are momentary switches created equal?

[bizmitchel]

So I was thinking about starting to make a first mod project, and I don't know if this is covered anywhere else, I tried searching with no luck but are momentary switches equal?

Is there any differences between kinds of momentary switches. Is there a specific volt or amp of switch I should shoot for? Is there any brands of momentary switches to stay away from or that are best to buy due to long lasting or durability?

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Thanks everyone in advance

 

[jmarkus]

as long as its rated for the project youre doing you should be good to go. it all depends on how many amps youre pushing...3-5 amp switch might do the trick. some switches are rated to be more durable, some waterproof....some are much bigger, some are tiny...

 

[asdaq]

To answer your question, yes they are all momentary, until they aren't.

Try to get at least a 3A rating get DC rated if possible as it is more demanding, and the beefiness of the contacts is a good indication of how durable the internals are. If it must be small have a look at a 3A Omron micro switch. Damn thing won't fully die on me.

 

[bizmitchel]

you guys are awesome this is why I love this place ty..........

edit: any link to the 3A Omiron Micro? What about big button, what would be a good recommended long lasting switch for a standard 3.7 v mod?

 

[jmarkus]

lots to choose from here, you can prolly get em cheaper somewhere else, but a good start.
Button Switches, Push Button Switches | MadVapes

this one is super durable and rated at 5amp:
Horn Style Switch, Chrome

nkk 3amp:
NKK 3A Red Push Button Switch

 

[asdaq]

http://octopart.com/d2f-01l-omron-36780

For a big switch, an anti-vandal 5A(?) is hard to beat, but I'm not sure for the link. 7-9 bucks at Digi-key though.

 

[westy78]

What about operating cycles? One switch I've been looking at, for example, is rated for 100,000 cycles. Seems to me that might only be a year or two of use for some.

Anybody with a puff counter wanna chime in? What is your daily puff count and how many ml/day?

Sure would be a pita to remove and replace a small switch that's been epoxied into a case...

 

[WillyB]

What about operating cycles? One switch I've been looking at, for example, is rated for 100,000 cycles. Seems to me that might only be a year or two of use for some.

I'd avoid that thumb denter cuz of the 300 gram activation force.

 

[westy78]

Is the 100g variety preferred? Maybe I should just order both and see...

 

[WillyB]

Is the 100g variety preferred? Maybe I should just order both and see...

Shoot for the 200 gr.

 

[WillyB]

What about operating cycles?

That is an interesting concern.

Nuck went thru a few revisions (and years) before he released his Fistpack for sale.

This was his choice of switch (used with a mosfet).

39-401 BLK Grayhill Inc | GH1349-ND | DigiKey

Electrical Life 1,000,000 Cycles

Not cute though.

 

[bizmitchel]

interersting; it always drivers me nuts to see things engineered to last cycles or time, What ever happened to building things instead of engineering. My thoughts on 1000000 cycles is I hate when they make it look like something lasts longer when its engineered to fall apart sooner. When I worked on garage doors our company would sell standard 20000 cycle springs to most consumers (like all other garage door installers would do) but on request for 60 dollars more would install 100000 cycle springs on for them instead. Whats the point of 20000 cycle springs except to take your money more often. Sorry just my rant and rave. I feel if we all performed our jobs to our true best of our ability (built things to last forever like we used to) we as a planet would be far more advanced than we are now because we wouldn't have to constantly be buying the same products again and would be able to further efforts towards new matters and issues around us that need resolved.....