A what?

Garth84x · Post by **Garth84x** » Sun May 04, 2008 5:10 pm

can ayone tell me what a otter switch is for? (think that's what it's called)

it's on my intake manifold, what does it connect to also?

garry

Post by **katanaman** » Sun May 04, 2008 6:11 pm

its a thermostatic bimetallic switch. They are usually found in the radiator on cars to control the electric rad fan. Otter is just the manufacturer like everyone calls a hoover a hoover instead of vacuum cleaner. You must have a 4x4 engine?

mgbv8 · Post by **mgbv8** » Sun May 04, 2008 8:56 pm

The otter switch was also used to control the rad fans on the early MGB V8 engines.
Its not very reliable. I scrapped mine and stuck a decent adjustable in line sensor in the top hose to control my fans via a relay.

RoverP6B · Post by **RoverP6B** » Mon May 05, 2008 8:18 am

The Otto switch also appeared in the inlet manifold of the Rover P6B.

Its purpose in this case was to act as a choke warning light switch.

When the temperature of the engine reached a certain point, an orange light on the dash would illuminate, thus indicating to the driver that the choke was still out.

Ron.

ChrisJC · Post by **ChrisJC** » Mon May 05, 2008 12:40 pm

Otter Controls are based in Buxton:
http://www.ottercontrols.com/products.php

It would be a mistake to try to use the choke warning light sensor to control some electric fans (without a relay!) And the temperature would almost certainly be set incorrectly.

Chris.

ppyvabw · Post by **ppyvabw** » Wed May 07, 2008 9:39 pm

mgbv8 wrote:The otter switch was also used to control the rad fans on the early MGB V8 engines.
Its not very reliable. I scrapped mine and stuck a decent adjustable in line sensor in the top hose to control my fans via a relay.

I agree there about the fan switch thing. I think mine is going for a poop for the second time in 18 months, fans not always coming on.

Don't like the adjustable ones with a copper transducer thing you stick down the side of the hose, tis so nasty and bodgy in my mind. An inline one in the top hose is much better. I'm tempted to do that on mine.

TVRTASMIN · Post by **TVRTASMIN** » Thu May 15, 2008 7:29 am

RoverP6B wrote:The Otto switch also appeared in the inlet manifold of the Rover P6B.

Its purpose in this case was to act as a choke warning light switch.

When the temperature of the engine reached a certain point, an orange light on the dash would illuminate, thus indicating to the driver that the choke was still out.

Ron.

The Otter switch also appeared on the much earlier Rover P4.