Radio Shack foot switch--it works on Gralab 450!!

[eric]

Thanks again guys, I love the McGyverisms on this web site. I bought the Radio Shack Recorder footswitch for $6.99 and it works just dandy on my Gralab 450.

 

[David Brown]

Thanks again guys, I love the McGyverisms on this web site. I bought the Radio Shack Recorder footswitch for $6.99 and it works just dandy on my Gralab 450.

That has a mini phone plug, right? I wonder if one could switch out the plug and use it for an Omega timer .... Hmmmm.....:rolleyes:

 

[Monophoto]

A switch is a switch is a switch - - - there may be differences in ratings, but I suspect the fundamental function is readily portable from Brand X to Brand Y.

I found my foot switch in a dumpster. Many years ago, my employer had a photo lab in the first floor of the building we were in. Periodically they would clean house, and I would always make a point of glancing into the dumpster to see what they were throwing away. I still regret not glomming onto the old Kodak 4x5 tanks and hangers - - -

I have no idea what brand the foot switch is. My timer is an old GE x-ray processing timer that wasn't equipped to receive a switch. But I found that I could add a jack on the side of the case, and a matching plug on the switch, and now everything works just fine.

McGuyverisms rock!

 

[Reinhold]

If the Radio Shack switch doesn't suit you, there are bunches of excellent foot switches at surplus electronics dealers, for example: http://www.herbach.com/Merchant2/me...ode=HAR&Product_Code=L2-001&Category_Code=SWH
These have a particularly nice profile and work nicely "under the toe".

 

[Flotsam]

My old Kearsarge footswitch works fine with my "new" used Beseler Audible Timer.

 

[jjstafford]

A switch is a switch is a switch McGuyverisms rock!

Are they really? I truly need a footswitch a Chromeacontrol and, of course, the manufacturer uses a proprietary plug. It's just a mystery to me and as of recently, I've become reluctant to experiment with electrical things.

Plans for a Chromegacontrol switch? Any out there?

 

[eric]

That has a mini phone plug, right? I wonder if one could switch out the plug and use it for an Omega timer .... Hmmmm.....:rolleyes:

It has the mini and the large.

 

[JHannon]

It has the mini and the large.

You can also get a mini to 1/4" adapter plug.

BTW, some switches are "normally open" (no connection until you press it). I have also seen "normally closed" (constant connection until you press then goes open). Depending on the design of the product.

The switches are simple to adapt but some of the crazy custom connectors can make it difficult. In that case I just find the two switch wires on the custom connector and wire to a 1/4in or mini connector. This voids warranties of course...

 

[Monophoto]

JJS -

I presume that since you are in the tropics of Minnesota (I recall some miserable 90+ deg August days in Minneapolis - as well as freezing my tush in International Falls in January), your Chromegatrol is a 120v. model. If so, I would expect that ia 120V foot switch would work with it. I suppose that is it possible that it is designed to switch at a lower voltage, but even so, a switch rated for 120V would work at lower voltages.

In that case, the only issues are to find a plug that matches the jack, and making sure that the switch "sense" is correct. Again, I would expect that the design expects an "a" contact (normally open), but it is always possible that it wants a "b" (normally closed).

Do you have the user manual for the Chrometrol? It should include a circuit diagram that would help answer the sense question. Of course, the other approach is to purchase a switch that can go either way, and experiment. Several of the switches sold by the vendor Reinhold suggested are SPDT - single-pole, double-throw (form "c" for those familiary with that terminology).

 

[David Brown]

A switch is a switch is a switch - - -

Agreed. If all the timer needs is a momentary closure (short), than any switch works. It's a matter of matching up plugs, or opening the box to get at the wires.

 

[TheFixer]

There is no need to pay more than $8 for a foot switch for the gralab digital timers. Radio Shack has a recorder footswitch that will work just fine; I have one on my gralab 645. Footswitch runs $6.99 @ RS stores, or at their web site.

Thanks jamnut! I got one for my Gralab 505, and it works fine. Saved me about $17 - I was going to buy one on ebay.
Maybe I should thank Gralab, for using a very common connector and switching system/

 

[Peter De Smidt]

Quick qustion. I have a 120v ByChrome Vacuum easel. The foot switch is dead. I need a switch that'll stay on when I click it until I click it again. What is the nomenclature for that type of switch?

Thanks,
Peter

 

[TheFixer]

Peter,
Not sure of the technical description, but, it connects to the timer by a mini plug, similar to the headphone jack on many portable audio players. It also comes with a 1/4" phono adapter.
When I start the timer with the footswitch, it will count down until I press the footswitch again. It will stop; it will start again if I press the footswitch. I think it might work for your application, Besides, for $7, what ya have to lose?

 

[Bob F.]

Quick qustion. I have a 120v ByChrome Vacuum easel. The foot switch is dead. I need a switch that'll stay on when I click it until I click it again. What is the nomenclature for that type of switch?

Thanks,
Peter

"Latching" or "non-momentary" or "push on - push off". Obviously, any switch you get needs to be able to handle 120V. If it is connected directly to the vacuum motor, it needs to be rated for inductive loads at whatever the current rating of the motor may be.

Bob.

 

[jjstafford]

Agreed. If all the timer needs is a momentary closure (short), than any switch works. It's a matter of matching up plugs, or opening the box to get at the wires.

The socket for the footswitch on mine has four prongs; two fat, two thinner. I am not confident in just making presumptions as to what pair does what, and I would not be surprised of the maker mismatched the pair just to make their switch even more proprietary.

 

[Shmoo]

Thanks again guys, I love the McGyverisms on this web site. I bought the Radio Shack Recorder footswitch for $6.99 and it works just dandy on my Gralab 450.

By the way, thanks for this tidbit. I was wandering through the local Radio Shack and found one of these goodies on sale (clearance...?) for $4.98. Works great on my 450.

S

 

[Charles Webb]

Does anybody know if the Radio Shack switch could be made to work with an old GraLab 300 ? It is not set up for operation with a foot switch, but I believe it could be. I know very little about such things!

Thanks,

 

[ootsy]

Does anybody know if the Radio Shack switch could be made to work with an old GraLab 300 ? It is not set up for operation with a foot switch, but I believe it could be. I know very little about such things!

Thanks,

Yes, I have a 300 as well. I guess that the toggle switch would have to be replaced with a phono plug. Is it safe to do this? I think the footswitch would work then.

 

[djkloss]

jjstafford...Are they really? I truly need a footswitch a Chromeacontrol and, of course, the manufacturer uses a proprietary plug. It's just a mystery to me and as of recently, I've become reluctant to experiment with electrical things.

So I guess the Time-O-Lite FS-65 Foot Switch w/adapter won't work on a Chromegatrol?

Any other suggestions without forking out the $200+ for their 'proprietary plug'?

 

[John Koehrer]

Yes, I have a 300 as well. I guess that the toggle switch would have to be replaced with a phono plug. Is it safe to do this? I think the footswitch would work then.

Just wire the 1/4" receptacle in parrallel with the toggle then you have both.

 

[philldresser]

How about fitting one on a Devere 504 timer. I would love to have a footswitch but refuse to pay £40 for one.
It has a 3 prong plug at the rear. Any suggestions?

Phill

 

[Curt]

Would that Radio Shack foot switch work on the main breaker of my house electrical panel? I need to flicker off and on the lights to get the kid to shut off everything and go to bed.

 

[Curt]

Yea works great right? I just went to the darkroom and I have the three prong plugins for the:

My old Kearsarge foot switch works fine with my "new" used Beseler Audible Timers.

Yep I have both the Kearsarge and a Beseler Audible timer but no foot switch.

Curt

 

[Curt]

Phill, are the prongs two horizontal and one vertical female type?

Curt