Question about switches

[Quexos]

What does the amp rating mean on them? What is "Single pole, single throw round"? I was under the impression a 3.7v e-cig pulls 1.5-3 amps yet most of the switches I see are rated at .5 amp. Like this one: Mountain Switch, Red Pushbutton .5a

My last mod had a 3 amp switch but the thing takes a huge mounting hole! I'd like to get something much smaller, but want to be sure it will work well.

I read the specs on one that said 1.5 amp @ 250 volt, 3 amp @ 125, so I assume some switch rated at .5 amp @ 125 would be plenty for a 4 volt circuit? Correct?

 

[DenniZ]

I'm no electrical genius but since no one else has answered this I'll take a stab.

Amperage or amps is the amount of current. Just like a river's current can erode a bank or dam that is not designed to handle it, too many amps can do bad things to hardware that is not designed to handle it.

A single pull - single throw switch (SPST) is a switch that takes one live incoming connection (Pull) and and turn it on or off (Throw).
You can contrast this with a Double pull - single throw switch, one that takes two live connections and turns them on or off (think shore power vs battery power on a boat).
A single pull double throw switch has one incoming live connection and can power one of two outgoing connections at a time.

Since I'm not an electrician I won't venture a guess on how long the switch you are planning to place into your mod will hold up to the higher amp application, hopefully someone else more knowledgeable will come along shortly and help you out.
I am planning a mod myself in the near future, and I will be biting the bullet and using a more robust switch.

GL,
-Dee

 

[roadrash]

I'm no electrical genius but since no one else has answered this I'll take a stab.

Amperage or amps is the amount of current. Just like a river's current can erode a bank or dam that is not designed to handle it, too many amps can do bad things to hardware that is not designed to handle it.

A single pull - single throw switch (SPST) is a switch that takes one live incoming connection (Pull) and and turn it on or off (Throw).
You can contrast this with a Double pull - single throw switch, one that takes two live connections and turns them on or off (think shore power vs battery power on a boat).
A single pull double throw switch has one incoming live connection and can power one of two outgoing connections at a time.


Since I'm not an electrician I won't venture a guess on how long the switch you are planning to place into your mod will hold up to the higher amp application, hopefully someone else more knowledgeable will come along shortly and help you out.
I am planning a mod myself in the near future, and I will be biting the bullet and using a more robust switch.

GL,
-Dee

Dee, You are close. it's a single pole-single throw, or double pole. ect.

 

[WillyB]

I read the specs on one that said 1.5 amp @ 250 volt, 3 amp @ 125, so I assume some switch rated at .5 amp @ 125 would be plenty for a 4 volt circuit? Correct?

It's not that simple. Most switches are rated for AC, DC current behaves a bit differently.

I'd stick with a switch that is rated for at least 2A@120V AC. There is also more to what makes an appropriate/good switch than just a high amp rating. Construction and materials come into play. High quality switches will list contact materials and provide electrical life estimates. A $5-$10 switch may be rated for 200,000 presses while a $1-$2 one may be good for about 10,000.

 

[Quexos]

I bought myself a few of these to test out. MS-402-RED: MOUNTAIN SWITCH: Electromechanical

Most of the others I saw were even cheaper .5 amps or just too expensive or huge.
Like this one. $15 and large...still .5 amp! IPR3SAD2: APEM COMPONENTS,INC.: Electromechanical

 

[WillyB]

Well I don't know why you are even looking at .5A switches. I personally don't like tiny buttons anyway, but I would have gone with this one from Jameco instead.

30-3: GRAYHILL INC.: Electromechanical

And for a larger button (about a .4" hole) this one works well.

R13-502A-05-BB: JAMECO VALUEPRO: Electromechanical

If I wanted small I'd go with this one.

Digi-Key - CKN1672-ND (Manufacturer - 8551MZQE2)

 

[jfdpl686]

Willy,
What's your take on the switches sold by madvapes?
Tactile Switch with Round actuator, 300g.
I just used one in a 5V (3AA box with juice bottle) so I had to go to the smallest one...
I'm wondering how long my box will last... because once the switch dies, it would be easier to make a new box rather than trying to replace the switch...

 

[WillyB]

Willy,
What's your take on the switches sold by madvapes?
Tactile Switch with Round actuator, 300g.
I just used one in a 5V (3AA box with juice bottle) so I had to go to the smallest one...
I'm wondering how long my box will last... because once the switch dies, it would be easier to make a new box rather than trying to replace the switch...

Those are popular if using a mosfet or his 4 pin reg. Not my style though.

 

[mistinthewoods]

I like the C&K and NKK switches madvapes sells. They seem to hold up well.

 

[Quexos]

Well I don't know why you are even looking at .5A switches.

And for a larger button (about a .4" hole) this one works well.

R13-502A-05-BB: JAMECO VALUEPRO: Electromechanical

The ones I ordered are the same switch MadVapes has claiming "Real nice switches and a must have if you're building a high end mod" but for less money and I can order from the same place I get my boxes for less than half the price at MadVapes and avoid more shipping costs.

The "larger button (about a .4" hole)" one you linked is the one I used last time. Too big for me. That one requires cutting away part of the mounting nut and bending the connections over to fit at all...or just epoxy and no nut. Anyway, I don't like a button that covers half the face of the box!

 

[jfdpl686]

Those are popular if using a mosfet or his 4 pin reg. Not my style though.

Thanks! I wasn't thrilled about it but I had to due space. So far is working perfectly but I won't abuse that box right now, and only use it when I'm out.

 

[Quexos]

After much reading, I'd like to use my smaller .5 amp switch with a MOSFET, but don't know how to wire one or what kind to get. Any info on that? All I have found is people saying to use one, but not how, or overly complex (over my head anyway) explanations of them from google searches. I also read they don't activate well under 5 volts? So they won't work with a 3.7v 14500 battery? What do they use in the Joye, Janty, etc models then?

What if I just rig a nail or screw and a spring to bang right into the terminal. Can't see that failing very quickly!