Topic: Mercury switches in rod lockers

This topic has 4 replies, 4 voices, and was last updated 10 years, 2 months ago by grybrd.

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April 2, 2016 at 12:33 am #434561

porkybass
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Hey guys so i have a few bad mercury switches in my rod lockers and other compartments and instead of replacing them i was thinking of installing some LED strips in the compartments and taking out the existing lights. I was going to eliminate the mercury switches all together and just wire all the lights to a toggle switch and just manually turn the lights off/on as needed. My question is will this then eliminate my alarm? Does the alarm run off the mercury switch as well? If so is there a way you guys can think of so my alarm will still be functional but i can get rid of these mercury switches? Thanks

April 2, 2016 at 2:06 am #434563

JEH in La
Participant

The only thing that I would recommend you do is to “make sure that the switches are actually bad” before you go further. Maybe you have already done that. If not, then totally isolate the switch by unplugging the leads and place an ohmmeter across the leads to test the switch. If they are indeed bad then proceed with your plan. You could simply have a bad contact in the hinge area that is causing your problems. That has been proven to be a problem for many owners before. If you have already done this, then disregard my post.Oh and let me add that someone else will have to answer your questions about how the switches affect the alarm system because I am not sure about that.Last edited by JEH in La on April 2nd, 2016, 2:08 am, edited 1 time in total.Everyone should believe in something. I believe Ill just go fishing!

April 2, 2016 at 2:51 am #434564

porkybass
Participant

hey thanks for the input! I will have to double check the switches but im pretty sure its the actual switch and not a ground issue cuz when i smack the switch with my hand the light will turn on ( or at least on a few of them)

April 2, 2016 at 4:59 am #434565

1hoteyra
Participant

If your alarm is like mine—Your alarm senses current flow. If a rod locker is opened- light comes on–current flows and alarm will sound. If you bypass the lights in rod lockers or storage lockers-alarm is of no value. Simple check would be arm your security system and open rod locker-if light comes on and alarm goes off you have your answer.

April 2, 2016 at 6:48 pm #434566

grybrd
Participant

The alarm is triggered by the lights coming on. Lose the lights and lose the alarm.BCB replacement switches are expensive and look like someones nose cast in resin. There are readily available Mercury switches on line that are cheap and easy to use. I would just do a Google search and go from there. I think I paid about $7 for mine after getting three from BCB for more than 3X that. (Sorry BCB. I love your service and your parts in general, but your switches were a bust, literally. Two broke when I was trying to install them.)
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