what it is exposed to in the interim.

K1005 Pendant Switch – This is a maintained contact rocker switch version. This pendant switch has seen many military and non military applications owing to its high tolerance to heat and its extreme electromechanical endurance.  Not to mention that it is truly waterproof (ie.. submersible)

B7151 Pendant Switch – this is our “high button” momentaryMomentary Contact Switch closure pendant, also completely sealed in Neoprene and immune to moisture and vibration.  Common uses include as a welding torch switch or for motor “jogging” applications.

CPI Pendant Switch Applications

Our pendants get chosen for any application where there is a potentially wet or outdoor environment and designers don’t want to take chances on the reliability of the switch. Here’s a few examples.

THAAD Missle Launch Truck  – Build by Oshkosh and Lockeed

CPI Waterproof Pendant Switches on THAAD Missle Defense Launch VehicleIn this application our K1005-504 is mounted near the wheel well where it can be subject to a fair amount of heat and vibration between uses.  Our Neoprene seal extends the temperature range from -65F to 185F and completely seals the switch away from dust, moisture and vibration as well.

US Marines Humvee – Built by SAIC.

CPI Pendant Switches on Marine HumveeIn this application the same K1005-504 is used as a control on the Up-Front-Display Unit inside the vehicle.

Industrial Sand Blaster – Clemo Industries

In this heavy duty sand blasting Pendant Rocker Switch on Sandblaster machinemachine exposed to extremes of water, dirt, dust and other airborne particulates.  A Robustly sealed and washdown proof switch is of extreme importance to these folks.

CPI Pendants are Unique Problem Solvers – Call Us Today!

When the run-of-the-mill commercial pendant switches just won’t get the job done, our unique capabilities in switch design might be just what you need. We’ve been making high endurance electromechanical switches for the toughest applications on planet earth for over 70 years.

Is your application tough enough for our switches?  Let’s find out..

This content was originally posted at https://www.cpi-nj.com/blog/sealed-pendant-switches-the-jewels-of-waterproof-switches/

May 16, 2016

Our Waterproof Rocker Switches… Rock!

A quick web search for “Waterproof Rocker Switches” yields a universe of rocker switches, made for a universe of applications. Sadly even glorious Google can’t seem to completely sort out the waterproof variety from the more common standard PCB mounted round or rectangular versions and so it is for you the poor system designer to wade through this mess looking for the right rocker switch for your wet and watery application.

Our own rocker switch makes the cut with Google too, with a nice picture on the first page of search results of our K1007 Maintained Rocker.

CPI Waterproof Rocker Switch - K1007

So if you found us and are reading this because of a similar search, then why don’t we just cut to the chase and tell why our truly waterproof pendant style rocker switches may be last waterproof switch you ever need?

Rocker Switch Design

CPI Rocker switches are part of our family of waterproof switches which we’ve beenWaterproof Rocker Switches refining and selling for over 70 years. They are implemented in a style commonly referred to as “pendant switches” owing to their size and form factor. What CPI does is to pair one of our sealed, waterproof pendant switch designs, with an actuator mounting bracket which can allow the switch to be used in an almost infinite number of applications.  Some customer even use the switch without any bracket for a manual operator driven application such as a toggle switch on a motorboat winch.

A great example of our switch in action is our K1007 SPST Maintained Rocker Switch. With our standard Neoprene seal this switch operates from -60F to 180F without issue and can be specified with current capability up to 15A or electromechanical endurance up to 5 million cycles.  And don’t forget that like all our waterproof switches, the K100X series of Waterproof rocker switches is truly waterproof:  not splashproof or water resistant.

Waterproof Rocker Switch Applications

CPI waterproof rockers have been used extensively on military vehicles, in boats, MilitaryHumveeInWaterWithCPISwitcheson industrial sand blasters, and in one case as a customization to a Mountain bike used for enduro-racing (See our post on Gravel Grinders).

In every case, the common thread for why we are selected has to do with the extremely reliability of the parts, under some of the most challenging environmental conditions and deployments in the world.

Call CPI Today to discuss YOUR Waterproof Rocker Switch Application

If you’re concerned about part selection for your waterproof rocker switch application, you owe it to yourself to give us a call and discuss it.  Our engineers know this stuff cold, we can help.

Visit us on the web at https://www.cpi-nj.com.

 

This content was originally posted at https://www.cpi-nj.com/blog/our-waterproof-rocker-switches-rock/

April 29, 2016

Push Button Switch Types

Engineers and system designers looking for reliable switch products often face a quandary. Selection of switches with their inherent mechanical limitations must be pondered carefully or they risk being the proverbial “weakest link” in an otherwise robust control or safety system design.

When switches are directly operated by humans, the equation becomes even more complex. Tactile factors come into play, as well as consideration of the ergonomics of mounting and positioning these switches in vehicles or machinery that may be exposed to severe weather, temperature, vibration or all of the above.

Push Button Switch Actuation

In addition of offering some of the industry’s most hardened waterproof switch designs,  CPI switches come in a number of form factors, suitable for almost any deployment

Hand Actuated – CPI Pendant Switches can come in momentary or maintained closure options and are completely submersible. Extended temperature operation is achieved through either Neoprene or Santoprene sealing with leads completely sealed and extending from the switch body in any length required. Both standard and “light touch” actuation versions available.

Rolling Ball Switches – Our all stainless steel, rolling ball switch option (J4 series) is ideal for applications requiring a low profile, non-linear activation in a harsh operational environment.  The J4 is a patented ball carrier design which prevents contaminates such as mud, dirt, ice, sand, dust, etc. from jamming the ball.

Applications include transfer case gear position sensing, neutral safety detection, Hydraulic valve position indication, PTO switching, door switch, backup safety alarm, and interlock switch detection.

Plunger Switches – Based on the J4 seal design, our plunger switch allows designers to be sure that waterproof performance can be maintained in extreme environments with electro-mechanical endurance up to 5 million cycles.  Plunger size and activation force can be custom specified, and our patented exclusion seal insures the contacts against sand, dust, dirt, mud, rain and pressure washer abuse.

Limit Switches – By mounting our pendant switches in a series of enclosures, CPi can offer operational limit switch variations suitable for a wide variety of industrial applications.

·         Roller Limit Switch ·         Roller Lever Flush Mount
·         Simulated Roller Limit Switch ·         Roller Lever Angle Mount
·         Straight Lever ·         Profiled Lever, Flush Mount
·         Simulated Lever ·         Dual Switch, Simulated Roller

And many more mounting variations are customizable.

Waterproof Push Button Switches for High Endurance Applications.

For over 60 years CPI has been designing, manufacturing, and qualifying the toughest
waterproof switches in the world in thousands of unique applications from fire engines to fishing reels, from steel mills to submarines . When manufacturers want a final solution to their robust switching needs, it usually ends at our doorstep.

Please call our team today to discuss your application and vist us at http://www.cpi-nj.com.

 

This content was originally posted at https://www.cpi-nj.com/blog/push-button-switch-types/

April 16, 2016

Safety Switches for Forklifts and Telehandlers

In the world of material handling equipment, operator safety is probably one of the more critical design considerations. With Forklifts and Telehandlers that are moving tons of sheetrock, cinder-block or other materials you don’t really want that to land on somebody. Or run them over while you’re moving it around. That would be bad.

Switch Applications for Forklifts and Telehandlers

forklift-1There are a number of safety systems present in Forklifts and Telehandlers for which CPI waterproof switch products often get selected. Since these specialized vehicles often operate outdoors in less than ideal conditions on construction sites, a tough and durable switch is essential to both equipment uptime, and job safety.

Neutral Safety Switch

The job of a neutral safety switch is to insure that you can’t start a vehicle be it an automobile or a forklift, while the vehicle is in gear. If you allowed that, the vehicle could suddenly lurch forward causing instability of payload and injury to anyone standing too close. On a forklift or telehandler, the neutral safety switch is typically screwed into the valve body on top of the transmission. As such it can be subject to the hot temperatures of the transmission block and valve assembly.

Ball Switch for Forklifts and TelehandlersFor this application our J4001 ball switch is often used owing to its highly robust all stainless steel design, and its qualification for extreme electromechanical endurance. At the heart of the J4 is a patented ball carrier design which prevents contaminates such as mud, dirt, ice, sand, dust, etc. from jamming the ball. Furthermore the switches are completely submersible and are unaffected by water, salt spray, humidity, dirt, dust, sand, icing, oil, shock and vibration.

Back Up Alarm Switch

If you’ve ever spent any time in a warehouse or on a constructionE1078 site, you’ve for sure heard that loud annoying beeping sound whenever a lift moves backwards. That doesn’t happen without the engagement of a switch like our E1078 Waterproof Limit Switch. Our switch is mechanically enganged when the lift moves backward and handles the full current load required by most horns, up to 15A rated load available.

Stop Switch

B2_lowbutt_cable_1An emergency stop switch is a staple of the non-automotive vehicular class of equipment providing immediate cessation of power to key drive systems in an emergency. CPI switches like our B2003 Normally Open pushbutton are 100% waterproof solutions that can be mounted in panels or dashboards anywhere on the vehicle. These pendant style switches come in a full assortment of styles to fit any set of engineering requirements. Electrical ratings, pole configuration, current rating, button height and more can be specified.  Electromechanical endurance ratings up to 5 million cycles has been achieved.

CPI Waterproof Switch Customization

CPI solutions for the non-automotive vehicular market are widespread but share a common desire by manufacturers for tough, reliable and long lasting solutions. All our switches are designed and built in the USA and can be customized to your specific needs.

Call us today to discuss your application.

 

This content was originally posted at https://www.cpi-nj.com/blog/safety-switches-for-forklifts-and-telehandlers/

February 29, 2016

Dead Man’s Switch – The Electrical One…

While a Google search of “dead mans switch” brings with it a host of interesting non-engineering references, we concern ourselves today with the ones related to the more pedestrian and technical meaning:  Operator Presence Detection.

The phrase “Dead Man’s Switch” was originally coined by engineers at the turn of the century who were running electric streetcars and trains. These devices do pretty much what the name implies: they prevent a disaster if the equipment operator suddenly dies or becomes incapacitated.  Indeed, deployment of dead-man devices in the USA saw great increase after the famous Malbone Street Subway Crash in Brooklyn in 1918 which killed over 70 people. Today throughout the world, trains and rail transit vehicles universally employ these devices.

In more civilized society, this application is commonly called “Operator presence detection”, and these switch based devices are used on a wide variety of equipment as fail-safe mechanism. When the fail-safe condition is detected the make or break of the circuit is designed to bring operation back to a safe state such as reducing motor idle speed, applying brakes, or sounding alarms.

Applications of Operator Presence Detection

At CPI, we’ve seen variations of our E1 limit switches used in a wide variety of these fail-safe applications.

  • Handle mounted on vehicles for “lost grip” detection. Our line of pendant switches has the low profile options and environmental durability to withstand abusive usage.
  • Hand held tools and lawn and garden equipment – Typically when saws or rotating blades are involved operator presence is required. In fact every walk-behind mower sold in the US since 1982 has an operator-presence control, which by law must stop the blades within 3 seconds after the user lets go of the controls.
  • Touch Sensor backup switch – Capacitive touch sensor switches detect a driver’s hand except where the driver needs gloves or the sensor fails. In those cases a backup dead man’s switch is provided that can use our standard, high reliability, E1 Safety Limit Switch.
  • Seat Switches – a very common application for our E1 Limit switch is in “operator-in-seat” type applications on lawn mowers, combines, tractors, you name it. One large mower manufacturer uses our CPI E1115 is commonly employed in this application.
  • Pedal Switches – This application is similar in use to handle mounted where release of the pedal constitutes an emergency event on trains typically. The CPI switch is ideal for these applications due to its small form factor and extremely high reliability and durability.

Features of CPI Switches for Operator Presence Detection and General Fail-Safe Applications

A few primary factors bring equipment manufactures to our door time and time again for dead man switch and indeed many general fail-safe switch applications:

  1. Outdoor Environmental Durability. Resistant to sand, wind, dirt, mud and vibration. And of course our switches are completely, 100% waterproof, not spalshproof or water resistant.
  2. Versatile, and low profile form factors with sealed versions tolerating extreme temperature ranges.
  3. Long electromechanical endurance means no in-warranty service issues.

Switches Commonly Used in Fail-Safe Applications

E1115CPI E1115 – This is a commonly used low profile switch bracket with a “simulated” roller, ideal for under the seat applications.  As such it is unobtrusive making for good ergonomics at the seat. The switch itself can be specified in a wide variety of standard electrical configurations and lead lengths.

CPI’s E1134 Interlock Limit SwitchCPI E1134 – Roller Level Flush Mount switch. Similar to above but with a hard nylon roller. Parameters such as travel length, current rating, and electromechanical endurance are customizable. CPI has achieved endurance qualifications over 5 million cycles with this basic roller limit switch design.

E1085CPI E1085 – This is a Flush mount bracket on a “dual switch” configuration allowing two separate circuits to be controlled during a fail-safe event. All the same comments with regard to switch customization and electrical parameters apply, but to both switches.

Here are some useful links:

CPI Will Help You Select a Switch that’s Right for Your Application

At CPI we’ve been making high endurance waterproof switches for over 70 years from our factory here in East Hanover New Jersey. We’ve made switches for US Military Vehicles, Navy Ships, and Construction Vehicles, not to mention pleasure boats, lawn mowers, and even mountain bike racers.

When companies get fed up with the performance of a cheap, offshore-made switch in a critical application, they typically come to us.  In production quantities our prices are competitive with the offshore guys, but with none of the field problems.  Our engineers see to that during a rigorous qualification of switches which are made right here in the USA. With CPI you have both off-the-shelf and full custom options for your switch design.

Call us today.  Make the switch to CPI.

http://www.cpi-nj.com

This content was originally posted at https://www.cpi-nj.com/blog/dead-mans-switch-the-electrical-one/

December 21, 2015

CPI Waterproof Switch Panels

Sometimes you need a switch that’s really, truly waterproof. Not just water-resistant or “splash-proof.

And if you want one with carefully manufactured durability and extended temperature operation, well you’ve narrowed down the field even further.

For tough marine or outdoor applications, CPI’s panel mounted, sealed waterproof switches get the nod after that cheap offshore built switch that seemed so great, starts to fail in the field. Why not start with our switch and save yourself the headache?

Basic CPI Pendant Style Waterproof Switch.

The internal switching mechanism here is a snap-action copper sine blade spring with a riveted contact. The standard contact material is silver alloy with gold alloy and gold plated silver contacts available upon request. Our switches are even available in low-medium-high configurations so that you can choose the tactile feel you need.

There are a few things that make CPI switches the go-to switch when you are done messing around with other implementations.

  • Electrical Ratings: Nominally 5 amps resistive, 3 amps inductive, higher ratings available upon request.
  • Endurance: 100,000 to 1 million cycles, configuration dependent.
  • Temperature Range: from -50F to 221F.
  • Environment Resistance: Resistant to acids, alkalides, salt spray, sand, dust and fungus. And completely Waterproof.
  • Jacket: Thermoplastic Rubber. Material options able to provide extended cold operation (no freeze ups).
  • Termination: In terms of connectors, the sky is the limit.

Mounting in CPI Waterproof Switch Panels

Our dual panel mount configuration is a good example of a commonly used stock panel mount configuration. In this panel, the twin switches can be wired in series, parallel, or left as individual circuits as shown below.

CPI Pendant Switch - Waterproof switch panel configurationsBoth vertical and horizontal panels are stock but hey, we can make it look like whatever you need, that’s what we do and we do it right here in lovely East Hanover NJ, not on the other side of the planet.

E1333_194x134

Call CPI for all your Truly Waterproof Switch Panel Needs.

If it’s time to think seriously about your toughest marine or outdoor applications, then we really want to talk to you.

Call CPI today to ask about all our Waterproof Switches.  Ask for Mac.

Visit www.cpi-nj.com for more information.

 

This content was originally posted at https://www.cpi-nj.com/blog/cpi-waterproof-switch-panels/

October 3, 2015

Racing To the Finish With CPI Momentary Switches

If you’re at all into racing of any kind, chances are you’ve been watching a CPI momentary switch run around the track right in front of your very eyes.

CPI pendant style momentary contact switches are a fairly common fixture on the racing circuit and our newest application includes some racers who are tearing it up on ATV and snowmobile tracks across the country.

Nitrous Oxide Racing with ATV’s and Snow Mobiles

Momentary Switches for Racing VehiclesNitrous kits are actually a common fixture on many racing circuits. Maybe their most well-known use is on the drag racing circuit, where the power of compressed Nitric Oxide can add some serious horsepower to a drag rig allowing those vehicles to get from 0 to 60 in ridiculous times like 1.6 seconds.

In the ATV circuit, a well-placed and carefully utilized nitrous kit is a staple of racing, meant to provide rapid acceleration and deceleration under driver control. For this application the folks at Straightline Performance selected the CPI B7151 Momentary Pendant Switch.

A Momentary Switch Designed with Humans in Mind

Momentary Contact SwitchOne of the many reasons CPI switches are choosen for demanding performance applications goes beyond just waterproof reliability. The B7151 momentary contact switch is a low force, high activation button variant of our standard switch, allowing operators a definite tactile feel, even when they are wearing gloves! As part of their e-tek nitrous kit, Straightline chose the B7151 for these ergonomic factors as well as its ability to perform as a completely sealed waterproof momentary switch. The B7151 is completely sealed in santoprene and can be ordered with custom lead lengths, and electrical specifications.

On the snowmobile racing circuit, the racing is chillier, but the goal is the same. Give your machine that nitrous boost in the wide open straightway. Our momentary switch is typically mounted to the steering wheel and is normally open until depressed, providing added horsepower until released. And it doesn’t matter how wet or cold it gets, our santoprene sealed switch is 100% waterproof and temperature certified down to -20F.

CPI Momentary Switches in “Push To Talk” Applications

When racing around a track at high rates of speed, talking to your team is critical whether you’re NASCAR, Formula 1, or driving your restored VW in the demolition derby. While racing teams like to keep their choices in technology pretty close to the vest, we can tell you for certain that a few of these folks that you watch on TV are using our B7151 momentary contact switch to keep in touch with the pit crew. Again this switch has been chosen because it provides a large tactile footprint for a gloved hand and extremely reliable operation. It is mounted to the steering wheel where the driver can easily interact with it with their thumb without moving his hands from the wheel.

Finding our Momentary Switches.

If you believe one of our Momentary Switches might be right for your racing application give us a call. We have many off the shelf variations of this switch to meet most needs. Small quantities of switches are available immediately through distributors like McMaster and Grainger.

Typical CPI Momentary Switch variations include:

  1. Lead length
  2. Electrical parameters (normally open/closed)
  3. Temperature range (mil-spec ranges available)
  4. Switch footprint and button size.
  5. Momentary Switch or maintained contact switch.
  6. Switch tactile feel (high button, low button)
  7. Switch activation Force

Call us today for further information on our full line of Momentary Switches. Or see our full product line at http://www.cpi-nj.com/waterproof-switches.

 

This content was originally posted at https://www.cpi-nj.com/blog/racing-to-the-finish-with-cpi-momentary-switches/

August 14, 2015

Gravel Grinder Bike Racers Reach Out To CPI

I know what you’re thinking… What the heck is a Gravel Grinder race?  We had to consult the internet too when this application first came to our attention, but it turns out that Gravel Racing is one of the fastest growing bicycle race sports in the country.

Unlike the Tour-de-France, gravel bike racers don’t have a van with a team following them, sponsors, or the lure of big prize money. Terrain can be a combination of asphalt, packed gravel, loose gravel roads, maintenance or B roads, and some single track. The riders are completely self supported and races can run anywhere from 50 to 800 miles.  Two of the most popular events are the Dirty Kanza 200 and the Trans Iowa, which are both over 200 miles long and take even the winners, well over 13 hours to finish.

If you’re a Gravel Grinder, you’re carrying your world on your bike and your back. Race courses go through parks and mountains, over little rocks, and small Volkswagen sized rocks, where trail signs are few and far between. You are riding in the day, and the night, in the hot sun and the rain and mud. Your pedaling is not only propelling you toward the finish line but like a human hamster on a wheel, it is providing power to a couple critical of critical electrical systems that can make the difference between getting to the finish line, and getting rescued by the park service…

That’s where CPI’ waterproof pendant switches come in.

CPI Waterproof Pendant Switch on Custom Gravel Grinder Touring Bicycle

Getting ready to Grind the Gravel!

Salsa Cycles is a premier maker of Gravel bikes for all levels of off road experiences, including every day folks just looking to perk up their road rides with a little off road fun, as well as serious Gravel Grinder competitors. Our K1005 Waterproof  Maintained Contact Pendant switch was recently selected for a modified Vaya touring bike. The switch is designed to control the flow of generator power between the bike’s headlight and the reserve battery.  Yes you heard that right, serious Gravel Bikes have a mounted electrical generator that converts the mechanical energy of the biker pedaling, into electrical current. This current can be used to power a headlight or by pressing our K1005 rocker switch, the current can be routed instead to charge an onboard battery. This battery powers the bike’s electrical system providing power for driving the Garmin GPS which gives distance, location, and even allows download of the race route.

CPI’s K1005 Maintained Contact Rocker Switch was chosen for all the usual reasons: Extreme reliability and completely watertight operation were key as these racers run through pouring rain, mud and humidity, as well as some serious vibration. Another bonus was the light weight and easy mounting of the switch assembly, pictured here mounted on the main crossbar just below the front handlebar assembly.

CPI Waterproof Pendant Switches Are Versatile Problem Solvers

CPI Waterproof Pendant Switches are designed to meet the challenges of wet, hostile environments and come with a 60 year history of reliable deployment in everything from muddy bicycles, to nuclear submarines. Some of the reasons the switch family has been so successful include:

  • Truly Waterproof – Not “Water Resistant” or “Splashproof”, our standard Neoprene sealing process has been both dramatically durable as well as cost effective to manufacture.
  • Solid Tactile feel – Both regular and “low activation force” options are available.
  • Switches come as either momentary contact or maintained contact as needed.
  • K1005 is a two wire two conductor SPST but special terminations and coil cords are available.
  • Can be custom hardened for extreme temperature ranges (hot and cold), extreme electromechanical endurance, and higher current requirements.

Contact CPI for all your Waterproof Switch Needs

For those considering new applications for our waterproof switches, we can provide samples to test in your prototypes, and engineers to discuss best practices in how to use them and mount them.

Call us today.  We love to hear about new applications for our switches or visit www.cpi-nj.com for more information.

This content was originally published at https://www.cpi-nj.com/blog/gravel-grinder-bike-racers-reach-out-to-cpi/