1) Hide one behind an aluminum or plastic panel for completely invisible control. What could
possibly be better than snoops not knowing where the switch is than them never even knowing there is a
switch! A magnet concealed in a stuffed toy on top of your computer can allow access when discretely placed
over the hidden switch. Move the toy back an inch when you go on break and the snoops will never catch on.
2) Here's a real FUN use. I used one as a secret reset in a custom PANIC BUTTON box. I left
it laying around for impulsive victims to press the big red button and trigger the alarm. The small aluminum box was
riveted shut so they had no clue on how to turn the !%#@*& thing off. [ I drilled out the rivets to replace the battery when
necessary.] My unsuspecting dad set it off when I was out. Frustrated, he stuffed it under the sofa to muffle it until I
rescued him. Another time, I was stumped when I found it buzzing away on my testbench when I arrived at work one
morning. Several days later, the night security guard confessed to falling victim during his building rounds. Label the
button: 'Do NOT Press,' 'In Case of Panic Press Here,' or simply 'Press Here.' What would you suggest?
This basic PANIC Button Schematic is intended for reference only. I built it with a
T106D SCR. Parts are not critical, but minor adjustments may be neccessary depending on your SCR and Siren. This
auction is for the magnetic switches only.
Even more fun, if you can believe it: I built a more advanced Panic Button by adding several dummy switches. But the
real kicker was a tiny hole in the back that, with a toothpick, you could reach a small push button that would turn it
off....finally. Imagine the pride of my victims who thought they had outsmarted me. Yes, that switch would shut it off ... but
it was a trick that triggered a NE555 timer to silence it for 30 seconds. The more persistent of the victims just
knew there was some secret switch sequence. I taped a magnet to my arm, under my sleeve. Discretely brushing
the box against my arm to shut it off, I'd make some distracting hocus-pocus moves. I stumped everyone. Nobody ever
figured it out. Nobody.
3) Hang a magnet on your key chain and hide a magnetic switch behind the tinted glass or a fiberglass fender to
arm/disarm your car alarm. [Or, mount it at your pants pocket level, and put a stronger magnet in your pocket and just
brush up against the fender.]
4) Glue a magnet to a rotating shaft, wheel, etc. and position the magnetic switch to count rotations.
5) Hold a séance with a magnet taped to your arm underneath your sleeve. Lay your hands on the table and with the
help of a hidden switch below, the lights will flicker. (Caution: the lights might flicker anyway if the spirits are in a playful
mood.)
6) Stick a magnet to your Model Train Engine and mount a switch between the tracks for a train approach indicator at
street crossings.
7) Build a wind direction indicator.
8) Hidden garage door opener. Carry an old speaker magnet in your pocket when working out in the garden.
9) Float a magnet in a fuel tank and make an external level monitor with spaced switches. Keeps the electricity out of the
tank.