The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Electrical Bay Proximity Switch

I bought a stringer of LED lights for the upper section of my toolbox and want to rig a proximity switch on the lid to turn the lights on when the lid is opened. I found several on Amazon and can figure it out, but wondered if any of you fellas have a recommendation.

Most of those sensors/switches are NO. That could be a bit challenging. They have very small sensing distances. I think they are mostly DC. Is this toolbox in your truck or house? Why do you need a proximity switch, that is not the common use for them. You could install a momentary push button NC bulkhead mount switch. (I.E. Jamb mounted dome light switch/glove box switch) This would of course be totally mechanical as opposed to the totally electronic one you ask about. There are also mercury switches that were used for your type purpose. (I.E.60 Pontiac trunk light switch).
Now called mercury tilt switches and frequently used to send alarm signal from unauthorized trunk or hood opening. Or at my house, the refrigerator

It is in a big rolling toolbox in the shop. Matco uses proximity switches in some of their boxes for the same purpose. The lights run off a little 12 V DC transformer. Lot's of ways to skin this cat, including adding another power strip that I can switch on when I open the box. The one I have in it now, I leave on for charging batt packs and a battery tender.

Have you thought about using a micro switch much like the ones you find on a washing machine lid? they are cheaper and less sensitive to environmental conditions.

There are examples of those switches everywhere Allen. The washing machine switch is a great idea. On my printing presses we have several switches that have a roller bearing on the end so it smoothly transitions when the doors are closed as part of a safety shutoff system.

Those are momentary push button NO (normally open) switches, as I said he needs NC (normally closed) in my opinion. I would use a stick-on tap light. AS SEEN ON TV or a motion sensor light aimed at the tool box. I have motion lights inside my shop for when my hands are full. Good if your light switch is far from a door.

Great ideas fellas....many thanks