Better Blast Gate Micro Switch

I have a big 2 HP dust collector in my studio. It is turned on/off by little micro switches on each blast gate. See red circle in above photo.

The micro switches are part of an old "Penn State Industries Long Ranger" system. The micro switches trigger a relay that triggers a magnetic motor starter.

Over time the micro switches have failed and given me trouble. I have replaced them with better micro switches that I have purchased from Digi-Key (www.digikey.com) part number LS0851506F045S1A-ND. The Digi-Key switches are bigger and more rugged.

Note: Penn State calls them "micro switches". They are also called "snap switches" or "snap action switches" or "limit switches".

New Micro Switch

This photo shows the new micro switch installed on a 4" blast gate.

The new switch is bigger and more rugged. It has a longer rocker arm thus it is harder to false trigger. And the little gray switch under the rocker arm is better. More rugged.

The OLD micro switch was unnecessary small in my not so humble opinion. Thus it was less rugged. Triggered to easily. Wore out to fast.

Install with 5 Minute Epoxy

Dorking around with the little screws in the old micro switch is to much pain for me. I install the new switch with 5 minute epoxy. See photo.

Scuff up the metal with course sand paper before gluing. Use a C clamp to hold the switch in place while gluing.

Any 5 minute epoxy will do. I like West System 5 minute epoxy. See my West System 5 Minute Epoxy blog entry.

Note: If I needed to replace a switch installed with epoxy. I would vise grips to twist off (remove and destroy) any switch installed with epoxy. Then clean up with a file and sandpaper.

You CAN NOT use the old screws in the new switch because the screw hole locations DO NOT match.