SURFACE J68
REV.
DEC91
VEHICLE
400 Commonwealth Drive, Warrendale, PA 15096-0001
RECOMMENDED Issued 1979-10
PRACTICE Revised 1991-12
Superseding J68 OCT84
Submitted for recognition as an American National Standard
TESTS FOR SNOWMOBILE SWITCHING DEVICES AND COMPONENTS
Foreword—This Document has not changed other than to put it into the new SAE Technical Standards Board
Format.
1. Scope—This SAE Recommended Practice covers standardized basic tests, test methods, and requirements
applicable to electromechanical switching devices which may be used on snowmobiles as defined in SAE J33.
2. References
2.1 Applicable Publications—The following publications form a part of this specification to the extent specified
herein. The latest issue of SAE publications shall apply.
2.1.1 SAE PUBLICATIONS—Available from SAE, 400 Commonwealth Drive, Warrendale, PA 15096-0001.
SAE J33—Definitions for Snowmobiles
SAE J45—Brake System Test Procedure—Snowmobiles
SAE J575—Tests for Motor Vehicle Lighting Devices and Components
The following sections from SAE J575 are a part of this document.
a. Paragraph 2.1—Samples for Tests
b. Paragraph 2.2—Lamp Bulbs
c. Paragraph 2.3—Test Fixture
d. Section 3—Laboratory Facilities
e. Paragraph 4.1—Vibration Tests
f. Paragraph 4.4—Corrosion Test
NOTE—To expedite testing, separate switching device samples may be used for the vibration and corrosion
test.
SAE J1222—Speed Control Assurance for Snowmobiles
SAE Technical Standards Board Rules provide that: “This report is published by SAE to advance the state of technical and engineering sciences. The use of this report is entirely
voluntary, and its applicability and suitability for any particular use, including any patent infringement arising therefrom, is the sole responsibility of the user.”
SAE reviews each technical report at least every five years at which time it may be reaffirmed, revised, or cancelled. SAE invites your written comments and suggestions.
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Copyright 1991 Society of Automotive Engineers, Inc.
All rights reserved. Printed in U.S.A.
SAE J68 Revised DEC91
3. Definitions
3.1 Headlamp Beam Switch—A headlamp beam switch is a driver-controlled device used to select the high or
low beam headlamp circuit.
3.2 Headlamp Switch—A headlamp switch is a driver-controlled device used to activate headlights, taillights, and
certain marking lights.
3.3 Stop Lamp Switch—A stop lamp switch is a device used to energize the stop lamp circuit with the operator
actuation of the brake.
3.4 Accessory Switch—An accessory switch is a driver-controlled device used to activate accessories (i.e., hand
warmers, etc.).
3.5 Ignition System Switch—An ignition system switch is a device(s) used to interrupt engine ignition such as:
emergency shutoff switch, key switch, or speed control assurance device.
3.6 Starter Motor Switch—A starter motor switch is a driver-controlled device used to activate the starter motor.
4. High Temperature Test
4.1 Determine effect of high temperature on the basic function of the switching device.
4.1.1 The switching device shall be exposed to a temperature of 49 °C ± 3 °C (120 °F ± 5 °F) for a minimum of 2 h;
however, if the switching device is exposed to a higher temperature in service, then the device shall be tested
at this higher temperature. (Refer to 4.1.1.1.)
4.1.1.1 To determine the maximum temperature to which the switching device is exposed, the snowmobile shall be
operated for a minimum of 30 min under load, immediately followed by the fade and recovery test of
paragraph 6.5 of SAE J45 at a temperature of at least 10 °C (50 °F) and use this temperature to conduct
4.1.1. If a minimum ambient of 10 °C (50 °F) cannot be obtained, subtract the available ambient
temperature from 10 °C (50 °F) and add this difference to the maximum temperature to which the switching
device is exposed.
4.1.2 After conditioning per 4.1.1, the switching device, while still at 49 °C ± 3 °C (120 °F ± 5 °F) or the higher
service temperature, shall be manually cycled for 10 cycles per sequence requirements of Table 1. The
switching device shall be electrically and mechanically operable during and after each cycle.
4.1.3 The same switching device shall be used for the Low Temperature and Humidity Test, Section 5.
5. Low Temperature and Humidity Test
5.1 Determine effect of low temperature and high relative humidity on the basic function of the switching device.
5.1.1 The switching device shall be exposed to a temperature of −40 °C ± 3 °C (−40 °F ± 5 °F) for a minimum of 2 h
and then within no more than 2 min be exposed to a minimum relative humidity of 60% at a temperature of
21 °C ± 6 °C (70 °F ± 10 °F) for 30 min ± 10 min, after which the switching device shall be exposed again to
a temperature of −40 °C ± 3 °C (−40 °F ± 5 °F) for 2 h ± 30 min.
5.1.2 After conditioning per 5.1.1, the switching device, while still at −40 °C ± 3 °C (−40 °F ± 5 °F), shall be
manually cycled for 10 cycles per sequence requirements of Table 1. The switching device shall be
electrically and mechanically operable during and after each cycle.
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SAE J68 Revised DEC91
TABLE 1—ENDURANCE TEST AND REQUIREMENTS
Device Sequence Cycle Design Performance Requirements
Headlamp beam switch Hi-beam-Lo-beam-Hi-beam 10 000 The switch shall be designed so that
the headlight circuits are never
maintained open
Headlamp switch Off-on-off 5000
Brake light switch Off-on-off 50 000
Accessory switch Off-on-off 5000
Ignition system switch
Emergency shutoff switch On-off-on (Single throw switch) or 10 000
On-off-on-off-on (Dual throw switch)
Key switch On-off-on 5000 May include headlamp and start switch
Speed control assurance device
Passive (Device used only during
speed control malfunction) On-off-on 10 000 Refer to J1222
Active (Device actuated during
every operation of speed controller) Off-on-off 300 000
Starter motor switch Off-on-off 5000 Shall include solenoid if used
5.1.3 The same switching device shall be used for the Endurance Test, Section 6.
6. Endurance Test and Requirements
6.1 Determine effect of cycling on the basic function of the switching device.
6.1.1 The switch shall be operated at no less than the rated electrical load of the circuit it is switching (i.e.,
headlamp, stop lamp, ignition system, etc.). The test shall be run with DC except systems designed to
operate on AC only, which may be tested with AC.
6.1.1.1 The power supply shall not generate any adverse transients not present in the snowmobile and shall
comply with the following specifications:
a. Output Current—Capable of supplying output and inrush current as required in 6.1.1.
b. Regulator—DC supplies
Dynamic—The output voltage shall not deviate more than 1.0 V from zero to maximum load (including
inrush current). DC supplies should recover 63% of maximum excursion within 5 ms.
Static—The output voltage shall not deviate more than 2% with changes in static load (not including inrush
current) and means shall be provided to compensate for static line voltage variations.
Ripple Voltage—(DC supplies only) Maximum 300 MV peak to peak.
6.1.1.2 Speed control assurance devices actuated during every operation of the speed control shall be
mechanically sequenced 300 000 cycles, per Table 1. However, those same switching devices interrupting
their electrical load only during speed control malfunction shall have the electrical load applied only during
the last 10 000 of the total 300 000 cycles.
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SAE J68 Revised DEC91
6.1.2 The switch shall be subjected to an endurance test as specified in Table 1, at a temperature of 21 °C ± 6 °C
(70 °F ± 10 °F) and at a rate not exceeding 30 cycles/min.
a. Travel time—0.1 to 0.5 s maximum. (Time from one position to the next position.)
b. Dwell time—0.4 s minimum (in each position).
The switch shall be electrically and mechanically operable during and after this test.
6.1.3 The voltage drop from the input to output terminals of the switching device shall be measured before and
after the completion of the endurance test. This voltage drop shall not exceed 2% of the applied voltage at
the rated electrical load of the circuit as in 6.1.1. If the wiring is an integral part of the switching device, the
voltage drop measurement is to be made including 76 mm (3 in) of wire on each side of the switch terminals.
7. Notes
7.1 Marginal Indicia—The change bar (l) located in the left margin is for the convenience of the user in locating
areas where technical revisions have been made to the previous issue of the report. An (R) symbol to the left
of the document title indicates a complete revision of the report.
PREPARED BY THE SAE SNOWMOBILE COMMITTEE
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SAE J68 Revised DEC91
Rationale—The changes are as follows:
2.2.6 A starter motor switch is a driver-controlled device used to activate the starter motor.
Rationale—Editorial revision for improved clarity.
6.1.1.1 Static—The output voltage shall not deviate more than 2% with changes in static load (not
including inrush current) and means shall be provided to compensate for static line voltage variations.
Rationale—Editorial correction to add parenthesis.
6.1.1.2 Speed control assurance devices actuated during every operation of the speed control shall be
mechanically sequenced 300 000 cycles, per Table 1. However, those same switching devices
interrupting their electrical load only during speed control malfunction shall have the electrical load
applied only during the last 10 000 of the total 300 000 cycles.
Rationale—This additional paragraph adds clarity to Table 1 in the case that the speed control assurance
device (i.e., switch) acts as both an active and passive device. Designs of speed controller assurance
devices exist in which a switching device opens and closes each time the speed control is open and
closed. Yet that same switching device may interrupt the electrical load only when a speed controller
malfunction occurs.
Table 1—Refer to SAE J1222
Rationale—This was previously specified as IJXX indicating the appropriate SAE Recommended
Practice, Speed Control Assurance for Snowmobiles—SAE J1222, had not been completed.
Relationship of SAE Standard to ISO Standard—Not applicable.
Application—This SAE Recommended Practice covers standardized basic tests, test methods, and
requirements applicable to electromechanical switching devices which may be used on snowmobiles as
defined in SAE J33.
Reference Section
SAE J33—Definitions for Snowmobiles
SAE J45—Brake System Test Procedure—Snowmobiles
SAE J575—Tests for Motor Vehicle Lighting Devices and Components
SAE J1222—Speed Control Assurance for Snowmobiles
Developed by the SAE Snowmobile Committee
