DC Switches

I strained my shoulder yesterday hence no post. 

When pressed the switches in the canbus DC power distribution system merely send a pulse of electricity as a signal to the node. Unlike a conventional on/off switch the canbus switch has a ‘momentary action’. Essentially, they have a bell press mechanism. The advantage is that as they carry no load the wiring can be very light.  Data cable will do! For switches, I looked at a number of European manufacturers specialising in canbus systems.  Unfortunately all of them seemed very expensive. Then I realised the major Australian manufacturer of AC switches and sockets was located in our home city. A quick check of the Clipsal website showed they had an propriety AC canbus system named “C-Bus”. After looking at their ‘Saturn’ range of switches we decided we liked the ‘Ocean Mist’ faceplates with the LED backlight switches.

The problem was the LED’s were 240v AC and we would have a 12v DC system. The switch mechanism would work but the LED would not illuminate using 12v. Could I disassemble the switch and convert it to 12v DC.  The local distributor was able to sell me one switch which I disassembled. The short answers is “Yes”! I pulled the switch apart and replace the existing LED and printed circuit board with a small LED and resistor. The switch comes with a warm blue light which I can replicate. However I can also fit another coloured LED inside the switch if desired. So I’ve decided the light switches will have a blue LED and all other switch will have a red LED. The LED is activated when the switch is pressed on.

My first effort resulted in too much illumination leading to ‘bleeding’ around the button

A second attempt achieved a better result

All I now have to do is disassemble and modify another 32 switches!