Is there a good way to test a switch, rather than waiting for it to get intermittent or bad (and face the inevitable [X(]), or just discarding it after a specific period of use ? Thx for the inputs.........

Sorry! I don't trust any of the rx switches these days, even new.

Cut em out and replace with a 5 pin shorting plug and socket...the cost of the slide switch that the manufacturer uses is only in the range of about 40 to 50 cents if bought in volume. An that is all it's worth in reliability. IMHO they don't belong in a guided (R/C) missile (Aircraft)

That's my story and I'm stickin to it.

You know, I've heard a lot about switches going bad and causing airplanes to crash but I swear I've never had one go bad yet. I'm not saying it can't happen, just hasn't to me yet. Maybe I'm just on a lucky streak.
As far as I know there is no accurate way to test your switches for failure probability. If I were worried about it I would replace it with a good double pole single throw toggle switch.

What keeps the shorting plug secured into the socket in flight? Doesn't vibration make it try to come loose?

I've posted this before and have not gotten any response, but has anyone used the Super Rocker switch? It looks and touts itself as being pretty beefy. Rick's Heli among others, I'm sure, sell it.

Doug in Denver,

What is a 5 pin shorting plug?

I like to use MPI's heavy duty switch. They cost $15.00 and they are built better than the ones you get with your radio system. I've also heard that if these switches should ever fail, they would always fail in the on postion (closed circuit) not in the (open circuit) position. Just my 2 cents

Gunny.

Why not consider a FAILSAFE ON switch... These units work know matter what, as long as their plugged in... OR I like the failsafe on regulators even better. Even if the switch wire connection to the regulator is lost it works, your ON... Together with HD wire and connectors these things are tough to beat...

http://www.smart-fly.com/page6.html

http://www.smart-fly.com/page5.html

http://www.fromeco.org/Reliaswitches.htm

Hi, Jim!

I use the rubber cap from the socket and put it on the shorting plug side then cover it with the pilots seat or inside a compartment with a hinged hatch that compresses the rubber cap to about 33 percent of the height. Or even a desk lock keeper keeps it under control or a bit of firm foam will surfice.
Though I've never had one come loose from even the big gassers or the high rpms of a tuned pipe .40 through .90's in ducted fans.

Or you could use the 5th position (the center pin) Thread the socket there 4/40 then run a
screw through the plug into the socket...course am not worried about it as it takes a good deal of force to remove the plug.

If you try one, I think you will agree there is not much chance of one coming loose in that situation.

You'll find em on auto tape, disc players and audio amps...normaly handle 12vdc pwr + & - along with the speaker wires... I get mine from rat shack or from some auto supply stores also from electronic suppy houses..and a lot cheaper than the (ahem) wouldbe failsafe high priced versions of the same old cheapie slides available now a days.

As far as rocker and toggle switches....take one apart and look.. you'll find a small phospher bronze strip that functions like a tetertoter and flipflops back and forth..
Now just heat one up one time..that's all it takes to re-temper the phospher bronze metal to a different shape than the engineer designed it to be.

Instant Failure is Assured!
LOL if your using one of those. If you are then at least get Mil-Spec. quality for goodness sake.

Can you post a pic(s) of your switch setup ?

Is it so hard to plug it in and unplug it at the end of flight that you're willing to let your setup reliability in flight be compromised by a switch? The first rule of engineering, WHY are we doing this? Simplicity? Well hell; If it blows up in the air because of simplicity, I'm all for doing the extra bit of work! Keep it simple stupid, if you don't need it, don't use it.

Sure! will post some here today, will need to get the pictures taken.
Will be in a couple of hours or so though..

Sorry bout the wait....
My new supply of 6 volt regulators should be in this week (?) so will be wiring them right into the Shorting Plug (under the rubber covers and potting them in with epoxy) might even wire in a set of voltage indicators just for fun. DinD