Help with the tactile switch please...

[gk7319]

Hi everyone! Been working on my first box and, while it is definitely UGLY and will be redone in a new box, I have a small problem. Let me back up a sec...

Ordered the 2x C batt box, 5v regulator, circuit board, 470 ohm resistor, & LED from madvapes. Wired it all up per the "Awesome 5 Volt 3xAAA Box mod" on the How To page. Fired it up and as soon as I hit the master On switch the Atty started burning.

I rechecked my wiring and all appears as it should be on the circuit board. The only thing that I can think of that may be done incorrectly is the tactile switch (if you are unfamiliar with the switch, its the same that Dreams n Chains used on the MadVapes Nico-Drip mod). The switch has 4 contact points and I soldered to two of them - picked at random as I could find no instructions for this switch.

Should I have done this differently? If not, then I will need to go over the design again, but I am pretty sure that I have it right.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks!
Greg

 

[hoogie76]

If you folded in the contacts on the switch, you would have two contacts. Each side is where you want to solder..

Make sure that the control pin doesn't have vcc going to it. It should be tied to ground to be off.

hoog

 

[gk7319]

Thanks for the quick reply!!

Actually, I soldered to two of the contacts and then snipped the other two. Would that cause it to bypass the tactile switch?

 

[5cardstud]

Ya you need to take an ohm meter and check which leg brakes on the off side of your switch. I had a similar problem and just eliminated the control leg of the regulator and it works great. You have to have a switch that will handle it though.

 

[hoogie76]

hmm. If you look at the switch and the contacts you snipped were on the same side it could cause it to be on all the time.. Hard to describe but think of it as each flat lead is a side of the switch.. On a positive note, at least your atty is tunring on, sounds very close

 

[gk7319]

Thanks Hoog! I appreciate the help. I will solder up another switch and tie the contact together in pairs.

I'll post if it all works out. In the meantime, time to pass out for the evening!

BTW, just placed another order for more parts. Love the site and damn if building these boxes ain't more addicting that smokes!!

Thanks again!
Greg

 

[four2109]

Just don't snip anything until you test it.

 

[gk7319]

Thanks 5card! I do not have any meters, but have been considering buying one. I can see where they'd be handy.

As I am new at this and VERY green, I am trying to stick with the diagrams that I have found on MV and here at ECF. When I get a little more comfortable, I will start branching out.

Have a good one!
Greg

 

[hoogie76]

I will start branching out.

Hopefully nobody will get hurt when we see the mushroom cloud

 

[5cardstud]

Thanks 5card! I do not have any meters, but have been considering buying one. I can see where they'd be handy.

As I am new at this and VERY green, I am trying to stick with the diagrams that I have found on MV and here at ECF. When I get a little more comfortable, I will start branching out.

Have a good one!
Greg

I'm new to this too I've done a couple now and I've got one thats fighting me every step of the way but I'm down to the last little deal and it will be done.
Oh and I got my battery hoog thank you.
My first box mod was perfect untill I started tweaking it and burnet the side with a soldering iron so I robbed all the parts off it now it's just a poor little burned up box laying there.

 

[dreams n chains]

Hi everyone! Been working on my first box and, while it is definitely UGLY and will be redone in a new box, I have a small problem. Let me back up a sec...

(snip)

The switch has 4 contact points and I soldered to two of them - picked at random as I could find no instructions for this switch.


(snip)

Hi gk7319! If your box is really "definitely UGLY" Then just throw in a MadVapes fast or slow color changing LED in there somewhere and it will become suddenly "mesmerizing". I don't know what MadVapes Magic Hoogie puts in those things but it works!

Of course I've been know to stare at shiny objects for long periods of time... maybe it's just me?

Good question on the switch. I made an info picture here for you that may help. It was good practice for me to re-awaken my Photoshop skills but, unfortunately, the finished product is not what I would create again.... now that my skills are re-awakened. Ha! Doing this will help me to finally post my upcoming "how-to".

Anyhow.... hope it does help you or anyone else bumping across this.

Oh.... and do buy a voltmeter...... they are great and make things so much easier/faster/thorough.

Best of Luck!

 

[gk7319]

Thanks to everyone (and Hoog, you are too funny)!

I haven't had time to get back to it yet but the photo from Dreams will help alot. I am going to tear the guts out of my current back and reshape/cut another. I want to rearrange the components a bit. I am going for a bottom feeding juice box on my first time out of the gate.

The next one I do, and hopefully this one will work, will be a molded box. Bought a kit yesterday for PVC molding and am looking forward to creating something other than a box with tip sticking out of it - like the Mahmba if it turns out right.

Thanks again to everyone!
Greg

 

[petercro]

Thanks to everyone (and Hoog, you are too funny)!

I haven't had time to get back to it yet but the photo from Dreams will help alot. I am going to tear the guts out of my current back and reshape/cut another. I want to rearrange the components a bit. I am going for a bottom feeding juice box on my first time out of the gate.

The next one I do, and hopefully this one will work, will be a molded box. Bought a kit yesterday for PVC molding and am looking forward to creating something other than a box with tip sticking out of it - like the Mahmba if it turns out right.

Thanks again to everyone!
Greg

Glad to see your going for bottom feeding!!!!!
Could you drop a link to the PVC molding kit.

Thanks
Petercro..................

 

[gk7319]

Hi Peter,

I picked it up at a local store but here is the info on line....

http://www.alumilite.com/ProdDetail.cfm?Category=Starter Kits&Name=Super Casting Kit

Haven't touched it yet as I am still trying to work out my first box mod, but this one is next if I survive build #1.

Now....my glue gun is hot, so back to it!

 

[gk7319]

By the way, I love that every day I log in and your avatar changes just a wee bit. You are cracking me up!

 

[petercro]

Thanks for the link
Hope you like the Elrond spock