On-off footswitch

REMOTE SWITCH

Wow, that is cool! I don't think I'd personally buy one of those, but it's still cool. I think the only downside is he's looking for a footswitch, and while he could hit it with a toe, I think the remote wouldn't hold up too well.

What you might want to do is get a FS-400 System. It's designed for up to 4 fixtures, but it is more ideally aimed at ParCans. Or, if the DP-DMX4B is not per channel selectable between dimming or switching, you could substitute teh FC-400 system for a FC-400 controller and a DP-DMX20L since the new ones are selectable per channel.

You have a few options, which is good. The FC-400 is a big expensive but it's durable, proven, reliable and also simple. It works and it works really good. I don't have one, but I don't need a foot controller application in my environment.

Thanks for the responses. No doubt that the remote switch is cool...but I need to have my hands free to play. I'd probably just end up smashing it accidently if I tried to hit it with a toe. Chris, I actually thought about the FC-400, but it's bit expensive for what I'm wanting to do. It gets great reviews, and would certainly leave room for expanding though. Ideally what I need is a footswitch version of the PC-4.

After much searching, I did find this footswitch on the internet.

Footswitch

It looks like the S420-1001 will do the job. What do you think?

Well, first off, it's obvious you're reading the descriptionof the item before making decisions. For those who follow the link, please note that Randy has specificed a MAINTAINED switch, rather than a momentary. Randy is looking at a correct application, where he'd stomp the switch and it would stay ON until he stomps it again to turn the unit off.

I'm not sure if this is the best solution from a wiring perspective though. It appears the switch has to be plugged in first, and then the light into the switch. So, you need to think about your wiring plan. You'd have to take a lead DOWN from your light position to where the plug on the switch is, and then run power to the switch plug. Outside of that, it really sounds like it should otherwise work. They are talking about light duty(low draw) stuff but in my opinion, a welder is heavy duty stuff.

My second concern with what you've found is it sounds like this pedal is also "light duty" as in most likely made with parts not intended for the rigors of gigging. I like how they are saying this is an all-steel case and construction with powder-painted finish. This should mean it should handle years of use without too many signs of wear.

I have to wonder why they define as light duty. I think as far as addressing your electrical needs and your application, I think you've found a winning solution. I'd call them up and talk to them about the long-term durability. Since hopefully you're an actively working musician, they'll understand your long term durability needs and will be able to respond with an answer that is acceptable.

I like their description for turning off your AV center. I'm inclined to buy one that I can hide under my home theater gear and attach to the tile floor with double-sided carpet tape and then tape off before I go to bed at night, and then back on in the morning.

Now, if it was me, I'd go to the S420-1501 because it has 15-amp capacity even though I know my home theater doesn't draw that much. For your applicatoin, yoiu can easily get by with the S420-1001, which is rated for 10 amps. You don't really save that much money though.

ADJ makes an older remote power switch unit, which if modified, would be more ideal. Instead of rocker switches, they could add a board with foot switches. I think this is a discontinued item and would cost a lot more than what you've discovered.

You also have this thing to think about: This system won't really grow with you too much. At some point you may want to get into a real controller and dimmer/switching packs and other nifty stuff. For less than $25/pedal, it's not a big loss in investment should you phase these out of your rig. Unlike the FC-400, which at a rather higher entry point, would hurt when it comes time to replace it or upgrade beyond it.

Other ideas could be to bundle 4 pedals together using whatever you want to use(tie-wraps, split loom cable covers) and color code them. You could build a bundle of 4 for less than $100, then add additional power cables to stretch to the appropriate fixtures, and you've got the GFS-400(Gheto Foot Switch 400)! Of course, you don't get the full functionality of an FC-400, but you get the low-end benefits.

I think your idea can work out quite well.

Chris, thanks for taking the time to look at that switch. I really appreciate your response. I'm going to take your advice and contact them, and will likely go ahead and order the footswitch. I'll post back here with how it works out, maybe it will be helpful for someone else.

This switch perked my interest as well. I was hoping they had a model of the S420-1501 but hinged in the back. I figured they would just have to exchange a momentary with a latching switch. Easy, right?

Nope... Because via emails I discovered it does not operate like a ball point pen, i.e. not a 'press toe for on' and 'press toe for off'.

Instead, the switch operates in a 'press toe for on' and 'press heel for off' like a big rocker switch. Not sure I'd want to deal with that onstage.

Anybody got any other ideas?