Blue Seas failing Bat switches

[gofastsandman]

Over on TOS there is a long thread about this issue.

Just a PSA for your safety.

[McGillicuddy]

Thanks for the PSA, GFS.

In light of these failures I still regard Blue Sea Systems as an excellent company with excellent technical assistance and design engineering.

I could definitely see where bad plastic sourcing could have led to some failure. The few pics I have seen certainly imply a weak link in both design, and boat manufacturer's application. Very little plastic and thin bracing at flange area, especially when combined with plastic expansion in screwing process, looks suspect. I would guess these re-assemblies are done with screw guns without proper clutching generating excessive heat and excessive torque, weakening or making the plastic more brittle.

3 to 4 or more heavy gauge battery cables on mini-Switches plus hard links to neighboring switches and the way they were strung (poor, if any support and, apparent indifference to gravity and tension), looked like an abuse of the product. That's on the boat manufacturer.

New re-design appears much better structurally.

[gofastsandman]

Originally Posted by McGillicuddy

Thanks for the PSA, GFS.

In light of these failures I still regard Blue Sea Systems as an excellent company with excellent technical assistance and design engineering.

I could definitely see where bad plastic sourcing could have led to some failure. The few pics I have seen certainly imply a weak link in both design, and boat manufacturer's application. Very little plastic and thin bracing at flange area, especially when combined with plastic expansion in screwing process, looks suspect. I would guess these re-assemblies are done with screw guns without proper clutching generating excessive heat and excessive torque, weakening or making the plastic more brittle.

3 to 4 or more heavy gauge battery cables on mini-Switches plus hard links to neighboring switches and the way they were strung (poor, if any support and, apparent indifference to gravity and tension), looked like an abuse of the product. That's on the boat manufacturer.

New re-design appears much better structurally.

Riggers have rarely been our friends.
The throw away cheap plastic mentality is also on the hook here me thinks.

Still learning here.

[NoBones]

Cole Hersee !!!!

Just like Bennett Trim Tabs

Original in my ole' tub.......

[Bigshrimpin]

I've been wondering if this is how the 32 regulator caught fire south of MV.

[kmoose]

It is a production run issue that Blue Seas will replace if your switch serial # is one in question. Beware of Ebay BS switches as many of the bad run has been dumped on there.

[gofastsandman]

Originally Posted by kmoose

It is a production run issue that Blue Seas will replace if your switch serial # is one in question. Beware of Ebay BS switches as many of the bad run has been dumped on there.

Good call there.

Wow Big, I saw a 30 ft. sloop go up and down in no time as a young squid in
Padanaram harbor. I think I have 5 or 6 fire extinguishers now.

Scary fast is my memory.

[kmoose]

Likely not a BS switch failure but we came across this in 04.

[kmoose]

Boom! Yes, I have the #