Airbag Switches Compared

Airbag Switches for Fleet Vehicles
	Protect your officers and your investment
	Airbag Switches Compared

There are two types of Airbag: single and multi-stage

Single Stage airbag switches control one detonator, while multistage switches control two detonators.

All Crown Vics, Chevy Impalas and Chrysler Sebrings made from 2001 on had multistage airbag systems for the driver and passenger airbags. Before that, all used single stage systems.

The front airbags (those in front of a driver or passenger in the front seat) are regulated in all vehicles. NHTSA will give permission for disconnection or an Airbag on/off Switch; particularly when a laptop computer is mounted in front of the passenger airbag.

Side Curtain Airbags

On the other hand, all curtain airbags made to date are single stage. Recently there has been considerable attention to the problem with curtain airbags when mounted above prisoner partitions. We offer two alternatives for turning off curtain airbags: either an Airbag Switch or a Simulator that keeps the airbag monitoring system functioning properly even after disconnection. Since the Simulator is much less expensive, many departments prefer it to an airbag switch. After all, there is no reason to have the curtain airbag active as long as there is a prisoner partition in the vehicle.

Side and curtain airbags are not regulated and do not need permission for disconnection or a switch.

Two manufacturers of aftermarket Airbag Switches

Our airbag switches have several clear advantages, which make them the preferred choice of engineers and technicians who investigate Airbag Switches. These include:

	Our Airbag Switches can be re-used in the next vehicle. Instead of having to purchase another switch when you change vehicles, you can reuse our switches. Or if you buy a different manufacturer's vehicle, you can buy an inexpensive replacement harness that fits the new vehicle.
	Snap together connectors for easy and secure installation. Instead of wire ties, our Ford harnesses snap securely into place with the Crown Vic's existing harness.
	No internal fuses for longer life. Vehicles remain in service rather than having to be out of service while a new switch is installed. Since there are no internal fuses to burn out when there is a detonation impulse, our switches continue to function as required by NHTSA. There is no reason for a fuse, since it would not help determine the switch's position during a detonation, but if a customer wants one, we can provide it.

	Gold internal contacts eliminate corrosion for longer life. The reason for gold contacts is to eliminate the effects of corrosion on the switch contacts because the gradual build-up of corrosion will increase circuit resistance and soon the switch will need to be replaced in order to function properly. To solder a switch with gold contacts, the soldering temperature has to be carefully controlled. Otherwise, pitting on the internal contacts will cause early failure of the airbag switch. This solder temperature can be accurately controlled during printed circuit board production, but not reliably with hand soldering. Since our switches are the only ones made using PC board technology, they are more reliable and will last longer.
	One yellow light to show when airbag is off, as required by the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards 208 section XI s595.5(FMVSS) - less confusing for operators since when a light is illuminated on the airbag switch, one light clearly indicates the switch's position. With more than one light, customers tell us that it is difficult to tell which light on the switch is on at night.
	Made in USA—Meet all NHTSA requirements
	Five year warranty
	Smaller than competitive airbag switches

Disconnection vs. an Airbag Switch

Disconnection by itself will cause the airbag warning light on the instrument panel to stay on or blink permanently. The problem with this is that the car is now out of compliance with the FMVSS and also, the light now no longer functions to show other problems that may arise in the airbag system.

NHTSA gives permission for either disconnection or an airbag switch.

For disconnection, we have Simulators cost about 25% of an airbag switch and take about two minutes to install or remove.

Simulators just plug into the existing wiring harness, and can be keep the airbag monitoring system functioning normally.

If you need to turn the airbag on and off, you need to consider an airbag switch. Our switches are key operated and meet all federal requirements.

Clearly, our switches and simulators offer the best value.

Call us today for a quote.

Sensible Solutions LLC
7301 Brookside Drive
Frederick, MD 21702

local 301-437-7908
toll free: 877-773-7908
Fax: 301-473-4829

Sensible Soluitions - the Leader in Airbag Switches

Airbag Switches for Fleet Vehicles

There are two types of Airbag: single and multi-stage

Two manufacturers of aftermarket Airbag Switches

Our Airbag Switches can be re-used in the next vehicle. Instead of having to purchase another switch when you change vehicles, you can reuse our switches. Or if you buy a different manufacturer's vehicle, you can buy an inexpensive replacement harness that fits the new vehicle.

Snap together connectors for easy and secure installation. Instead of wire ties, our Ford harnesses snap securely into place with the Crown Vic's existing harness.

Five year warranty

Smaller than competitive airbag switches