I have a excavator that has slide control for the aux and a off/momentary button on the backside of the handle.
Ideally I’m looking to replace the off/mom switch with an off/on switch if I can find the same style in that configuration. Other option is to wire in a separate on off switch and leave the original switch in place.
So question is will that work because I took the handle apart to take a look already and the wires run through a sealed silver box(I don’t know what that is) and reading about the control part of it is the slide switch takes priority if pressed at the same time.

 

The photo does not provide a good view of that "silver box", and without some understanding of the circuit it will be very difficult to provide GOOD advice. Lots of random guesses but unless we have a good understanding of the system it is difficult to help. What I see is a simple good quality switch. But if the wires even go into that box is not clear.

 

The photo does not provide a good view of that "silver box", and without some understanding of the circuit it will be very difficult to provide GOOD advice. Lots of random guesses but unless we have a good understanding of the system it is difficult to help. What I see is a simple good quality switch. But if the wires even go into that box is not clear.

Yeah that's understandable. Ill pull it back apart and get some better pics and follow the wires back further.
The way it works is the slide switch is variable control in both directions and the button I'm referring to is single direction full power. The variable switch takes priority if there both pressed at the same time so I assume that's what's happening in that silver box but I'm definitely not sure.
If my assumptions are right having a off/on switch there wouldn't make a difference because it would still get interrupted by the variable switch if accidently hit which it probably wouldn't but just in case.
I tried finding a wiring diagram but there is nothing on it because they don't sell the individual five dollar switches you have to buy a $1200 dollar joystick instead.

 

What's the brand and model?

 

What's the brand and model?

It’s a John Deere 50g

 

Equipment repair is not aways cheap.

JD 50G love the sound

 

One question comes to mind, which is sort of important is how much current is being switched? If the circuit is just a command signal to a computer sort of controls package, then #28 super-flex wires will be adequate, but if it is directly controlling a valve then there may be an amp or so flowing, so bigger wire would be needed. There is also a bit of a concern about the possibility of noise pickup. So "just adding" a parallel switch is not so simple.

 

It’s just a control switch to a relay which opens the pilot hydraulics that opens the valves.
The switch that’s in there right now is 0.1 amp rating.

 

It’s just a control switch to a relay which opens the pilot hydraulics that opens the valves.
The switch that’s in there right now is 0.1 amp rating.

OK, that is good news! A second switch in parallel will be OK, and not cause any problems. So now the serious challenge will be where to put the added switch. I have seen some very small ALCO brand toggle switches that might possibly be added into that control stick assembly.
That control switch in the photo is in a family of momentary action switches, so replacing it with a maintained operation device will be a real challenge. I have seen mechanical holding arrangements, though.

 

OK, that is good news! A second switch in parallel will be OK, and not cause any problems. So now the serious challenge will be where to put the added switch. I have seen some very small ALCO brand toggle switches that might possibly be added into that control stick assembly.
That control switch in the photo is in a family of momentary action switches, so replacing it with a maintained operation device will be a real challenge. I have seen mechanical holding arrangements, though.

If I could find the same switch in a off on configuration i could change it very easily but I haven't had any luck finding one they seem to be all off/mom switches with different amp ratings.
Its pretty tight inside that joystick already so even though it would be possible it would be annoying to add another switch to it.
I can run the wires over to the other joystick and put a button in that one or even a toggle switch on the dash would be fine because the only thing its going to be used for is a multcher head that runs on continuous one way hydraulic flow.

 

Probably you will need to access the control circuit farther away from the control stick. A switch on the dashboard , along with an indicator light could work well.
BUT "John Deere" I think, has been sued because they had refused to allow farmers to have information or to buy parts to do their own repairs.

I have seen SMALL toggle switches that could replace that momentary switch, and possibly also alternate action push buttons. Digikey used to have a great on-line catalog, but I have not seen it recently. It used to include specifications and even dimensions. If it still does, that could be rather useful, or at least educational. I know that ALCO used to have some alternate action push buttons that were small.

 

Digikey definitely has a wide assortment of switches for sure thats where I found the existing switch.
Here's a diagram of the wiring. I'll do a bit more digging in the manual and see what I can find.

 

Here is one more legend

 

How many wires are coming out of the "silver Box"? I would not be surprised if John Deere was using a j1939 data link to connect the control to the main hydraulic system controller. Can you get a wiring diagram for the machine?

 

I have diagrams there just not complete diagrams everything is broke up in the repair book.

 

There’s quite a few wires running in and out of that silver box.

 

It was fluke to find this scrolling through the manual but here is what the diagram shows.

 

OK, THIS is what we need to see! I am guessing that it is the
"auxilary function trigger switch" that is the momentary switch that you want to exchange for a maintained contact ON/OFF switch. That box evidently contains a bit of logic and two valve driver circuits. And not a shred of a clue as to what is inside. But it appears that an alternate action PB switch will provide the control operation that you are looking for. Mounting it inside the control handle will be the challenge because it normally mounts thru a panel. So it would be epoxy buld up time.

 

They make all kinds of these

Omron Electronics Inc-EMC Div

 

Yeah the aux function trigger switch is the one I want to change.
there is a spot in the joystick to add another button but running the wires down to the dash panel on a on/off toggle switch will be much easier and less chance of it getting accidentally hit on then on the top of the joystick.
Again it wouldn’t matter if it was accidentally switched on even if the mulcher wasn’t on the machine because it would just close the thumb and the aux hydraulic bypass is lower then the machine hydraulic bypass so it would stop as soon as it touched the bucket and not over power anything.
Also I misread some info apparently this switch takes priority if it’s pressed at the same time as the proportional switch.