Best Switch Style?

[l008com]

One of these days, I'm going to put some fresh LED lights on my kart. I'm going to do a nice white spotlight as a headlight, a nice red tail light, and then maybe another spotlight on the back pointing backwards.

So three lights on three switches. I'm wondering what are some good switches to use? I'll be mounting them on the little small panel on the steering column.

When I upgraded the lights on my snow blower, I used a simple metal toggle switch. Super easy to install but kinda ugly and kinda... meh.
Then I had the idea of using marine toggle switches. Those would be really nice. But then I'm afraid that with how much this no-suspension kart bounces around so much that I'd be afraid that the switches would constantly be getting accidentally switches on and off.

The metal toggle switches are super easy to install, which would a bonus.
But I'm looking at those 3-switch little mini marine panels and they look so nice

 

[ezcome-ezgo]

This is pretty cool:

JEGS 11018: 3-Toggle Panel with Red LED Switches Black Carbon Fiber Vinyl Finish - JEGS

BLK CARBON 3 RED LED PANL

www.jegs.com

 

[Master Hack]

I used a simple metal toggle switch.

Just a little triva....
Those are called bat handle switches. the handle looks like a tiny baseball bat.
You're welcome....

 

[Rat]

One of these days, I'm going to put some fresh LED lights on my kart. I'm going to do a nice white spotlight as a headlight, a nice red tail light, and then maybe another spotlight on the back pointing backwards.

So three lights on three switches. I'm wondering what are some good switches to use? I'll be mounting them on the little small panel on the steering column.

When I upgraded the lights on my snow blower, I used a simple metal toggle switch. Super easy to install but kinda ugly and kinda... meh.
Then I had the idea of using marine toggle switches. Those would be really nice. But then I'm afraid that with how much this no-suspension kart bounces around so much that I'd be afraid that the switches would constantly be getting accidentally switches on and off.

The metal toggle switches are super easy to install, which would a bonus.
But I'm looking at those 3-switch little mini marine panels and they look so nice

You could mount most toggles through a paint can and stick it in a mixer and even at that rate of shook to sh*t they aren't going to turn themselves on/off the cheapest of them may explode though lol...you're way over thinking it.

Flush mount rocker toggles are a cleaner look but do require a bit more work best done with a dremel tool to mount

 

[l008com]

You could mount most toggles through a paint can and stick it in a mixer and even at that rate of shook to sh*t they aren't going to turn themselves on/off the cheapest of them may explode though lol...you're way over thinking it.

Flush mount rocker toggles are a cleaner look but do require a bit more work best done with a dremel tool to mount

My concern with the accidental switching was with the flush mount switches. They don't seem as stiff as the "bat handle" switches. And they are going to be harder to install. But they'd look cooler.

 

[Denny]

Use the best waterproof switch you can find. Boats get bounced around more than gokarts! (Hint Hint)

 

[l008com]

I own a boat and I can assure you even in open ocean, my go kart (no suspension) gets bounced around WAY more than my boat does.

That said, maybe I'll go to the marine store and play around with the switches. They probably have a wall with both styles of switch mounted.

 

[l008com]

ALSO if I'm going to do a wiring project, is it worthwhile to put an ignition switch on the "dashboard"? This kart did come with an ignition/kill switch on the steering wheel but that was long since been removed. It also has an on off switch on the motor that i can reach pretty easily even from the drivers seat so I always just use that.

 

[Rat]

My concern with the accidental switching was with the flush mount switches. They don't seem as stiff as the "bat handle" switches. And they are going to be harder to install. But they'd look cooler.

I'd go "marine" switches either way, I mean they are going to be exposed to UV and some degree of weather elements. The marine rated ones are typically more suitable for that than say general automotive toggles... dielectric grease on contacts goes a long way to prevent moisture and corrosion issues as well.

 

[Denny]

The open ocean doesn’t have anything on Lake Michigan!

 

[Rat]

ALSO if I'm going to do a wiring project, is it worthwhile to put an ignition switch on the "dashboard"? This kart did come with an ignition/kill switch on the steering wheel but that was long since been removed. It also has an on off switch on the motor that i can reach pretty easily even from the drivers seat so I always just use that.

That's a matter of preference and to a certain degree security.
I have a key switch on my bike build, but it's just a generic single polarity 3 position one so it doesn't do shutdown (Off, Acc, Start) but that's mostly because I didn't want something so easily screwdriver started like litteraly every single riding lawnmower keyswitch can be.

That one was originally built in NY so it had an alarm module with shock sensor as well. I was chasing down a a parasitic drain and removed it... turned out the battery was toast because it was underrated for the hell I put it through to begin with and I haven't bothered to put it back in.

 

[l008com]

I took a closer look today and I have even less space than I thought, so the marine style switches may be out just based on space. I think I'm going to have to go with the little toggle switches.

Regarding shutoff, I don't think security is a huge issue. Granted right now it literally just sits outback not locked up in any way. But EVENTUALLY I'm going to build that new shed I've been talking about buildling for 5 years now and the new shed is going to have two doors. The front door where the snowblower and lawnmower go, and a side door for the gokart.

The only reason I can think of having an ignition switch on the dashboard is if i'm somewhere I shouldn't be and I need to very quickly hide and be quiet. And as previously mentioned, I'm 43 years old. That ain't goona happen.

 

[Rat]

I took a closer look today and I have even less space than I thought, so the marine style switches may be out just based on space. I think I'm going to have to go with the little toggle switches.

Regarding shutoff, I don't think security is a huge issue. Granted right now it literally just sits outback not locked up in any way. But EVENTUALLY I'm going to build that new shed I've been talking about buildling for 5 years now and the new shed is going to have two doors. The front door where the snowblower and lawnmower go, and a side door for the gokart.

The only reason I can think of having an ignition switch on the dashboard is if i'm somewhere I shouldn't be and I need to very quickly hide and be quiet. And as previously mentioned, I'm 43 years old. That ain't goona happen.

I don't find age relevant but I do find the DMV note stating that bigger than 50cc or capable of 30mph + means is a motorcycle total BS and I absolutely ignore it without second thought or a single F★ck to give.

I mind my own business and don't intentionally bother anyone; I expect the same badged or not