Help with switches!!!

[dmohn28]

Several weeks ago, I put together a 6v nicostick using a ti ptn04050 booster chip. Since then, I have gone through about 6 different switches.

I have tried the cheap n/o momentary switches, tactile switches, and now I'm trying spst push on - off type. I actually prefer the non momentary switches, but I can't keep one going for my life. I am averaging 3 to 4 days on these switches right now.

I have been using exclusively Radioshack switches, and I suspect that might be the problem, but I don't know.

 

[Nuck]

Several weeks ago, I put together a 6v nicostick using a ti ptn04050 booster chip. Since then, I have gone through about 6 different switches.

I have tried the cheap n/o momentary switches, tactile switches, and now I'm trying spst push on - off type. I actually prefer the non momentary switches, but I can't keep one going for my life. I am averaging 3 to 4 days on these switches right now.

I have been using exclusively Radioshack switches, and I suspect that might be the problem, but I don't know.

Unless the switch is rated for a minimum of 2amps you should add a mosfet to the circuit. It will stop the switch carnage

 

[MastiffMike]

I was just at RS yesterday and picked up a few things. I noticed these switches (275-1571 & 275-1547) are both .5 Amp. Switches 275-644 and 275-1555 are 3 Amp.

madvapes (and other places) have switches from <.5 Amp to >6 Amp. It seems though that the switch has to get bigger as the Amps go up

I did notice that some of the switches at MVs are rated 2 or 3 amp and the same size as the
.5 Amp RS switches. So just look around and avoid the <2 Amp ones!

I have some .5 Amp switches I LOVE but am afraid to use b/c of longevity issues but I do have a sweet 6 Amp dual-rocker switch I'm gonna use soon!

 

[Jason365]

What rocker switch, I had been wanting to get one. Is it momentary? Like spring back to off after you let go.

Jason

 

[MastiffMike]

The rocker is Awesome! It's a dual and one is momentary (for vaping) and the other isn't (for master on/off). I wish it was a hair smaller in size though. The feel of it is very nice (though a tad firmer than my normal push-buttons), and a nice click to the on/off.

The rocker I have is the RS-127 here:
DUAL ROCKER SWITCH, SPST & SPDT MOMENTARY | AllElectronics.com

Note: Item in picture is actually smaller than it appears in the picture!

Back to the OP question - Madvapes LDO 5v regulator allows you to use any switch you want w/o worrying about it burning up since it has a control pin!

 

[Jason_in_nc]

I'm not sure where to ask this, but have any of you made an automatic battery?

I really wanna build my own e-pipe and do not want a manual.

Thanks!

 

[quasimod]

[...] have any of you made an automatic battery? [...]

Not on purpose...

 

[Ralph Hilton]

Here's an automatic mod. I tried with a pressure switch but it was too fiddly so this uses a small mouth activated touch switch.

Its built on easily available 0.1" stripboard.

The components are quite small so I've added wires to them first. The op amp is on the left and the mosfet is the smaller chip on the right.

A soldering iron with a fine tip is needed.

And a magnifier is almost essential.

A third hand holds the op amp for connecting wires to it.

Then the amp is wired on the board.

And the mosfet above it.

Then the resistors are added.

A cut in the board is needed on the other side.

Next the connecting wires red +ve black -ve blue to atty and yellow to the sensor.

If that seems a bit too fiddly here is an earlier version with larger components in a bigger box.

Here's the first one I made earlier in a tin case. I put the circuit board in hot glue for protection.
For easier wiring the case is positive and acts as a return for the sensor.

The sensor itself is just a small piece of brass rod.

 

[MastiffMike]

Ralph,

That's awesome! Though I prefer manual over auto I'm impressed. As a guy who's only built 1 mod so far (and that was my first/only experience soldering!) I'm blown away by what you modders can do!

 

[crazyhorse]

Warp1900 posted a link to some good switches that are dirt cheap. He did this quite a few months ago. Not sure how to find the post but if I can figure out how to find in in a search, I'll post it.

My solution to the switch problem was quit using them and go with manually operated circuits with no wires.

 

[crazyhorse]

Here you go. 50¢ each. 45¢ if you buy 10.
SparkFun Electronics - Momentary Push Button Switch - 12mm Square

 

[dmohn28]

My solution to the switch problem was quit using them and go with manually operated circuits with no wires.

That's about where I'm headed!

 

[makdevo]

I build and use 5V nic sticks. Love them, hate RS switches.

I have bee using this little push button and they have been holding up well.

Here is a link

Jameco Electronics Electromechanical: MOUNTAIN SWITCH: MS-402-RED

 

[Nuck]

I build and use 5V nic sticks. Love them, hate RS switches.

I have bee using this little push button and they have been holding up well.

Here is a link

Jameco Electronics Electromechanical: MOUNTAIN SWITCH: MS-402-RED

Those are rated for 0.5amp. At 5v you are pulling over 2.2 amps with a 510.

There are a ton of cheap n-channel mosfets that will protect the switch and allow modders to use pretty much any switch and will extend the life of the switch to it it's max potential.

There are small and easy to use. The switch will pull almost no current (micro amps) when using a mosfet.

 

[FizzleFisch]

Question for you Nuck

..just outta' curiosity...which particular mosfets have you been liking to use
on your projects mostly?

fisch

 

[Nuck]

Question for you Nuck

..just outta' curiosity...which particular mosfets have you been liking to use
on your projects mostly?

fisch

I've used a few different types. My last order I grabbed these:

Digi-Key - IRLU3114ZPBF-ND (Manufacturer - IRLU3114ZPBF)

They are small but still large enough that my old man eyes don't bleed.

 

[DVS]

Those are rated for 0.5amp. At 5v you are pulling over 2.2 amps with a 510.

There are a ton of cheap n-channel mosfets that will protect the switch and allow modders to use pretty much any switch and will extend the life of the switch to it it's max potential.

There are small and easy to use. The switch will pull almost no current (micro amps) when using a mosfet.

Those switches are rated for 125 volts, as are RS. So at 5 volts that .5amp @ 125 volts switch is plenty enough.

 

[Nuck]

Those switches are rated for 125 volts, as are RS. So at 5 volts that .5amp @ 125 volts switch is plenty enough.

It doesn't work that way. The DC supply would reduce the maximum voltage to around 30v (its not specified on the datasheet) but even then you can't count on it. Exceeding either the voltage OR the current seems to reduce the life dramatically. I'm not sure why but based on experience it definitely does.

 

[FizzleFisch]

I've used a few different types. My last order I grabbed these:

Digi-Key - IRLU3114ZPBF-ND (Manufacturer - IRLU3114ZPBF)

They are small but still large enough that my old man eyes don't bleed.

Hey thanks for that! - Yeah they're pretty small at alright (<7mm sq.)...
...but I think I can still work with 'em too. -- Just about right though for those small 2XAAA or 1XA batt-boxes.

Rds & Id specs are also way better than what I had scrounged up from a couple of old parts drawers here.

Boy...can I ever relate to the "old-man eyes" reference.

Again thanks!

fisch

 

[dmohn28]

Those are rated for 0.5amp. At 5v you are pulling over 2.2 amps with a 510.

There are a ton of cheap n-channel mosfets that will protect the switch and allow modders to use pretty much any switch and will extend the life of the switch to it it's max potential.

There are small and easy to use. The switch will pull almost no current (micro amps) when using a mosfet.

So I've never used a mosfet. Just to be sure.... I would wire from power source -> mosfet -> switch-> atty. Is that right? AND, does the mosfet have any effect on the voltage?

I currently run 6.2 volts using two 14500's in parallel with a TI ptn04050 booster.