Airbag Switches are not all alike
Today, car manufacturers are starting to make switches for their cars and trucks, but so far, they can be difficult to get installed because dealers are concerned about the liability of installing them. They also know that the systems are extremely sensitive, and don't have technicians with installation experience.
So far, most of the airbag switches being offered by manufacturers have only been for the passenger side of some of their own cars and trucks. These are mostly available only for two-seat vehicles, where a child passenger may have to ride in front. Some car manufacturers decided to offer airbag switches only for the passenger side of vehicles that can't fit a rear-facing child seat in back.
There are aftermarket switches available for either the driver or passenger airbag of virtually any vehicle on the market today. Some cars require special adapters that need to be installed with the switch.
NHTSA requires that the switch does not interfere with the normal functioning of the vehicle's airbag warning system (the airbag or SRS light on the instrument panel). Airbag Switches also must have a light to indicate when the airbag is turned Off; and a key or similar way to prevent unauthorized switching.
The new Gold Standard in Airbag Switches
Sensible Solutions LLC installs the leading universal switch that meets all NHTSA requirements. Our switches also do not contain any internal fuse and so will not need to be replaced after one detonation impulse.
Why Gold Contacts? Electronic engineers have understood for years that gold contacts are essential to prevent corrosion in applications where low current levels are switched. This is because Silver and other, less costly contact materials will tarnish over time, increasing internal resistance. When a switch transfers 30 milliamps of current or more, a tiny arc is created when the contacts open or close. That arc cleans the internal switch contacts to help eliminate the problem of corrosion. But if the circuit has less than 30 milliamps, as in an airbag circuit, corrosion will not be cleaned off the contacts during switching, and resistance will continue to build up on the contacts. Airbag circuits normally operate on far less than 10 milliamps of current. Eventually the resistance from tarnish will increase to the point that it effects the circuit. In an airbag system, this means that unless a switch uses gold contacts internally, it will eventually build up resistance and the airbag warning light on the instrument panel will stay on permanently. This means our airbag switches will continue to function far longer and more reliably than switches that use silver and other contact materials.
Some cars require an airbag switch that can control multistage airbags. These multistage airbags have two detonating devices; one for a low speed impact and the other for a higher speed impact. In the past there were airbags that used two detonating circuits, but they were not multistage. For either system, though, a multistage switch is needed to turn both detonators on or off simultaneously. Our switches will handle both stages and, in fact, even a three stage airbag circuit.
Over the last few years, we have installed thousands of airbag switches on all almost all makes and models of cars, vans and trucks. We use printed circuit board technology for quality control.and consistency in our switches.
(We have been told that one competitor, who still uses hand soldering is trying to claim that their technology is superior)
a PC Board based system
and Gold switch contacts for the
highest reliability
Switch dimensions: 1" X 2" X3"
At Sensible Solutions, we have installed most of the switches available today, but the universal switch is by far the most common type. It is readily available and fits virtually all vehicles.
Advantages of Sensible Solutions Switches:
1. These switches do NOT have internal fuses so they don't need replacing after one impulse from a crash sensor.
The only real purpose of a fuse in an airbag switch is to protect and enrich the manufacturer.
Once an airbag fuse blows, it can't be replaced and a new switch must be installed. The idea is that the fuse will show the airbag switch's position when an airbag detonation impulse occurs. Since any good attorney would be quick to point out that there is no way to say if the fuse had blown earlier, the rationale for a fuse is questionable. The question of whether the switch was turned off when the airbag detonated, would effect only the airbag switch manufacturer.
After an accident, simple circuit analysis can show the switch's position at the time of the accident, so there is really no need for a fuse in an airbag switch - except that the blown fuse forces a customer to buy another switch
Our airbag switches have no internal fuses.
2. Gold Contacts
A second advantage of airbag switches by Sensible Solutions is that they use Gold contacts (see explanation above and so will continue to work reliably year after year. These switches are the gold standard for airbag switches. One competitor has recently begun claiming to have adopted gold contacts in their switches as well.
Our switches fit the airbags of virtually all passenger vehicles today and are available to control either the driver or passenger airbag.
Our switches are the smallest aftermarket switches available today. we offer an optional remote indicator that adheres to the console or dash and allows the switch to be installed in the glove box or elsewhere out of sight while allowing the driver to see at a glance whether the switch has the airbag active or deactivated. This is less visible than the switch box, and is safer than mounting the switch where the key may impact the knee or leg during an accident. The remote indicator is black, about 3/4" in diameter and has a yellow LED (light) in the center.
3. RF (Radio Frequency) Filtering
The airbag detonation circuit is extremely sensitive. In recent years, most manufacturers have been twisting the detonation wires to reduce the chance of inductive reactance detonating the airbags. (Inductive reactance is current that can be induced by radio waves, etc. in a straight wire). The current that can detonate an airbag is so small that even using an ohm-meter on the circuit can detonate an airbag. The detonation, apart from being extremely dangerous because of its force, requires an expensive replacement of the airbag, dash, and in many cases, the windshield.
Sensible Solutions Airbag switches include a filter to prevent any current created by inductive reactance from reaching the airbag and causing an unintentional detonation. This is the only switch made that includes this RF filter (patent pending). Not only do some cars have a backup circuit to power the airbag, but inductive reactance, static electricity or capacitance in the circuit can also set off a bag accidentally.
This is especially important in Police and emergency vehicles or where Radio Frequency signals are transmitted near an airbag circuit., but since radio waves can't be predicted, airbag switches by Sensible Solutions give an important extra measure of safety for all vehicles.
Other switches:
Some of the car manufacturers have made airbag switches but they are only for certain models and usually the car dealers will not install them because of potential liability. Car Dealers will replace airbags or airbag system components such as crash sensors or harnesses, but will not work on modifying the airbag system. Most dealers understand that airbags are a specialty and they have nobody trained to work on them. Since they are a powerful explosive, this is not the place for experimentation and testing. The Ford airbag switches that are available for trucks require reprogramming of the control module if a switch is installed. Most Ford or GM dealers will not install a switch and if something goes wrong with the airbag system once a Ford or GM switch is installed by someone else, they will refuse to work on the system.
One aftermarket switch company on the internet has taken a standard GM switch and is trying to market it for use in any vehicle. Unfortunately, these switches won't work in many vehicles, and there is no way to get the seller on the phone to answer questions.
There is also a manufacturer of aftermarket switches with non-replaceable fuses in them that require replacement of the entire switch once there is a detonation impulse. These switches also have no circuit to prevent induced current from radio waves.
at 877-773-7908 or 301-473-7908
or click here to order
for more information about airbag switches, visit our home page