odd "mercury switch" i bought.

[TheCatOfAges]

 

 

does anyone know what this is? it was listed as a mercury switch. if anyone knows what this actually is that would be helpful. : )

[TerryB]

It’s most likely a switch that contains a small amount of liquid mercury to operate.  When you tilt the switch the mercury inside will make the switch make contact.  

[TheCatOfAges]

26 minutes ago, TerryB said:

It’s most likely a switch that contains a small amount of liquid mercury to operate.  When you tilt the switch the mercury inside will make the switch make contact.  

it only has one wire, does it switch ground?

[roysboystoys]

Usually for hood or trunk light. Grounds the base side of bulb. You can test it with an ohmmeter.

[TheCatOfAges]

59 minutes ago, roysboystoys said:

Usually for hood or trunk light. Grounds the base side of bulb. You can test it with an ohmmeter.

i figured it outz it gives ground. i simply need a socket with an external ground wire to route to it.

 

i want a trunk light in my '57 ford fairlane, and figured a '61-65ish ford truck dome light would work perfectly, mounted on the particle shelf, with this as the switch to give ground.

[sagefinds]

One drawback to a mercury switch,in freezing weather the mercury freezes solid and dudn't work so good anymore.

[TheCatOfAges]

Just now, sagefinds said:

One drawback to a mercury switch,in freezing weather the mercury freezes solid and dudn't work so good anymore.

ive never had that issue before, even then, i dont drive it in winter so it doesnt matter much

[Oldtech]

6 hours ago, sagefinds said:

One drawback to a mercury switch,in freezing weather the mercury freezes solid and dudn't work so good anymore.

Only below - 40. 

[Jolly_John]

I suggest you test this mercury switch for proper operation BEFORE bothering to install it. I've found many of these used 50-75-year-old mercury switches aren't in working condition these days. This problem is electrical, and not related to temperature. John

[sagefinds]

10 hours ago, Oldtech said:

Only below - 40. 

I was watching a science show many years ago,the guy poured mercury into a mold the shape of a hammer,froze it and then pounded a nail into a board with it. I don't know what temp he froze it at but that kind of always stuck with me.

[TheCatOfAges]

21 minutes ago, Jolly_John said:

I suggest you test this mercury switch for proper operation BEFORE bothering to install it. I've found many of these used 50-75-year-old mercury switches aren't in working condition these days. This problem is electrical, and not related to temperature. John

at about a 45-65 degree angle the ohm meter reads about 9 ohms. should work.

[Hans1]

As info:

My 50's outbard motors have mercury switches, levers in correct position to start.

Cant be bothered with freezing  to much as Mercury freezes at -37.894 F. 

 

Probably does not bother old car operations for most of us in USA.