You want how much for a switch?!

[Braeden108]

I was wandering around digikey and I saw a switch that looked a lot like the master arm switch in the A-10. I'd've bought 10 immediately but I don't have $2,335.34

 

!?!?!?!?!?!?!??!?!?!?!??!!?!?!??!?!?!?!?!??!?!?!

 

http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/honeywell-sensing-and-productivity-solutions/104TL2-12A/480-3372-ND/2507240

[McG]

That's the sort of price bracket that mil spec and aerospace switches fall into.

Some will be cheaper, others dearer.

[KLR Rico]

Yeah, that's pretty typical.

 

I'm aircraft maintenance in the USAF; I always like to see the price for the parts because it's just crazy how much even the seemingly simple, throwaway parts cost.

[JG14_Smil]

A couple years ago when we were building our Ka-50 pits, someone found the cockpit lights from a Ka-50 as surplus. I knew better, but was asked to inquire about the price. I think they were "$500 a piece, How many would you like?". I just laughed. Myself, I am not that into high-fidelity, and I generally just knock things together. Takes all kinds though, and I enjoy seeing all the great pits.

[hegykc]

Digikey also sels plain on-off toggles like the ones on the TM Warthog for 5$, when they are 0.50$ from china. Mini stuff like tactile pushbuttons, basic crimps and connectors for 0.5$ when they are 0.02$ from china. That's 10-20 times more expensive. Because they offer 1 piece minimum quantity.

 

So I guess the switch costs much less if you order 1.000+ from the manufacturer, and the military gets it for a few $$$ when they order 100.000 units. Which is not that bad since the switches need to be dust proof, moisture proof, temperature proof etc... And you don't need that even if you want to be 100% realistic in your simpit. What do you care if your 0.50$ toggle switch would freeze up in case of canopy failure at 30.000 feet? Or would short out in case of defog failure and moisture build up? You just need it to look the part and function like the real one.

Edited August 20, 2016 by hegykc

[gavagai]

Yeah, that's pretty typical.

 

I'm aircraft maintenance in the USAF; I always like to see the price for the parts because it's just crazy how much even the seemingly simple, throwaway parts cost.

 

That was my first thought. Only the government would pay that much...

[Braeden108]

Digikey also sels plain on-off toggles like the ones on the TM Warthog for 5$, when they are 0.50$ from china. Mini stuff like tactile pushbuttons, basic crimps and connectors for 0.5$ when they are 0.02$ from china. That's 10-20 times more expensive. Because they offer 1 piece minimum quantity.

 

So I guess the switch costs much less if you order 1.000+ from the manufacturer, and the military gets it for a few $$$ when they order 100.000 units. Which is not that bad since the switches need to be dust proof, moisture proof, temperature proof etc... And you don't need that even if you want to be 100% realistic in your simpit. What do you care if your 0.50$ toggle switch would freeze up in case of canopy failure at 30.000 feet? Or would short out in case of defog failure and moisture build up? You just need it to look the part and function like the real one.

 

 

Yeah I figured it was so expensive because it works 100% of the time. Also notice that its a multi pole switch so they can have redundant wiring.

[Sokol1_br]

Looks similar and cost 10 times less:

 

http://spemco.com/8536k91e-environmentally-sealed-locking-toggle-solder-terminals/

 

Or buy a more generic and 3D print a cap imitating the A-10.

 

http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/nkk-switches/M2013LL1W01/360-1809-ND/1006888

 

Both lock in position.

[Deadman]

Guys if your looking to build a realistic pit and want the extra tactile feel. there are places to get your Mils spec switch much cheaper than Digikey. Check my list of switch part number I just reworked the AHCP section and do some searching and you will find deals that make having real mil spec switch affordable and you can't beat the feel of a real switch.

http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?p=2671577#post2671577

Edited August 20, 2016 by Deadman

[KLR Rico]

Yeah I figured it was so expensive because it works 100% of the time. Also notice that its a multi pole switch so they can have redundant wiring.

 

Funny thing is that they don't even work 100% of the time; switches go bad fairly frequently. I've dissected a few, and for the most part they're constructed the same as a "regular" switch.

 

I think the cost comes from all the regulation and specifications that the manufacturer has to deal with. A machinist I know that did some government contracts said the stuff is so expensive because the government will order 100 hammers, but want vibration analysis performed, the head hardness specified a certain way, 20 of them destructively tested, etc. It's easy to see where the extra costs come from, but whenever I change a $20K valve, I can't help but think I'm in the wrong business.

[FSFIan]

There will also be a significant difference in price for otherwise identical switches depending on whether the manufacturer guarantees that a switch will survive for some tens of thousands or a million switching cycles.