Melted switches at helm

[K&T3200]

Anyone have the problem with the black rubber switches at the helm?
Ours have melted and the rubber gets soft when not covered and rubs off on our clothes. We keep the area covered except when underway-they were like this when we got the boat.
Where do you find replace the melted switch covers?
Kris

[Kevlar7r]

Same thing happened to mine. Citrus based cleaners dissolve the older switch covers.

They are standard Carling switch covers. Most likely contura III. Everyone sells them. They just pop off and the new one pops on. Simple

Sent from my SM-G930P using Tapatalk

[speedysprocket]

Best deal I found was on eBay. I needed 13 but no one had more than 9 at any one time, so had to make a deal with one of them to order them. Ended up costing a little under $30. And I got the ones that are just black plastic, no rubber to go bad!

[jparsons121]

I looked at a number of suppliers.
Waytek Wire had the best pricing, etc.

https://www.waytekwire.com

Each Actuator was $0.74 ea.. (not the 5 bucks or so quoted at many places)
These are the hard plastic version... Not the rubberized..
Holding up really well in the Florida heat/sun.

44437 Carling Technologies VVCBC00-000 Plastic, Black, Amber Lens Contura III Actuator EA 0.74
44435 Carling Technologies VVCZC00-000 Plastic, Black, No Lens Contura III Actuator EA 0.74

Get the removal tool.. It's worth it.
44381 Carling Technologies VRT Actuator Removal Tool for Contura Rocker Switches EA 3.02

John

[K&T3200]

Thanks for all the info. Very helpful.

[dbriceno]

Check fpmarine.com. I replaced all of mine for the same reason. And yes, buy the removal tool.

[speedysprocket]

Originally Posted by jparsons121

I looked at a number of suppliers.

Waytek Wire had the best pricing, etc.



https://www.waytekwire.com



Each Actuator was $0.74 ea.. (not the 5 bucks or so quoted at many places)

These are the hard plastic version... Not the rubberized..

Holding up really well in the Florida heat/sun.



44437Carling Technologies VVCBC00-000 Plastic, Black, Amber Lens Contura III ActuatorEA0.74

44435Carling Technologies VVCZC00-000 Plastic, Black, No Lens Contura III ActuatorEA0.74



Get the removal tool.. It's worth it.

44381Carling Technologies VRT Actuator Removal Tool for Contura Rocker SwitchesEA3.02



John

Good price per unit, but looks like they get you on the shipping.

[jparsons121]

Originally Posted by speedysprocket

Good price per unit, but looks like they get you on the shipping.

I thought so too..

Then I did the math and it worked out to be $1.28 each for the actuators (including 2 of the removal tools which I amortized into the per unit price).

Some of the others listed at 2.50-3.50 ea (most had shipping charges of some kind as well).

If you only need one or two, Carling or one of their distributors may send you a "sample" for free..

John

[MoonRiver]

I noticed this "melting" thing about a month ago on my 2700 scr top row of switches. I thought it might have been a cleaner reaction. I was super pissed, but now I can replace them all and never worry again.

speedysprocket,

I looked at the site you posted. One of the part #s indicated an Arbor Lens. The rubber switch covers I have now do not have lights. Should I buy the "No Lens" or will I get a light if I replace with the "Arbor Lens" version? Indicator lights would be super cool. LED indicator lights would be even cooler.

thanks

[speedysprocket]

If the switches aren’t already lighted, replacing the rocker with one that has a lens won’t make it light up. I bought the no lens, hard plastic rockers and love them. So much better than those old gummy ones. I don’t even know the purpose of having that rubber coating on them.

[MoonRiver]

I kind of thought that was the case. I will order those in the off season.

We get shrink wrapped on Monday, season is over up here for us. I'm having an access door installed this year so I can get in for inspections throughout the winter. Might even get some deep cleaning done.

[Glam on the water]

Thankkkkkk you do much
Wealth of info
No more sticky fingers

[dallison217]

Still relevant, even 6 years later!

Thanks!

[Mongoose]

Originally Posted by dallison217

Still relevant, even 6 years later!

Thanks!

Exactly! I added them to the list of things to fix on my 3200. Saving this thread for later.

'Goose

[dallison217]

Originally Posted by Mongoose

Exactly! I added them to the list of things to fix on my 3200. Saving this thread for later.

'Goose

I just ordered 20 covers from https://spemco.com for less than $40.

1998 3200SCR

[dalehollowmaxum]

I bought the removal tool a couple of seasons ago and try to pop them off but the covers never release. Is there a trick to it? Maybe all my covers actually melted onto the switch?
Could it be that they weren’t removable ?