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IBM XT style and similar paddle switches

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First post, by baaz11

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Hello everyone,

I'm wondering if anyone knows where I could buy "paddle" switches similar to the one of IBM XT and some x86 machines. Preferably with a housing so they don't protrude.

Image of a non-IBM PC that uses this type of on/off switch:
https://i.imgur.com/fG1D394.png

Image of a IBM XT power supply with the switch:
https://cdn11.bigcommerce.com/s-a1x7hg2jgk/im … 0254608.jpg?c=2

Or if anyone knows of any PCs/cases that use these type of on/off switches from the 286/386/486 era. I remember one PC case with such a switch from those days that was quite stylish, but I can't seem to find anything relatable to that.

Reply 2 of 8, by Miphee

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Look for red toggle switch in google images to find something similar and add a rocker switch frame.
With a little work you can achieve a relatively similar look.

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Reply 3 of 8, by imi

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I was lucky enough to get a handful of these over a decade ago in a scrap box full of electronics parts from ebay, I haven't seen them specifically anywhere, but you can find them attached to old PSUs sometimes.

Reply 4 of 8, by Miphee

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imi wrote:

I haven't seen them specifically anywhere, but you can find them attached to old PSUs some time.

Depending on where you live it can be a real challenge. I only managed to get one power supply from Germany with this kind of switch. These cases weren't very pouplar here and PSUs had the black rocker switch 99% of the time.

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Reply 6 of 8, by baaz11

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Also found the model IBM 6901 with a similar switch type.

IBM 6901 Img link:
https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/4uQAAOSwSk9cbDA~/s-l300.jpg

Does anyone have this Pc or some similar and could look up if there is any number on that switch? Been searching for an original out of the box switch but nada.

Reply 7 of 8, by imi

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I just went through my box, most of them are either totally unmarked or only have markings for rated voltage/current

but two of them have a brand on them "CHILY" and one of them even has some part numbers

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search on ebay for "CHILY 3031" or "CHILY 3041" they're plentyful, you're welcome 😀

Reply 8 of 8, by baaz11

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imi wrote:
I just went through my box, most of them are either totally unmarked or only have markings for rated voltage/current […]
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I just went through my box, most of them are either totally unmarked or only have markings for rated voltage/current

but two of them have a brand on them "CHILY" and one of them even has some part numbers

switch.jpg

search on ebay for "CHILY 3031" or "CHILY 3041" they're plentyful, you're welcome 😀

Thank you very much kind sir for that information! I hope I'll be able to find something. 😀 😀 😀

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