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04-03-2018, 06:03 PM #16000 RPM
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30th Anniversary Of The Roll-Over Kill Switch
San Dimas CA, 1988: 20-25 entrants were headed to Frank G. Bonelli reservoir for the first IOGP race of the year. Race format was a little different than a standard IOGP race as the Mod VPs were not on the menu for this one. The course had flat fast water in a trapezoid shape with 90 degree turns at each corner. Reinforced cockpits had been around for 2 or 3 years but the concept of a rollover kill switch was more conversation than reality. The APBA safety committee mandated that the 1988 season would require rollover switches. So, here were all these racers headed to San Dimas preparing to test on Friday with no clue what to do for a functional rollover switch. Some guys were trying to use dead weights tied to the cup of a conventional kill switch while others were trying to get liquid mercury switches from fishing motors to work. Gary Garbrecht (safety committee chairman at the time) made it clear: no rollover switches = no race. The only rollover switch we had seen up to that time was a contraption the V8 guys (2nd Effort) were using that had weights that swung on an armature somehow. With a $300 price tag for a "switch" there weren't many people lining up to buy one. The Seebold family team (Bud Light) showed up early in the week but Mike Seebold stayed behind in Fenton MO to work on "something" and would catch up with everyone on Thursday. Mike showed up in the pits Thursday morning with a suitcase full of what we get around to lovingly call "pipe bombs". The rollover switch was so ingeniously simple in design and function we all were thinking "why didn't we think of that?!". The "pipe bomb" consisted of a 10 inch long 1.25 inch DIA PVC pipe with a cap glued onto one end. Inside the pipe was a 1 inch ball bearing or fishing weight. The weight was "trapped" at the other end of the pipe with a automotive toggle switch with the toggle pointed into the hollow of the pipe. Mike's "inventory" was cleaned out in minutes and those who came up short were off to the auto parts and hardware stores to make their own "pipe bombs". We were back in business for testing on Friday. The switches were first mounted in the aft combing board areas under the rear cowling near the engine but we quickly learned that an accidental "wheel hop" on the trailer ramp or rough water would trip the switch. Eventually, the switches would find their way home right in the cockpit and could serve as an "ignition off" switch instead of a dash mounted switch. The configuration of the switch would evolve further with double throw / double pole switches to disable the ignition circuit and cut power to the starter solenoid, trim and fuel pumps. I even had one rigged with a big "idiot light" in the dash to indicate the switch had been accidentally tripped, but also a nice way to light up the cockpit in case of a blow over or barrel roll?
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10-13-2019, 10:40 AM #25000 RPM
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Does anyone have a picture of this kill switch?
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10-13-2019, 12:15 PM #3
PM your phone # and I will text you a pic.
Team Junk
No sparkling wiggles in here, only dump truck grinches.
"Screamin Heathen"
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10-13-2019, 12:34 PM #4
Funny how that was designed, on Honda Motorcycles they have today what is called a bank angle switch that does the same if the motorcycle is on its side or upside down, it is a large ball bearing with contacts in a heavy liquid so going over bumps will not accidentally trip it, we had a recall on them once as the liquid was seeping out of them and on rough roads they would trip. Seems like this was where they may have evolved from.
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10-13-2019, 04:36 PM #5
Here is the one that was in my boat. I am sure there are more sophisticated versions. Think mine actually has an old air chuck for the slide.
RockTeam Junk
No sparkling wiggles in here, only dump truck grinches.
"Screamin Heathen"
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SCT liked this post
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10-13-2019, 09:55 PM #65000 RPM
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Rock thanks
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