What kind of switch do I need for this....

[Death Wraith]

My monster in a box. I'd like to mount an electric light inside that flashes as the lid bangs up and down. I'm thinking some kind of momentary switch for 120v, like what a refrigerator has that turns on the light when the door is opened. So when my lid bounces up and down it hits against the switch and lights the light when the pressure is OFF. Would Radio Shack have something like this? Maybe someone could link me up??

DW

[NickG]

I used one of the lighting - FX boxes, works great... except it's pretty much constantly on when the lid is going. (I used the mic on the FX box to make the light come on)

see: http://hauntforum.com/showthread.php?t=7009&highlight=mib

[Otaku]

Yes, they have this roller switch that will work. Mount it so the roller arm will be pressed down by the lid, perhaps attach a small extension on the inside of the lid to contact the roller. Wire the light to the Common and Normally Closed terminals and the light will be off when the lid is closed, and on when the lid rises up. I've used this same switch for some pretty demanding fixtures at work and they're very reliable.

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2049719&cp=2032058.2032230.2032278&pg=4&parentPage=family

[rbrittigan]

I used the roller switch on my coffin jumper (triggered red lighting once he was extended), but eventually mine failed. I turned to a magnet & reed switch - the magnet never really touches the reed swith, so it shoud last a really long time. (the magnet is one of those rare earth types that I can't spell - super strong, but a little brittle)
You don't have as hard of impact, (mine was as the armature pushed against the edge), so yours should work fine either way... The reed switches come both normal 'off' and normal 'on', so just look for one with normal 'off' and you should be good...