KrazyKarl02
11-04-2008, 01:34 PM
I have a question about electrical switches. My question applies to boats, but I figure some of you might have some opinion or theory on this. I have an aluminum boat, recently I purchased a switch panel like this one:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/6-Switch-Gang-Panel-Fused-Marine-Bakelite-4-1-2-X-6-1-2_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trkparmsZ72Q3a1205Q7c39Q3a1Q7 c66Q3a2Q7c65Q3a12Q7c240Q3a1318QQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0 Q2em14QQhashZitem350106820130QQitemZ350106820130
The ad says marine switch panel, etc... So I figured it could handle damp environments. Well I have had the panel installed for about 6 months and used it a couple of times. I went to fix the bilge pump on the boat last night and none of the switches work. I took it apart, checked battery, wiring, etc... What I found was that every switch had corroded to the point where they no longer worked.
My question, is there a type of switch that is better suited for this? How can you tell, I mean this thing was supposed to be a "marine" switch panel. The terminals on the back are all craptacular now and it has only been used in fresh water???
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/6-Switch-Gang-Panel-Fused-Marine-Bakelite-4-1-2-X-6-1-2_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trkparmsZ72Q3a1205Q7c39Q3a1Q7 c66Q3a2Q7c65Q3a12Q7c240Q3a1318QQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0 Q2em14QQhashZitem350106820130QQitemZ350106820130
The ad says marine switch panel, etc... So I figured it could handle damp environments. Well I have had the panel installed for about 6 months and used it a couple of times. I went to fix the bilge pump on the boat last night and none of the switches work. I took it apart, checked battery, wiring, etc... What I found was that every switch had corroded to the point where they no longer worked.
My question, is there a type of switch that is better suited for this? How can you tell, I mean this thing was supposed to be a "marine" switch panel. The terminals on the back are all craptacular now and it has only been used in fresh water???