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Hidden Switch Ideas?

M

mpire

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 21, 2008
Messages
1,837
Location
Florida
I just finished the countertops and the sink but now I'm adding a garbage disposal. Do you have any creative ideas to add a switch to turn it on and off? I already finished the counters, so I can't put it in the top, but I was thinking of maybe a foot switch on the base board or something like that.

Everyone here seems really creative, so I think a regular 120v relay would be easy enough, I just need to come up with a creative way to put a switch on/in the cabinet or baseboard.
 
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D

dcg9381

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Joined
Jun 20, 2018
Messages
11,627
Location
Austin, TX
I just ran into this problem...
Couple of ways to do it.
  • Drill the counter and there are switches that are built for this on air-gap
  • Use a low profile switch under the cabinet
Here's what I did:

didikit Garbage Disposal Wireless Switch Kit, Sink Top Waste Disposal On/Off Switch Remote with 5s/10s Timer, Air Switch Replacement for Waste Food Disposer Up to 1HP, 16A/1800W, White - - Amazon.com

didikit Garbage Disposal Wireless Switch Kit, Sink Top Waste Disposal On/Off Switch Remote with 5s/10s Timer, Air Switch Replacement for Waste Food Disposer Up to 1HP, 16A/1800W, White - - Amazon.com
www.amazon.com
 
K

klassenl

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Joined
Feb 20, 2016
Messages
713
Location
Southern Alberta
I have seen them mounted in the cabinet under the sink. You have to open the door to flip the switch.

Those air switches are very nice.
 
D

ddawg16

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Joined
Jul 11, 2008
Messages
21,005
Location
S. California
rharman said:
"Alexa, run the disposal for 10 seconds..."

Actually, I guess you really could do this with a smart outlet.
Click to expand...

I can see it now

"Alexa" (husband was going to ask for music)

"What honey? You're trying to get a avocado seed out of the disposal? No, running the disposal for a few minutes will not chop up the seed"

"Sh!t! Are you ok? Can you still move your fingers?"
 
Y

yeldogt

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Joined
Jan 2, 2012
Messages
18,184
I typically install batch feed units in my sinks -- I like them. But, I also like deep sinks in kitchens with more then one sink and a batch feed is often too tall there .... the air switch is the way to go IMO. I'm into hiding things so I don't do wall outlets or switches along counters -- the air switches hold up as well. Have never had one fail
 
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A

AP514

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Joined
Jan 23, 2014
Messages
768
Location
Pearland, Tx
What ? ? I can not have a disposal with Septic... I Call BS on that :)
I bet they (Gov agencey) told you that you need Special Soap for your washing machine and dishwasher too...
I have had one with my Affluent Septic system for 17 years. No problems Noted

Live on the edge go ahead and install one (y)
 
P

PelicanPines

ALLIANCE MEMBER
Joined
Apr 30, 2014
Messages
38,104
Location
New Jersey, USA, Earth, My own reality
AP514 said:
What ? ? I can not have a disposal with Septic... I Call BS on that :)
I bet they (Gov agencey) told you that you need Special Soap for your washing machine and dishwasher too...
I have had one with my Affluent Septic system for 17 years. No problems Noted

Live on the edge go ahead and install one (y)
Click to expand...
It's common knowledge... sorry I burst your bubble. It has NOTHING to do with soap... it has to do with food and grease/oil. None of which will work with the complex chemical reaction that must occur in your poop tank.

If you have an extra $25,000 to re-dig a new field and tank location every 10 or so years... go ahead and use one... pour your bacon grease down the toilet/sink and spend your money and ruin your land.
 
D

dcg9381

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Joined
Jun 20, 2018
Messages
11,627
Location
Austin, TX
We had a disposal on our last pump-based septic system, used for more than 10 years with no issues. We just finished a conventional septic system (new house). We may or may not have more than 1 disposal. :)

IMHO, "no disposal" is probably good advice. A disposal is going to add solids to a tank that will likely need to be pumped out sooner than you'd otherwise need to do if you were not using a disposal frequently. I don't think it's going to ruin anything. Having pumped had a tank pumped, it's all the stuff that you don't know that is being flushed down your toilet is a lot more impactful than ground up food.

You do want to make sure you're not chopping up non-biodegradable stuff.

Obviously adding grease/oil to a septic system (in any quantity) is bad news.
 
R

rburke65

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Joined
Nov 10, 2007
Messages
12,349
Location
Canfield, Ohio
We have a septic system and 2 disposals, but very little food garbage does into the disposals. Compost it or out with the trash
 
E

engineer2

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Joined
Dec 13, 2009
Messages
11,795
Location
Chicago burbs
Little bits of debris only in the disposal! If you are using your disposal as a garbage can, expect plumbing problems.

You could get a tilt-out kit for the sink cabinet upper panel and hide a switch in there. Since it is a wet area, the install should be GFCI and water proof. I've also seen older houses with a toggle switch in a discrete location.
 
E

egdede

ALLIANCE MEMBER
Joined
Dec 20, 2009
Messages
2,063
^^^ That's how I did mine 5 years ago. Top switch controls the kitchen sink lighting, and the bottom the disposal. That was fancy set up in the 50's with many people having a light switch under the sink.
 
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