MITS Altair 8800B switches wanted

[Erik]

I am desperately seeking NOS, working pulls or accurate replacement switches for my MITS 8800b.

These are flattened paddle switches, both ON-OFF and MOM-Off-MOM type. SPDT, Panel mount, solder post with a 15mm actuator. This last part is the pain as everything I've found is 10mm or less.

I've checked every online source that I know of plus all of the local electronics and surplus shops with no luck.

I'm sure someone here has a stash or knows someone who does. I need at least one of each type but would prefer a few more as I do have a few marginal switches to replace if I can.

I'd even buy a complete 8800b D/C board if that's what it took.

Please PM me here or email me at my webmaster@ this site address if you can help.

Thank you!

 

[gslick]

Would a C&K 7105T2PCBE work?

7105 - Switch Function SP Mom.-Off-Mom.
T2P - Actuator Flatted, anti-rotation,.610” high, 15/32 bushing
C - Terminations PC Thru-hole
B - Contact Material Gold
E - Seal Epoxy

Not sure about the 15/32 bushing part, other specs seem close.

 

[Erik]

Close. The panel cutout is 2x what will work (if I'm reading it correctly) and they are non-stock items at DigiKey with a 50 unit minimum at $10 per. Ouch.

 

[deramp5113]

Erik,

I have a number of the address switches - I can part with a few. These are the 0.4VA gold plated contacts, so they can't be used as the power switch, but if the power switch is an issue, there's a good chance you'll find a sliver contact (3A or 6A) address switch on your D/C board you could swap into the power switch position. Unfortunately I don't have any spare momentary switches.

I posted to the thread just to highlight the gold versus sliver contact issue.

Mike