Re: HELP - Outdoor reed switch recomendations

["Bov" <abovingdon@xxxxxxx>]

That's a thought... I'll take a look to see if the current unit is 
broken - if not I'll bring it inside to dry out etc and then re-fit 
and seal it with sealant. If it fails I can always cut open or buy a 
new one.

--- In ukha_d@y..., "Patrick Lidstone" <patrick@l...>
wrote:
> --- In ukha_d@y..., "Bov" <abovingdon@y...> wrote:
> > 
> > My god, so many options on the RS website - nothing outlines 
which 
> > are suitable for exterior use though. Both RS and Maplin have
reed 
> > switches that are pre-wired and encased in plastic or metal - but
> > nothing that says they will survive the weather any better than
the 
> > other ones. 
> > 
> > Unless anyone has any suggestions, I guess I'll buy one of these
> > encased ones and try it.
> 
> A reed switch is just a glass envelope with a couple of carefully 
> placed metal contacts. One contact is typically fixed and one is 
free 
> to pivot. The free contact is magnetised, and when in the proximity
> of a suitable magnet, pivots closing the contact.
> 
> What all this means is that you can create your own housing. So 
long 
> as the magnet is strong enough to operate the switch, you can 
enclose 
> the switch in whatever you like. An obvious starting point would be
> small-bore plastic pipe - because you'll be able to get the clips 
to 
> mount it satisfactorily too. Put the reed switch inside, together 
> with the joint to your "home run" cable (preferably
soldered). Plug 
> the ends of the pipe with silcone sealant and you'll probably be 
home 
> and dry :-)
> 
> Patrick



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