Surfriding "Surf Armor" bilge switch test subjects needed...

[OCD Solutions]

I am currently looking for a couple test subjects to receive free switches to punish so if you think you are hard on switches and nothing can stand up to your regime, post up your story in this thread and I may be able to change your luck. Pics of your nasty old switch couldn't hurt your case either...

I will run this offer for two weeks, review all the stories to narrow the field and then let you guys decide which two riders have the worst experiences or are the hardest on switches. I will then send them each a switch to punish with the hopes to prove that my switches are build to last.

 

[madscientist]

very nice boyer

 

[ryan]

hell i will just buy one. and let you know.

 

[OCD Solutions]

hell i will just buy one. and let you know.

Lol, you can do that to. Send $45 to ocdsolutions88@gmail.com and I will get it in the mail same or next day.

 

[Copter]

Lol, you can do that to. Send $45 to ocdsolutions@sc.rr.com and I will get it in the mail same or next day.

These actually waterproof? That's my problem I've gone through many cause water works its way in

 

[OCD Solutions]

The switches themselves are 100% waterproof front and back and the potting compound I use is an industrial adhesive potting compound that binds to the switch and the wire making all the connections just as waterproof. The compound is $19 per 1.7oz tube and I get 3.5 switches per tube, thus the higher cost. Quality costs more.

The clear epoxy will allow the user to monitor the connections for signs of corrosion or water intrusion and detect any issues long before it has a chance to leave him stranded.

I want to let everyone know that there is a new choice on the market and am willing to put my product where my mouth is.

 

[madscientist]

put one in a mason jar of high concentrate salt water and test it once a week after airing it out for a day. this just might work.

 

[OCD Solutions]

put one in a mason jar of high concentrate salt water and test it once a week after airing it out for a day. this just might work.

I thought of that too but didn't think it was close enough to real world use. I was going to hook up 12 VDC to it as well and run it till it failed. I will have it built by this weekend and post pics.

How long would you expect it to last fully submerged in saltwater powering an hour meter? I am expecting that it will last far longer than I am willing to leave it setup. :biggrin:

 

[madscientist]

very tru on the time, however with out exposure to air (dry out time) the corrosive action will be far greater ( take much longer to take effect)

 

[Matt_E]

At my last job, we had type testing labs with a salt & humidity test chamber. 120 degrees, 100% humidity, all salt.
That would have been perfect. If it survives one week in that, it'll live forever.

 

[OCD Solutions]

Well, my garage is close to 100°F everytime I need to work in it so it will be close. I can make saltwater or I can dip a gallon right from the ocean and that should take care of the 100% humidity and salt content. I will fully submerge 2 switches for one month. One will be static and the other connected to 12VDC and connected to an hour meter. If they both pass a 30 day test, I will be confident enough to offer a 3 year warranty on the switch.

LET THE EXPERIMENT BEGIN!!!!

 

[OCD Solutions]

very tru on the time, however with out exposure to air (dry out time) the corrosive action will be far greater ( take much longer to take effect)

This is a good point but to get corrosion, you first need water intrusion. If the switch is fully waterproof then there is no chance for corrosion as all the exposed surfaces are non metallic.

I could always add an airing cycle to the rotation...12 hrs submerged and 3 days to air...or vice versa...

Since you guys are the ones I need to convince, I need to hear what you all think would be a suitable test.

 

[Waternut]

All of my "waterproof" switches have failed in fresh water after only a couple months because the heat and condensation from letting it sit outside under a cover 24/7 gets to the seals. That's my theory anyway. Maybe they were just crappy switches though. Really cool of you to put your product out there like this though. Nothing like some forum users to proove/make a product better.

 

[Matt_E]

I ran my JSS switch in salt and fresh water for four or five years before I sold the hull it was attached to.
Been running Boyer's regular switch for a few months now without issue, but no salt yet.

 

[OCD Solutions]

My standard switches are the same as JSS sells which is why I chose them. They have been proven for several years already in both salt and freshwater. The only real trial here is whether I can actually seal the water out of the connections.

 

[ryan]

money sent!!! let the salty testing begin!!

 

[AtomicPunk]

These look great. How long are the leads and are you using tinned copper?

 

[OCD Solutions]

The leads are tinned marine copper and 10" long on these units but I also have a couple longer ones made up for install into the handpole. Ultimately, I can make them any length you want.

Ryan - your switch shipped out this morning and should be in your hands by friday. I hope you don't mind that I sent you a black one. The clear ones are a limited run and I only have enough for this promotion and a couple test units.

 

[OCD Solutions]

Thinking more about my bench test. How about I find a large glass jar, hang the switch into the jar a couple inches and then bring the leads out thru the lid through grommets. I will then fill half the jar with salt water, seal the lid and leave the whole thing in my hot garage for 30 days. I can shake up the jar a couple times a day to expose the switch directly to the salt water but more importantly, this will expose the switch to hot and cold temperature transitions as well as the moisture and pressures experienced in an actual hull with the hood left on. I will take baseline measurements on the leads before and periodically thru the experiment as well as connect an hour meter. After the 30 days, I will report actual condition with pics and then the experiment will be left on the shelf till the hour meter stops ticking and the switch actually fails.

**Footnote: there are over 30 of these switches currently in service so they are already proving themselves in real world conditions, some for a year already with no issues. This is simply another method to prove their worth in an environment that may accelerate test results as well as bring exposure to the product.

 

[Idok]

B mount one in the bottom of a ski....zip it to the steering cable or something lol....