placing of switch

hi again guys,

thanks for all your advice/inputs so far.

another question:

where is a good place on a model to put the switch if you are incorporating working lights on the model.

I looked up, down, inside, crooks and crannies, i can't find a good location for the switch. i want some place where the switch is hidden yet accessible for switching on and off the lights.

thanks again

There are many many options. A lot, of course, depends on the type of switch you'r planning to use and on the model. I'd put the switch itself inside the model and devise some way of operating it. For example, you could push/pull (slightly!) the tow hook. Or turn one of the wheels. Or move one of the suspension parts. The gear lever if it's a convertible, or something under the hood if it has a detailed engine bay. Or a push-type switch under the opennable fuel filler door :D There are countless possibilities, some requiring more, some requiring less effort.

One possibility is to use a magnetic door switch, the kind used in alarm systems. They are small and very sensitve to magnetic fields. Then place a small magnet under your car to activate the lights.

Maybe it will work, maybe not, but what the heck, it's worth a try.

second solution is mounting model on display base and put switch somewhere on the base, that way you are not suposed to touch the car at all.

Model railroaders have been using reed switches for years to operate trackside accessories or to operate special effects on cars. A reed switch is a magnetically operated switch, and when a magnet passes over it the switch will move to the on position (frankly, I'm not sure if they are momentary switches or if you must pass a magnet over them again to turn them off). When I incorperate lights into a model (one of these days) I intend to use a reed switch, so I never have to touch the model and don't have any wires or switches sticking out. Aside from being able to change the batteries, the system would be totally enclosed and hidden.

opening doors? have the switch on the door striker. when the door is shut, lights are on. or run a wire to two of the wheels, and have small contacts on the bottom of the tires that contact electrical terminals on a special base. how about using a headphone jack in the gas door, and make a gas pump with your batteries in it so when you "fill 'er up" the lights will come on.

wow, there are as many ways to light up models as there are ways to cook chicken.

WOAHH!!!! so many possibilities. But they sound so complicated to do up.

Im a newbie, its my first time ever incorporating working lights. Which is the simplest yet sure-work method? But i'll definately try the other methods mentioned when i get better.

where can i get these reed swtiches? any particular online store you guys know of that carries these switches?

I don't know where you are, but RS Components carries them, or you can go to your local security store and get a magnetic door switch, open it and you will find the reed switch inside (and they are really cheap, for a change)

is RS components in Singapore?

i'm from Singapore, I don't know of any security shops or have i seen a magnetic door switch... =[

Hi there, RS Components does have a branch in Singapore.

The web address is: www.rssingapore.com (http://www.rssingapore.com)

Check these two part numbers: 229-3658, 229-3664. Ithink they will do the job just fine!