rebuild Carling rocker switches?

[Retiredblade]

Anyone ever try to change the light bulb in a Carling rocker switch? That's what is in my Islander and the bulb in the battery boost switch is burnt out. They are anywhere from $20-$30 a switch, depending who is selling them. I E mailed Carling and they said if a bulb burns out you have to replace the switch, but I figure, if someone put the bulb in there, it can be fixed but don't know the proper way to pop off the rocker front.

[She and I]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Retiredblade Anyone ever try to change the light bulb in a Carling rocker switch? That's what is in my Islander and the bulb in the battery boost switch is burnt out. They are anywhere from $20-$30 a switch, depending who is selling them. I E mailed Carling and they said if a bulb burns out you have to replace the switch, but I figure, if someone put the bulb in there, it can be fixed but don't know the proper way to pop off the rocker front.

Hi Retiredblade, The rocker switches are heated together, There are some on e-bay for $4.00 free shipping
Richard

[Retiredblade]

Thanks, there are a whole lot for sale on Ebay, but I found one battery booster switch and he wants $29.00 plus shipping! Forget it, I can deal with a burnt out bulb at that price!

[keninvic]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Retiredblade Thanks, there are a whole lot for sale on Ebay, but I found one battery booster switch and he wants $29.00 plus shipping! Forget it, I can deal with a burnt out bulb at that price!

Thats still cheaper that what my wife pays to have her nails painted.. lol

[tims52ford]

Install a small pilot light next to your switch.

[rebelone]

I put in the bulbs from radio shack about $1 each. If I remember the switch cover is pressed on you can pop it off. you have to make sure all parts inside stay in place. I had an old switch that I used to check out the proper bulb placement. Wires just lay in side no solder is used. I did buy some new ones from a company that is in the USA. I think it was caller RV warehouse? They stock many kinds at a very low price. 3 or 4 dollars each.
Rebel

[rebelone]

If you are still looking for a switch? the Company that sell them is Northwest RV Supply Eugene OR 97405

[Retiredblade]

Quote:

Originally Posted by rebelone I put in the bulbs from radio shack about $1 each. If I remember the switch cover is pressed on you can pop it off. you have to make sure all parts inside stay in place. I had an old switch that I used to check out the proper bulb placement. Wires just lay in side no solder is used. I did buy some new ones from a company that is in the USA. I think it was caller RV warehouse? They stock many kinds at a very low price. 3 or 4 dollars each. Rebel

I knew it could be done, I did contact NW rv, expect to hear from them again the first of next week.

[Joe & Bonnie]

I rebuilt my entry step switch using a white LED from Radio Shack instead of a light bulb. A bit tricky with trying to tack solder wires. I found you have to use the old light bulb's wire as it is run on small troughs inside the switch housing and under springs that make contact with the bulb wire and the backside terminals.
The rocker on the switch simply pops off but is prone to breakage if not done using Carling's supplied tool.

[garymkrieg]

Here is information from a legend over at TiffinRVNetwork.com forum, CruisinGator: http://tiffinrvnetwork.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=161&t=35304. Look for Number 14 - FYI - Disassembly & Reassembly of a Carling Technologies Switch. I think it may help.

Gary

[Retiredblade]

Quote:

Originally Posted by garymkrieg Here is information from a legend over at TiffinRVNetwork.com forum, CruisinGator: http://tiffinrvnetwork.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=161&t=35304. Look for Number 14 - FYI - Disassembly & Reassembly of a Carling Technologies Switch. I think it may help. Gary

Can't do anything with that site.

[rpasetto]

Quote:

Originally Posted by garymkrieg Here is information from a legend over at TiffinRVNetwork.com forum, CruisinGator: http://tiffinrvnetwork.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=161&t=35304. Look for Number 14 - FYI - Disassembly & Reassembly of a Carling Technologies Switch. I think it may help. Gary

Can you re-post the info here? Seems the forum is closed to all but Tiffin owners.

[mahon1993]

Try this company for switches and all sorts of 12 volt electrical supplies.
www.wirelm.com
Greg

[Dr4Film]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Retiredblade Anyone ever try to change the light bulb in a Carling rocker switch? That's what is in my Islander and the bulb in the battery boost switch is burnt out. They are anywhere from $20-$30 a switch, depending who is selling them. I E mailed Carling and they said if a bulb burns out you have to replace the switch, but I figure, if someone put the bulb in there, it can be fixed but don't know the proper way to pop off the rocker front.

I have rebuilt a few of them. Usually the ones that turn my Aqua-Hot on and off as the pilot bulb burns 24/7 as that switch is always on.

The cover needs to be removed very carefully, otherwise you will be in deep dodo. A small jewelers screwdriver works well to pop off the rocker cover. Once that is done, using the same small tool, remove the top by prying off the ends. Take it slow as you need to observe where everything is inside so you can reassemble it the same way. The burned out incandescent bulb simply pops out when you pry out the two leads from the channels they lay in. Buy a package of white 5-6 VDC LED bulbs from a supplier. You will also need to purchase some resistors to lower the voltage/current to the LED because using 12 VDC power will burn out the LED prematurely. Reassemble everything EXACTLY as you found it and snap the top back on. Remount the switch back into the switch panel and connect the wires then snap the rocker cover back onto the switch.

Each Carling's Technology switch will have a code listed on the side. My Aqua-Hot uses a V1D1 switch which is simply an ON/OFF with a pilot light at the top. The rocker covers will snap onto any Carling's Technology switch providing that you don't break the little tabs on each side attempting to remove it.

I don't have any photos but will take some the very next time I have to work on a Carling's Technology switch to document the process.

Dr4Film ----- Richard