Has anyone found an alternative to an original mercury switch???RDE-17 1955 25hp

[outboardnut]

Has anyone found an alternative to an original mercury switch???
I know some of you will say just use an original one. Well in my humble opinion. The original way it was designed is less than desirable. Also if one is to be found. I consider it a bit pricey.
One thought I had was to take broken mercury switch which I own. Use a dremel tool and take off the mercury switch from its bracket and epoxy glue a good mercury switch. Unfortunately the mercury switches on EBay are 5mm long while the original mercury switch is 19 mm long
https://www.ebay.com/itm/10Pcs-lot-Glass-5mm-Mercury-Switch-Angle-Tilt-Switch-Switches-beautiful/233411125273?hash=item3658632019:g:2TAAAOSwyXhZxPH2
or this
https://www.dx.com/p/jtron-sw-520d-lacoste-ball-switch-angle-switch-tilt-switch-vibration-switch-black-10-pcs-2035945.html#.XpzgJpl7nIV
What do you think????
Has anyone found an alternative to an original mercury switch???
If you have one for sale and it will not cost me an arm and leg -please contact me

• This topic was modified 5 years ago by outboardnut. Reason: added something

[outboardnut]

I thought I would include this info also
Its from a Gale service manual

[fleetwin]

I wonder if it would be possible to update the mercury switch system to the later style introduced in the 60s. I’m guessing you would have to change the mag plate, and find a way to mount that mercury switch on top of the block….

[Buccaneer]

Seems like someone mentioned once about maybe trying micro switches.
Not sure how they’d mount or if one was ever tried.

I looked at those on Ebay before, back when I was working on my RDE-17,
but ended up robbing a mercury switch off another outboard I had.
Would be nice to know if one of those Ebay switches could be
mounted some how.

Prepare to be boarded!

[crosbyman]

the old style round furnace wall thermostats had mercury switches inside….

https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=old+style+round+furnace+thermostat&docid=608034538328821219&mid=BD8F70BB1D444BFCB5B3BD8F70BB1D444BFCB5B3&view=detail&FORM=VIRE

Joining AOMCI has priviledges 🙂

• This reply was modified 5 years ago by crosbyman.

[fleetwin]

Just use the micro switch from the later model 40hp models…Again, it is a matter of fabricating something so it can be mounted properly, and using a later model mag plate….Never tried it, but thinking it can be done….
What does Frank think??

[gjonz]

Call Seaway marine. They had them a few years ago.

Greg

[george-emmanuel]

I don’t think a mercury switch can go bad. They can break. The wires are attached via a mini-spotweld and cannot be re-soldered if the wire breaks off. Is that what you are saying is wrong with your switch?

George

[dave-bernard]

I have seen mercury switches go bad. mostly the would continue full contact till tapped on.

[joecb]

You used to be able to buy mercury switches ( glass vile style) from electronics supple don’t know if that’s still an option. Also , some mid 60’s GM cars used a mercury stitch to activate the under hood service light. The switch was mounted to the underside of the hood…. open the hood , the light comes on.

Joe B

[Author]

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