Electric key switch for power bus door

[roach711]

I'm looking for a key switch that I can install on the outer bus body that will let me open/close the power bus door. There has to be something like this out there, but I sure haven't fond one so far.

[wtd]

Hard to guess without knowing contact configuration, current capacity, etc. you need - do you need just a SPST or ...?
What's the current draw by the door opening mechanism?
Are you just switching a relay or the actual mechanism itself?

You're right, probably a bunch around that would do, but we don't know what ya' need.

Tom

[somewhereinusa]

I got one of these, that I'm going to use with some relays for my lock.
https://www.surpluscenter.com/item.a...tname=electric

[roach711]

Originally Posted by wtd

You're right, probably a bunch around that would do, but we don't know what ya' need.

Tom

Good point. The existing switch is a three position toggle switch (normally off on center position, momentary on (up) to open, momentary on (down) to close) but not sure whether it goes to a relay or direct to the door mechanism. I'm betting it goes to a relay since there are a bunch of non-chassis fuses and relays in the passenger foot well. I'll have to break out the cable tracer and find out if one of the relays goes to the door motor. Naturally, none of them are marked .

Somewhereinusa - That's just the thing. For $3 I belive I'll pick up one.

[funbus63]

What I'm planning on doing is to install a single pole key switch on the hot wire going to the switch but I'm going to replace the three position switch with a handle/ lever type switch. That way if we are camping, tailgating etc. other people can operate the door without a key but if you want it secured you just use the S.P. key switch.

[chev49]

I am glad the bus that i have now came with a key switch just above the passenger headlight, so that i can open and shut the door tight.

[lapeer20m]

I have successfully utilized remote keyless entry on multiple buses. The latest one i used was just a standard part sold at orielly auto. It was a standard universal remote keyless unit made for cars that already have electronic locks. The thing that made it work for me is that it had an option to provide current for 3 (or 5? i forget) seconds in order to give older European vacuum operated locks time to work. This was about the amount of time it took to open/close the door on the bus.

Bulldog Security - Keylees Entry
Part Number: KE1702



Meijer sells this item for $36.00.

Another option i considered, but never implemented, is using a magnet switch made for windows like they use in a burglary alarm system. You could mount the part without the magnet somewhere on the exterior of the bus, and you could give a magnet to each person who you wish to grant access to the bus. They can pass their "magic" necklace, ring, card, key etc over the correct spot on the bus and the door will open. You don't have to tell people that their magic key is a magnet. Obviously this system is not the most secure, as anyone with a magnet could gain entry to the bus.

[somewhereinusa]

The handicapped vans had a magnetic lock mounted inside the tail light. I always assumed that the location was because of the plastic, so metal wouldn't interfere with the magnet.