recessed electrical switches

[gafrix]

Posted this in another topic, but didn't get a lot of input, so thought I'd try a topic by itself...

I've seen electrical switches recessed into the facia of layouts. They are recessed by the installation of a PVC fitting. I'm having trouble locating the fitting (i.e. the plumbing supply doesn't have them and hasn't seem them). It's shaped like a "U" with a lip around the outside edge of the "U." It's a 1-1/2" or 2" fitting. The closed end of the fitting is flat (i.e. it's not a cap that you'd use to close the end of a PVC pipe - these are rounded). The switch is mounted on the closed end of the U. The lip gives an easy means of mounting the fitting to the facia. Anybody out there seen this & can identify the name of the part?

[dknelson]

What I have seen is a sort of cup the edges of which are flush with the fascia so it is recessed and the switch is inside of it -- so it cannot be accidentally bumped.
I have seen cups of this sort used to cap off a water pipe. Presumably a hole is drilled in the end for the wires and to mount the switch
Actually something very similar that I have saved from time to time: Gillette Foamy and perhaps some other shave creams come in small travel sizes and the caps look about the right size for this use. perhaps other household product caps might be close to the right size, such as the cap to Old Spice deoderant round stick.
Dave Nelson

[Big_Boy_4005]

A test cap matches that description, but they are pretty shallow. I suppose if you mount them from behind, the fascia thickness makes them deep enough to keep the switch handle from sticking out.

From a plumbing perspective they are glued on to provide a temporary seal to a pipe during a perssure test for leaks. They are made of a more brittle plastic, and knocked out, leaving the rim, when the fixture is installed.

[cacole]

I used large PVC water pipe end caps to recess the toggle switches to lights and sound effects on our club layout, and they worked out very well. The biggest challenge is finding a hole saw for an electric drill that is the right diameter for the PVC pipe. The closest I could come was a hole saw that was about 1/16" larger than the PVC, but a thick coating of silicon sealant around the cap filled the gap and holds them in place very securely.

[dgwinup]

I think what you may be looking for is called a Spigot Slip Plug. I found a listing for them on this site: http://www.plumbingsupply.com/pvc.html

Scroll down the page until you find the 'caps' section. If you get the larger sizes, you can install your switch at the back and the flange can be used to mount it on your fascia panel. I imagine you could mount them through the panel with the flange on the outside or behind the panel with the flange behind the fascia.

Hope this helps.

Darrell, piping up, but quiet...for now

[gafrix]

Darrell - THANKS - That's it!!! Exactly what I've been looking for. Thanks!!!