DPDT switch recommendations

[mike_lawyer]

I am starting to work on a control panel for my layout and need to purchase some good quality mini DPDT switches.  I have had some unfortunate recent experiences with cheap switches from China that have quickly failed.  Does anyone have a manufacturer recommendation and a website where I can source them?  Thanks!

[JeffB]

Try DigiKey...  They're an electronics component supplier and have just about anything you might want regarding electronics and electrical items for industrial use.

I've only ever bought wire, heat shrink tubing and PC board (copper clad) sheets from them, but they gave good service.

https://www.digikey.com/?utm_adgroup=DigiKey&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=EN_Brand_Digi-Key&utm_term=digikey&utm_content=DigiKey&utm_id=go_cmp-120498675_adg-40368337894_ad-631343027453_kwd-136797198_dev-c_ext-_prd-_sig-Cj0KCQiA7OqrBhD9ARIsAK3UXh3lAOp0W9aAneJnE_QBDR6nElXlXIXneE8eJ_-G-GStIUIMipLmY4saAleCEALw_wcB&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiA7OqrBhD9ARIsAK3UXh3lAOp0W9aAneJnE_QBDR6nElXlXIXneE8eJ_-G-GStIUIMipLmY4saAleCEALw_wcB

Jeff

[MK]

I second Digikey.  And even if you get Made In China stuff from them, it will not be crappy Made In China stuff that you sometimes find on Amazon, eBay, etc.

[peteski]

I second Digikey.  And even if you get Made In China stuff from them, it will not be crappy Made In China stuff that you sometimes find on Amazon, eBay, etc.

Yes, Digikey is a good source for all electronic stuff (including switches), although the search engine and number of available items can be quite overwhelming.  As for made in China, what isn't nowadays?  But like MK mentioned, there are different grades of things made in China,

[mike_lawyer]

I have always found digikey to be so overwhelming it is hard to find just simple things.  Its like there are too many options there.

[peteski]

Is Radio Shack (yes, I know, online only) still around?  They used to sell decent quality switches.  I have some installed in equipment over 30 years ago (as power switches switching 120V AC) and they still work.

[learmoia]

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/ERjOERtuIxU
(You can't embed Youtube short links.)

[rodsup9000]

  I have over a hundred in use on my railroad that came from China (ebay) that I haven't had any problems with. About 25 are used for Tortoises and the rest control servos via Arduino's.
 
 The only way I know how to screw one up is, to use more amperage than it's rated for.

 For years, I used ones from Minitronic's with no problems.
 

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I just buy stuff from Amazon because it's easy and will be here "tomorrow" for nothing.

[mmagliaro]

How cheap do they need to be?   You can find surplus lots of real-deal C&K mini dpdt toggles on eBay for about $3 per switch.  If you need 100 of them, then yeah, that $300.  But maybe you don't need that many, or you're willing to spring for it.  C&K are awesome (which is why they are usually more like double that price retail).

I've also had great luck with a seller called megatone_electronics on eBay.  He has mini dpdt (not C&K but still good switches), and I've bought a lot of other parts off him - never had a junker yet.

Finally, if you want to go retail,  mouser electronics is my fave, but digi-key is also good, and sometimes Jameco will have great deals on
surplus close-outs of really good US-made switches.

[mike_lawyer]

Thanks Max, I need about 20 mini DPDT switches for my layout.  I will check around and see if I can find any deals on those C&K switches.