Ebay Toggle Switches?

[autocadplease]

Has anyone had any experience with the toggle switches being sold on Ebay from Hong Kong/China? My biggest concern is if they contain lead. Mind you, isn't everything made in China now anyways?

[Efe Cem Elci]

Lol. Yes, it seems its either China or one of its neighbors. The supposed problem is that companies that have production done in Asia enforce much stricter quality controls in the production process than do local companies producing for themselves. But occasionally you get the same product for less.
I wanted to get a USB audio splitter to separate ATC and the flight sim when flying (remember that, guys?) and ordered from a company in Hong Kong (off eBay) just to save a little cash. I got the product but there was too much interference in the audio, lots of static noise so I contacted them and they refunded me the payment. However, I've also had good buying experiences with various companies direct or through eBay as well so I guess its a bit of research and a bit of luck/fortune/what-have-you.

[ian@737ng.co.uk]

g'day chaps........
i have bought encoders, led's and switches from this guy on ebay.
cheap and the service is good.
http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Sure-Electronics
i'm not a forensic chemist so i can't comment on the lead, but he sure (excuse the pun)
is cheap and reliable.
his amber led's are excellent and he chucks in the resistors for free as well.
hope that helps you out.
regards from the welsh borders...... ian

[P1IC]

Has anyone had any experience with the toggle switches being sold on Ebay from Hong Kong/China? My biggest concern is if they contain lead. Mind you, isn't everything made in China now anyways?

Well, actually, to be totally non-PC here, that concern doesn't impinge on my consciousness even slightly. I'm 64, fit & healthy (although I probably drink too much ) and I'm a lead user.

And I've just taken another load of Pb solder from eBay because that's what I use. And will always use. And always have used. So if a switch I want has lead in it, see if I care.

What gets me about all this RoHS stuff is that we're actually returning the lead to where we got it from when we dispose of it. And if the disposal sites are too close to populations for safety, then that is not, I submit, a fault of the lead.

Everyone knows that lead is poisonous, therefore nowwdays we don't have it in our water pipes any more because of that. But I use probably 2oz of Pb in the solder I use, annually, and that is simply not an environmental concern. And the quantity of lead in a freaking switch is just , well, you know.

[Joe Lavery]

Hi All,

Like my learned friend Ian, I have also bought hundreds of LEDs and switches from Sure Electronics in China. Never a problem, quick delivery and cheap.
Not sure about the lead content but I too use lead solder and always have....
Ho Hum.

Regards

Joe.

[gblock]

http://www.angelfire.com/il2/aphs/forsale/forsale.html

In this section, I believe near the bottom, they have switches from actual aircraft in bags. There is no telling what you get, but they are certainly nice to have.

go to angelfire.com also, because they have many other interesting pics.

[gblock]

http://www.angelfire.com/il2/aphs/steal/steal.html

Here is the switches link with more deals...

[Joe Lavery]

Hi Elliot, I was aware of The Arline Pilots Historical Society but to be honest the switches sold in those Goodie Bags are not really worth the money.
You can buy brand new large toggle switches from Rapid for 60P, admittedly thye're not aircraft quality but difficult to tell when mounted in a panel. The miniature toggle switches are even cheaper from Sure Electronics in China.

However as you say they do have some very interesting bits and pieces, pity they don't sell the landing light switches for that sort of money. They're asking $40 each for those.
Regards

Joe.

[gblock]

Yeah, I never bought from them but it is good that they are actually reputable and have good stuff...

Thanks,
Elliot

[Jackpilot]

the switches sold in those Goodie Bags are not really worth the money.
You can buy brand new large toggle switches from Rapid for 60P, admittedly thye're not aircraft quality but difficult to tell when mounted in a panel.
Joe.

Just flip them on and off and you will know which one is "aircraft quality"...two worlds!!
Even the "click" is different!