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Old 7th Aug 2020, 9:21 am   #1
SiriusHardware
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Default Thurlby-Thandar PSU switches?

I have a Thandar PSU here, specifically a TS3022S on which the front panel 'blade' toggle switches have gone rather unreliable.

Is anyone aware of an exact-substitute modern switch, either with the same blade type toggle lever or in rocker switch form similar to the ones used for the 'damping' function on these PSUs? Functionality and fit are more important than form, although visually exact replacements would be nice.

I'd also be interested in similar info for a replacement 'wide' blade switch of the type commonly used for the mains on/off switch on older Thurlby-Thandar PSUs.
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Old 7th Aug 2020, 10:22 am   #2
duncanlowe
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Default Re: Thurlby-Thandar PSU switches?

Looking in RS there are some candidates, especially the ones from Marquardt. The toggles look similar but not identical but maybe the fitting is the same.
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Old 7th Aug 2020, 11:11 am   #3
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Default Re: Thurlby-Thandar PSU switches?

Thanks Duncan, I will take a look at those.

If they are the right physical fit and switch / pole arrangement I don't mind replacing all of them to maintain a uniform appearance, but I don't really want have to start filing the front panel holes out.
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Old 7th Aug 2020, 12:21 pm   #4
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Default Re: Thurlby-Thandar PSU switches?

I have it apart now - there is an awkward complication, there is a PCB running along behind the switches and output terminals and the back end of the switches is soldered through-hole into the PCB.

So now, not only does the switch ideally have to look the same and fit into the original cutout, but the pin layout and the height of the switch body also need to be identical.

The original switches are branded 'Carlingswitch'.
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Old 7th Aug 2020, 8:30 pm   #5
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Default Re: Thurlby-Thandar PSU switches?

Have you tried TTI direct?

I have found them extremly helpful in supplyng parts for these PSU's in the past, and a freindly e-mail asking for availability might get you exactly what you want.
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Old 8th Aug 2020, 1:33 pm   #6
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Default Re: Thurlby-Thandar PSU switches?

I agree, I have managed to obtain switches for Thandar equipment from Thandar in the past, just thought it might be possible to obtain them from mainstream suppliers first.

I emailed Aim-TTi as they now style themselves late on Friday, I won't expect to hear back from them until Monday at the earliest now. I'll come back here with any useful information arising from that.
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Old 11th Aug 2020, 12:30 pm   #7
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Default Re: Thurlby-Thandar PSU switches?

No reply from them via email so I called them and was put through to a gent who was as helpful as he could be which was unfortunately not much - no remaining stocks held and no entry for them on the stock system any more so he wasn't able to cross reference a manuafcturer's part number.

I'm back to trying to find something physically similar - will let you know if I come up with anything.
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Old 11th Aug 2020, 12:48 pm   #8
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Default Re: Thurlby-Thandar PSU switches?

Spoke too soon! Just got an email from TTi saying that although the switches used in this TS3022S are unobtainable, they have stocks of a slightly different switch which was used in them from 1991-on.

Pretty expensive at £11+ each, but not as expensive as throwing away an otherwise decent power supply. The unit is in good condition so I would rather fit the right switch than bodge something in.

There are three identical switches, one used as mains on / off and the other two for the left DC and right DC output. The one which has failed is the right channel DC on / off switch - given that the replacements are expensive and don't quite look the same, I'll probably move what is currently the mains switch to the right DC channel and fit the new (slightly different) switch as the mains switch.
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Old 11th Aug 2020, 2:07 pm   #9
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Default Re: Thurlby-Thandar PSU switches?

Are these designed for pcb mount with a plain pin, maybe round?
Or do they have flat "pins" with holes for wires to be fixed into, like on an ordinary panel?
Are they held by plastic sprung tabs, or metal tabs?
Let me know and I will see what I have.
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Old 11th Aug 2020, 3:41 pm   #10
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Default Re: Thurlby-Thandar PSU switches?

For information, they are through-hole with narrow 'pins' rather than broad, flat solder tags. The bodies are plastic and the panel 'locks' are part of the plastic body, as they usually are on rocker switches.

These are a little bit unusual in so far as they are 6-pin (two sections) but in a fairly narrow form factor. The plastic body also includes an integral frame / bezel which stops the switch from falling inside the unit.

I appreciate your kind offer to have a look for something but since TTi have gone out of their way to be helpful I think I ought to follow through and buy a switch from them. If they'd only been, say, £2.50 each I would have replaced all three with a matched set.
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Old 11th Aug 2020, 9:03 pm   #11
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Default Re: Thurlby-Thandar PSU switches?

Ok. Mine is spdt and has wider tabs.
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Old 11th Aug 2020, 9:27 pm   #12
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Default Re: Thurlby-Thandar PSU switches?

Quote:
Originally Posted by SiriusHardware View Post
... given that the replacements are expensive and don't quite look the same, I'll probably move what is currently the mains switch to the right DC channel and fit the new (slightly different) switch as the mains switch.
If the new switch is from the same manufacturer and from the same series, then you may be able to prise the paddle top off the old switch and fit it to the new one. I did that when I replaced the mains paddle switch on a Thurlby PL330 power supply with a Carling rocker switch. Apart from the paddle, the switches were identical.
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Old 11th Aug 2020, 9:46 pm   #13
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Default Re: Thurlby-Thandar PSU switches?

I think the new switch may not even be a Carling, but that's a good idea which I will look into. The problem is that the original switch has failed in some physical way which may include damage to the lever / actuator (it will not move) so it might not be possible to do that.
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