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Big Scary Switch for Garbage Disposal

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bwringer

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For no real reasons other than:

A) Normal switches are boring. :sad:

B) I keep mixing up the damn light switch and garbage disposal switch and getting GRARRARARARARARAAARARGGHHGHG when I just wanted a little light. And it's ******* me off. :shocking:

I'd like to install some sort of big scary weird industrial Frankenstein's laboratory apparatus for activating the GRARRARARARARARAAARARGGHHGHG. A giant push-pull switch or something like that would be cool.

Any ideas for something that would handle a small garbage disposal (less than 10 amps) and would fit in your regular ol' 2-gang box next to a light switch? I could cut a hole in a faceplate if something strange is needed.

I've perused McMaster-Carr for a while, but most of the push-button switches there are lower amperage for some reason. I'm not seeing anything interesting at the home stores.
 
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bczygan

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http://www.dueltek.com.au/products/garbage-disposal-switch

SW-30M-PTGD1_9945d739-34a4-46cf-b675-316ec48514c2_medium.jpeg


http://www.amazon.com/Mushroom-Emergency-Stop-Button-Switch/dp/B00FLZ739A

41JArFne2LL._SX342_.jpg


Bill
 
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gregtwojeeps

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032664579004lg.jpg
bwringer said:
For no real reasons other than:

A) Normal switches are boring. :sad:

B) I keep mixing up the damn light switch and garbage disposal switch and getting GRARRARARARARARAAARARGGHHGHG when I just wanted a little light. And it's ******* me off. :shocking:

I'd like to install some sort of big scary weird industrial Frankenstein's laboratory apparatus for activating the GRARRARARARARARAAARARGGHHGHG. A giant push-pull switch or something like that would be cool.

Any ideas for something that would handle a small garbage disposal (less than 10 amps) and would fit in your regular ol' 2-gang box next to a light switch? I could cut a hole in a faceplate if something strange is needed.

I've perused McMaster-Carr for a while, but most of the push-button switches there are lower amperage for some reason. I'm not seeing anything interesting at the home stores.
Click to expand...

Change out your toggle switch for the light to a rocker switch and put a 20 amp rated toggle switch in for your GD. The cover plate will be a GFCI outlet cover/toggle switch combo like in the above pic. OR... if you really want to make your home look goofy...put in this ....


783643335264lg.jpg
 
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Norcal

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N

Norcal

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gregtwojeeps said:
http://images.lowes.com/product/converted/032664/032664579004lg.jpg[IMG]

Change out your toggle switch for the light to a rocker switch and put a 20 amp rated toggle switch in for your GD. The cover plate will be a GFCI outlet cover/toggle switch combo like in the above pic. OR... if you really want to make your home look goofy...put in this ....


[IMG]http://images.lowes.com/product/converted/783643/783643335264lg.jpg
Click to expand...

Being a kitchen, the switch should be NEMA type 4X stainless steel. :bounce:
 
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bwringer

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dfiler2 said:
Like this?
Click to expand...

Yep, a knife switch would be da bomb, especially if we could arrange for sparks and a bit of flicker in the light over the sink... "looks like ol' Joe didn't get his pardon."

I did see an article once where a guy had wired up a room mad scientist style with exposed copper wires and knife switches everywhere. The secret was that the knife switches had hidden wireless modules underneath that activated the lights.
 
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bwringer

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RivennHewn said:
Why not an air switch?
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001DELK2Y/?tag=atomicindus08-20
Click to expand...

Wonder if I could turn that into a breathalyzer? Blow into a tube, and if you're sober the garbage disposal will start up.

Actually, better yet, mount a bicycle horn to the sink, and you have to honk the horn to turn it off and on. Now we're getting somewhere.

That button thing is just boring, but the air mechanism makes all sorts of stupid ideas practical...
 
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Shiftless

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After a couple of drinks, I'm now liking the exposed double pole knife switch idea that dfiler posted earlier, the best. To keep users from electrocuting themselves, just run low voltage through the switch and have that control a relay that does the job of turning on the disposer.
 
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Alan Douglas

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I realize this isn't nearly as much fun as an open knife switch, but I had a similar problem with my oil burner shutoff which is located in the cellar stairwell, and was sometimes mistaken for the light switch. A simple guard fixed that:
 

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thundermug

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https://scontent-ord1-1.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/11222683_791184738102_3537002559448997064_n.jpg?oh=42cb10b7358784bd1f5d8bc709125676&oe=56CF773B
 
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MTW

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Here's a few covers that could possibly remind you that the switch is for the disposal.

This one here is a genuine commercial disposal switch cover, good for a few generations in a residential setting.
5afxVBEE


Another commercial disposal cover
JXVXkOZw


A plain Jane reminder with lockout if you get buzzed and forget whats what.
EklewTIV


If you cook meth on the counter and need an explosion-proof variety.
1lGS9TpG


If you like lots of color and want a custom label.
RHPwaqtZ


If you just want to make it hard to touch the switch.
A74SFFxv


You want to require key access.
JybDvJfQ


ICk6ylY1


You like the stainless bling.
RpHrLUaa


6TLLFSly


Or you like the plastic look
4YYItLHa


jwbCae2i
 
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bwringer

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MTW said:
Here's a few covers that could possibly remind you that the switch is for the disposal.

Another commercial disposal cover
JXVXkOZw


If you cook meth on the counter and need an explosion-proof variety.
1lGS9TpG


If you like lots of color and want a custom label.
RHPwaqtZ
Click to expand...


Dang, I like those! :rocker:

Any sources? Google and Amazon aren't giving me too many results. The few I find that are close are nutso expensive.

The covered "launch missiles" type switches are fun, too, and pretty easy to find.


I'm seriously considering an air switch plumbed to a red rubber bulb sticking out of the wall. Honk to turn it on, honk again to turn off... seems a little silly, though.
 
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gregtwojeeps

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This thread is a good read and a rarity. A thread on a electrical forum that is laced with humor. Keep up the good work guys ! :thumbup:
 
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dfiler2

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You could always go the 'Steam Punk' route also.
 

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D

Dustball

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bwringer said:
Any ideas for something that would handle a small garbage disposal (less than 10 amps) and would fit in your regular ol' 2-gang box next to a light switch? I could cut a hole in a faceplate if something strange is needed.
Click to expand...

Having a 2-gang box makes it more difficult since you'd have to accomodate the second switch.

Here are some 3D printed switch covers to choose from but they're for single gang boxes- https://www.etsy.com/search?q=knife+switch+cover

Since they're all "homemade", perhaps you can get one of them to print one that would accommodate the normal second switch.
 
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MDSPHOTO

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Oz
Ours doesn't have a switch. Since both sinks are in islands we used the magnetic Insinkerators. We love 'em and it drives guests crazy as they try to figure out how to turn them on!
 
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Bigbandguy

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LED bulbs have gotten so cheap to operate why not leave one light on 24/7 and quit worrying about it. That would be much cheaper and a damn sight easier than most of the suggestions here !
 
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Shiftless

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Bigbandguy said:
LED bulbs have gotten so cheap to operate why not leave one light on 24/7 and quit worrying about it. That would be much cheaper and a damn sight easier than most of the suggestions here !
Click to expand...

Of course it would be easier and a LOT cheaper, but this is GJ and many times easier and cheaper are not considered at all when making decisions, right? :D
 
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Bigbandguy

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Shiftless said:
Of course it would be easier and a LOT cheaper, but this is GJ and many times easier and cheaper are not considered at all when making decisions, right? :D
Click to expand...

Dang ! (head slap self administered) Forgot where I was for a minute, thanks ! You are entirely correct. If you ask what time it is you might get an atomic clock delivered to your door !

One thing though... while complicated is appreciated, cheap is always good !
 
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