Knee button to operate Westfalia water pump (hands-free)

[Sodo]

To use the Westy sink easier and save water, a knee switch can be added for hands-free operation.
I did this to an '85 westy I had...... way back i the '90s, and I don't know why it took 20 years add this mod to my current Westy.
It makes washing a LOT easier, you can use two hands and save lots of water.

The switch operates in parallel to the Westy knob, so either switch turns on the water pump equally.

Here's the switch I used.
I'd prefer a black button, but this is what they had.

It's 125vAC 3A.
The pump uses 1.1A @ 12vDC.
An OEM would prefer a bigger switch for 12vDC but you have a whole handful, so if you ever wear this one out, you have spares.

Search for "momentary switch". It needs to be "NO = Normally Open".
There is currently a pack of 18 switches that has assorted colors
WayinTop 18pcs Momentary Mini Push Button Switch Lockless 2 Pins 1A AC250V/3A AC125V SPST ON/OFF 6-7mm Automatic Reset Normally Open Switch (Black/Red/Green/Yellow/Blue/White)
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0813871PH/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_HfNGEbG61QP7T

Choose your "Knee location" and drill a 1/8" pilot hole.

Compare the length of the pilot on the spade to the length of the switch.
This is how you know how deep to drill the countersink relief on the inside of the cabinet.

Countersink the backside (inside the cabinet) with a nice sharp spade bit.
You can see I used 7/8".
It needs to be big enough for your vise-gripped switch to screw in.

You can see the tip of the spade bit pilot 1mm below the cabinet face.
This is the proper depth for the switch that I have.

Then I drilled the 1/8 pilot hole out to 17/64 which the threads have a little grip to screw into the wood, and holds "pretty well."
Note the switch body held by the long-nose vise grip.
The switch is easily crushed, be careful screwing it into the wood hole.

-----> It's worthwhile to test this drilling scheme on a piece of scrap plywood before drilling your Westfalia.

Here's the wire to the pump switch.

I used 'advanced methods' to piggyback the new switch wires onto the old switch wire terminals.
I cut about 5mm off the Westfalia wire sheath to make it easier to slide the old pump terminals back onto their spades.

OK hope this helps Samba members to enjoy their Vans!!
We'll all be camping again soon, right?
_________________


'90 Westy EJ25, 2Peloquins, 3knobs, pressure-oiled GT mainshaft, filtered, cooled gearbox
'87 Tintop w 47k 53k, '12 SmallCar EJ25, cooled filtered gearbox
....KTMs, GasGas, SPOT mtb

[DanHoug]

this is a great mod... often wanted a foot switch because the handle is so slippery when hands are wet. but can you hit that switch in between the panels with your knee???!

i'm tall and to do dishes standing kills my back all hunched over. always have to sit on a cooler to clean up. for me, a foot switch might be best. then again, my wife is short so maybe multiple parallel switches including one on the dash just for giggles.
_________________
-dan
60% of what you find on the internet is wrong, including this post.

'87 Westy & '89 Westy both 2.1 4spd

Past projects can be found at--
www.thefixitworkshop.com

[Zeitgeist 13]

Years ago I inherited a vintage Italian Necchi brand sewing machine and cabinet. Instead of a foot pedal it had a potentiometer actuated by your knee pushing sideways. I can see a next iteration of this using a variable resistance switch that allows you to increase or decrease the volume of water, just like a faucet.
_________________
Casey--

'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender --> full camper
y u rune klassik?

[Sodo]

Dan you can knee that area and test it.
Or consider it as a perk for your other half.
If you put a switch on the floor, can you get your foot on & off it while hunched over? Probably should test that too.
If a box or a backpack sets on a floor switch you will arrive at camp without water.

When my girls were little they discovered the button and thoght it was a real treat because depending upon what’s in the sink, sometimes it sprays all over and everyone jumps.
That could be why I didn’t add it to my next van right away, then I forgot, and my van sat un-used for several years too.

[erste]

[bobbyblack]

What a great Mod! Way cool!!!

One suggestion for an 'add' would be to find an opposite switch that disables the power to the pump when the lid is closed.

-bobby
_________________
'87 Westy 'Flossie','86 Westy 'R1','86 tintop GL - Subi2.2 'J2','83.5 stock tintop L 'ZoomBus','74 Karmann Ghia, '63 Notch

[Sodo]

[izzydog]

Love that knee switch!

I did a foot switch. I tried various plastic ones before I found this industrial strength one. Lives inside the sink cabinet when not in use.

[Alaskaberrys]

Really cool mod, would like to make a hands free option.

[Pascal]

I have the Gowesty version and like it a lot. It not only saves water but it keeps the faucet cleaner too by not having to touch it with wet hands.
https://www.gowesty.com/product/-/4209/hands-free-faucet-kit-?v=
My dog stepped on the switch when I first installed it. We had a wet mess when we arrived at out destination! It took me a few seconds to realize what had happened. Now it's always tucked out of the way until I'm ready to use the sink.
_________________
'84 Westy - 2.2wbx, GT Torque-Biasing Differential
'91 EA Cabby

[izzydog]

[Sodo]

You could put adhesive velcro on that and stow it up high on the inside of the cabinet door.
Then you don’t have to dig for it.
When you swing the door open the switch it’s already dug out.
_________________


'90 Westy EJ25, 2Peloquins, 3knobs, pressure-oiled GT mainshaft, filtered, cooled gearbox
'87 Tintop w 47k 53k, '12 SmallCar EJ25, cooled filtered gearbox
....KTMs, GasGas, SPOT mtb

[izzydog]

That's an excellent idea.

I ran my tank out of water once with an old plastic foot switch that I was using. Something in the cabinet must have rolled over on it, turned it on and drained my water tank via the sink. I didn't hear the pump running because I was driving.

Good thing I leave the sink drain open!

[jimf909]

[Sodo]

Camping in the van for 15 days,,,,, this was a great mod!

But I decided it was in the wrong place because if the cabined door is open
you cant get to the button with your knee.

Dang.

I was concerned that on the other side, that cargo in the van might push the button.
But after 15 days use, I'm sure the central location is better.
I can perhaps add a 2nd switch?
Maybe keep 2 switches, or plug the other hole with a stainless carriage bolt.
Or a Westy screw and grey plastic cap.
_________________


'90 Westy EJ25, 2Peloquins, 3knobs, pressure-oiled GT mainshaft, filtered, cooled gearbox
'87 Tintop w 47k 53k, '12 SmallCar EJ25, cooled filtered gearbox
....KTMs, GasGas, SPOT mtb

[SyncroHead]