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Nick83 Samba Member
Joined: July 10, 2018 Posts: 63 Location: Seattle, WA
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Posted: Fri Oct 19, 2018 2:17 am Post subject: Accessory Switch options |
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Does anyone have recommendations for accessory switches that are relatively well built, blend in well with the Vanagon interior and come in a variety of throws/poles/mechanisms?
I'd want the majority of my switches to have a similar look and be clearly labeled.
It seems like this style of switch comes in the widest variety of options and labels, but style wise I'm not a fan of the huge switches and LED lighting.
I'm leaning towards simple toggle switches in this style, but I can't seem to find a good source of custom label plates.
There's a few places that'll laser print a simple label rings:
but I've yet to find one that can create 3-way switch labels, use icons, or can name the switch as well as its positions (e.g. 'Cabin Lights' 'On/Off'):
Some of the switches I need include:
Courtesy Lights - On/Off/On (Door)
Power Windows - On (Up)/Off/On (Down) Momentary
Heated Seats - High/Low/Off (4 wire)
Stereo - On/Off (Auto; Key-In power overrides Off)
Voltmeter Gauges (DPST On/Off - to prevent battery drain)
Reading Light (On/Off with dimmer)
Any recommendations? |
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djkeev Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007 Posts: 32433 Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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Stuartzickefoose Samba Post Whore
Joined: February 07, 2008 Posts: 10350 Location: SoCal for now...
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Posted: Fri Oct 19, 2018 6:41 am Post subject: Re: Accessory Switch options |
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djkeev wrote: |
You are going in an interesting direction, one not many of us have gone.
Most often when auxiliary switches are needed, we repurpose rear window defogger switches or similar.
I used clear P-Touch label tape with white letters to label the repurposed switch, it looks almost factory.
Dave |
Mind posting a pic or two for reference sake? I’d like to see why you mean on the labeling _________________ Stuart Zickefoose
2011 Jetta Sportwagen TDi 6 speed manual
206-841-7324
[email protected] |
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djkeev Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007 Posts: 32433 Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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Silverghost500 Samba Member
Joined: August 01, 2018 Posts: 1069 Location: Atlanta, GA
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Posted: Fri Oct 19, 2018 7:49 am Post subject: Re: Accessory Switch options |
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Are you planning on having them mounted on the dash area or in the Westy cabinetry? The previous owner put in a toggle switch panel and I didn't feel it was too safe. I ordered this one from Amazon and put it in it's place. It fits in on the side of the cabinet.
_________________ 1986 Volkswagen Vanagon Westfalia "Von Westy"
Honda K24A converversion in-progress
3-Speed Automatic
Von Westy YouTube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbhyZYxJEQrUuLnMbLleeIA |
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Nick83 Samba Member
Joined: July 10, 2018 Posts: 63 Location: Seattle, WA
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Posted: Fri Oct 19, 2018 7:55 am Post subject: Re: Accessory Switch options |
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djkeev wrote: |
You are going in an interesting direction, one not many of us have gone.
Most often when auxiliary switches are needed, we repurpose rear window defogger switches or similar.
Dave |
I wish I could, but I'm betting I cant get 8 of them in the dash alone
The heated seats and windows both came with switches, I just hate to clutter my new dash with with an assortment of round and square switches. I'm thinking maybe I could fit a row of similar switches along the top of the lower air box/heater vent cover. |
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[email protected] Samba Member
Joined: April 29, 2015 Posts: 704 Location: Berkeley Ca
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Posted: Fri Oct 19, 2018 8:03 am Post subject: Re: Accessory Switch options |
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Nick83 wrote: |
djkeev wrote: |
You are going in an interesting direction, one not many of us have gone.
Most often when auxiliary switches are needed, we repurpose rear window defogger switches or similar.
Dave |
I wish I could, but I'm betting I cant get 8 of them in the dash alone
The heated seats and windows both came with switches, I just hate to clutter my new dash with with an assortment of round and square switches. I'm thinking maybe I could fit a row of similar switches along the top of the lower air box/heater vent cover. |
This seems to work. Look to the end of the page. If you got some time read the whole post. Very nice build. I think you'll like the color.
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...;start=560 |
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Nick83 Samba Member
Joined: July 10, 2018 Posts: 63 Location: Seattle, WA
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Posted: Fri Oct 19, 2018 8:10 am Post subject: Re: Accessory Switch options |
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Silverghost500 wrote: |
Are you planning on having them mounted on the dash area or in the Westy cabinetry? The previous owner put in a toggle switch panel and I didn't feel it was too safe. I ordered this one from Amazon and put it in it's place. It fits in on the side of the cabinet.
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That does fit shockingly well!
As I said above, 8 switches in the dash: L & R Windows, L & R Seat heaters, Two light switches for this mod, Stereo power and voltmeter gauge power.
Then in the rear, two light switches (above mod), which would be best near the door/hatch. Otherwise I'm considering adding switches for the fan, fridge, and propex to either the stove faceplate or where you added that panel. They don't have to look anything like the dash switches as long as they look good. I'd probably have to make my own faceplate, since I don't want to totally block that vent with the fridge/propex in the cabinet. |
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Nick83 Samba Member
Joined: July 10, 2018 Posts: 63 Location: Seattle, WA
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Posted: Fri Oct 19, 2018 8:23 am Post subject: Re: Accessory Switch options |
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Haha, you're right I do... I'm surprised I didn't find that build while looking for photos of green paint jobs a while back. I might have to steal that gauge cluster mod from them.
Switch wise, I like it, though I'd probably go non-lighted for the aux powered stuff. Of course, just to complicate things, I'm installing the Small Car Performance AC system, and their faceplate occupies that space and then some.
I'm actually thinking the lower lip of the dash, not the heater trim, might be a good location for a row of toggles. |
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OddN Samba Member
Joined: August 19, 2010 Posts: 690 Location: Northern Norway
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Posted: Fri Oct 19, 2018 8:59 am Post subject: Re: Accessory Switch options |
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Nick83 wrote: |
djkeev wrote: |
You are going in an interesting direction, one not many of us have gone.
Most often when auxiliary switches are needed, we repurpose rear window defogger switches or similar.
Dave |
I wish I could, but I'm betting I cant get 8 of them in the dash alone
The heated seats and windows both came with switches, I just hate to clutter my new dash with with an assortment of round and square switches. I'm thinking maybe I could fit a row of similar switches along the top of the lower air box/heater vent cover. |
Why dont you use original power window switches in the doors?
You can also find many different switches from other VW/Audi cars from that same period in a similar design as original Vanagon switches.
And this is what I have done when I installed heated Recaro seats. I took the switch from a mid 80's Audi 100 (thats a 5000 in the US I think). They have a dual seat heater switch quite similar to the original Vanagon drivers only seat heater switch.
And for the passenger to be able to reach it I mounted it next to the radio, in a frame from an early Vanagon fader control.
Vanagon seat heater (drivers seat only):
Audi dual switch in Vanagon dash:
_________________ 1991 VW Multivan syncro 1,9 TD |
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Nick83 Samba Member
Joined: July 10, 2018 Posts: 63 Location: Seattle, WA
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Posted: Fri Oct 19, 2018 9:14 am Post subject: Re: Accessory Switch options |
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OddN wrote: |
Why dont you use original power window switches in the doors?
You can also find many different switches from other VW/Audi cars from that same period in a similar design as original Vanagon switches. |
I've got the GoWesty manual to power conversion windows, so there weren't original switches. I'd put them in the door anyway except the only feasible stock location is in a bad place for the panel design.
I do like the heated seat dials though... I'll have to look into those. |
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OddN Samba Member
Joined: August 19, 2010 Posts: 690 Location: Northern Norway
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termuehlen Samba Member
Joined: May 02, 2012 Posts: 986 Location: Redwood City
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