Mechanical Protege Switch quirky?...

[Wench]

Got mine in today. I slid my tact switch out and the mechanical one in...
didn't work... long story short and 1 1/2 hr's later of checking connection's, voltmeter etc... it seems that in order to work I have to have the adapter on really loose. And when I say loose.. really, really loose and then it's sometimes hit or miss if it gets contact to fire the atty or not.
Seems quirky on how you push it..
Any tips or advice to tweak it or is this normal..?

 

[Ann]

I got 2 switches. Mine don't work. The exact same thing as you described, Wench. One will not work at all.
Mine don't even look like the ones they have on the website. The spring in mine looks like it came off an ink pen. The metal band around the button looks like copper, not like the website pic. I sent an email to them.

 

[lotus14]

That's disturbing. Steve mentioned to me that you have press firmly to get 'em to fire. Maybe a little Noalox?

 

[Johnny 5]

I should be getting mine on Monday. Hopefully, I'll have better luck.

 

[Rezo]

I'd say i'm glad not to be the only one, but... Same issue here. got my usb extension and 1 mechanical switch. Plopped in, and can't sem to get any contact at all. Same copper looking contact piece, not like the website. Plus the contacts for the battery and atty are silver instead of the brass looking ones. First thing i've gotten from them that hasn't immediately worked... I thought maybe i was doing something wrong, so it's good to know i'm not just being an idiot. Hopefully when casey responds to my query, it'll be an "Oh, just do this" fix... Usb extension workin' fantastic at least..

 

[Rezo]

actuallly.. i just tried, belatedly screwing the adaptor on really loose... and that worked but only when i pressed in and down in just the perfect manner. Any tighter or looser and it stopped working. Really strange. I wonder if this is a bad batch that is off just slightly in the specs or something...

 

[Okie]

Rezo, same here. I got the switches Sat. and found the same thing, if
the adpt. is loose the switch works if you push it just right you can get
it to fire. I got four of them and they all work the same way.....

 

[Ultimist]

Strange that Steve hasn't chimed in yet to help you guys with this. Hopefully he will by Monday.

 

[Wench]

Well at least it isn't just me lmao
I'm back to using my tact switch because the mechanical is so picky...

 

[Rezo]

you wouldn't think the new one would be so picky. I ordered it because the tact switch was starting to glitch. Hope this gets resolved before it goes completely. I'd hate to have to go back to normal 510's now that my protege has spoiled me, even if only for a bit..

 

[CaSHMeRe]

Hey Guys ... Meant to go over some things with the Mechanical Switch.

There is no way they *can't* work, but they can take several days to adjust to -- it did for me atleast When you press the mechanical switch, it needs a much firmer press than your standard cheapo tact switch. A tact switch gives a *pop* feeling from the blue dome that snaps up and down. The mechanical switch has a contact ring -- that contact ring when firmly pressed, connects 2 contact posts. Over 24/48 hours, the switch seems to -break in- Mine got easier or atleast I got used to having to press the button firmer than before. What I found was that it was easier for the first day or two to use the middle nuckle of my thumb to press.

So ... My suggestion -- Connect an atomizer. With your thumb press the switch down with the atomizer next to you ear. Play with the switch to find out exactly how firm you need to press to activate. You will notice when you first press, you will feel what seems like the throw stops -- Give it a small extra -umph- with your finger and you will feel/hear it activate.

 

[Rezo]

So i'm just not pressing hard enough? figures.. I guess now that i think about, I expect my speaker cables and crossovers to break in, dunno why it didn't occur to me that this might need to break in. I'll play around with the switch after work, put on some Satie and pour it a scotch and convince it to play nice.

Does it, once broken in still require the added pressure? I won't damage it by pressing too hard? that's been my concern with the tact switches. sometimes i really had to grind it down to get a hit.

thanks for the reply though, lat night i turned down hand rolled home grown tobacco, because although it smelled incredible, my protege has completely annihilated my interest in smoking anything. Never thought that would happen.

 

[CaSHMeRe]

Hey Rezo! Yeah, it does take a bit of breaking in a seating correctly. You will always need to press a bit firmer than your standard tact switch, BUT, it won't need the added pressure like the first couple days. It essentially all lines up over time - which is odd - but understandable. The first time I used mine - it was on my way home from the shop -- 10 minutes in to my drive I was ...... - put my tact switch back in and thought WTH!!!! When I had time that evening, gave it another go. Took a multimeter to it to find out exactly how much pressure the switch needed. Once I figured that out - it was smooth sailing. Found it was easier to use my thumb then my index finger. After 2-3 days, it didn't even faze me, and I was consistent on each and every press of the switch! A nice scotch and some time = you'll be in heaven

And no - you won't damage it no matter how hard you press. The only thing that can fail is the spring, and that would take quite a while

 

[Ann]

Thanks for the info Steve. I was this close to grabbing
my pliers...lol.
The switches seem to be doing better but I still have to unscrew the adapter like I had to before. My thumb nails are so sore from pushing the button, but it's working better.

 

[YoMike]

Are things working better for the folks that had problems?
I should have my switch tomorrow!

 

[lotus14]

Thanks for the info Steve. I was this close to grabbing
my pliers...lol.
The switches seem to be doing better but I still have to unscrew the adapter like I had to before. My thumb nails are so sore from pushing the button, but it's working better.

Glad it's working better for you - gives me hope mine will work well!

I can see them needing to get broken in, so they'd seat more easily, but I do not understand why you wouldn't be able to screw the adapter on properly.

 

[CaSHMeRe]

Thanks for the info Steve. I was this close to grabbing
my pliers...lol.
The switches seem to be doing better but I still have to unscrew the adapter like I had to before. My thumb nails are so sore from pushing the button, but it's working better.

Glad it's working better for you - gives me hope mine will work well!

I can see them needing to get broken in, so they'd seat more easily, but I do not understand why you wouldn't be able to screw the adapter on properly.

Same Here -- Ann, not sure why you need to screw/unscrew the adapter? That has nothing to do with the mechanical switch?

Also, don't use the tip of your finger or figernail -- will hurt after a while when first starting. Until you get used to the firmer press, use the inside of your thumb -- 10 times easier

This part!

 

[MicciMan]

This new switch, even after following Steve's instructions, is an unholy PITA. I cannot get mine to fire at all after playing with an hour.

It sticks exactly the same as the tact switch when the adapter is threaded on tight. I cannot find any spot looser than that where it will fire. I have adjusted the adapter and center post, and nada. Put on my tact switch, fires right away.

Not real happy but will try following the instructions again............

 

[CaSHMeRe]

This new switch, even after following Steve's instructions, is an unholy PITA. I cannot get mine to fire at all after playing with an hour.

It sticks exactly the same as the tact switch when the adapter is threaded on tight. I cannot find any spot looser than that where it will fire. I have adjusted the adapter and center post, and nada. Put on my tact switch, fires right away.

Not real happy but will try following the instructions again............

That's why I'm here Micci ... To try and Help out When you say it *sticks* like the tact switch -- A *Sticky* tact switch is it fusing shut and staying in the -on- position. Is that what you mean? Your mechanical switch is stuck -on- ???

 

[Rezo]

We have ignition.. Steve the thumb trick works great, alllows me to apply the correct pressure without mucking about with painful finger tips.. i've further noticed that already the pressure needed is less when just trying a normal finger.. So, progress. Is it just me or does it hit harder than with the tact switch? Glorious...