Sigelei Zmax V3 and V5 Telescopic: User's Group

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VapieDan

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Zmax 510 cap removal with no vise. I have had 2 Zmax units needing the switch repair for quite some time. My vise was unavailable. I decided to try another method. using a CE4 to 510 connector which screws onto the CE4 threads of the unit I began gently tapping with a small hammer on the end of the installed connector. I rotated 180 degrees with every tap. In a few taps the connector gently popped off. Keep in mind the adapter will be ruined but still usable again for this purpose since only the external threads will be damaged. Can't wait for the switches to arrive! Old soldiers will live again!
 

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VapieDan

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fairmana

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I'm glad you brought the switches up Yzer. I ordered these:

B3W-4005 Omron Electronics Inc-EMC Div | SW976-ND | DigiKey


What do you think of these?:


B3W-4000 Omron Electronics Inc-EMC Div | SW421-ND | DigiKey

Dan, during my second attempt to research a better replacement switch, I ordered one of those 4000 switches along with the 4005. The whole idea for me was to find a switch that was more "clicky" to eliminate accidental firing of the switch. I didn't like the 4000 because it has a softer touch than the the 4005 (too easy to fire by accident). I don't recommend it. If you look in the specs, the 4005 has an 'Operating Force' of 350gf, whereas the 4000 has an 'Operating Force' of 200gf. Yes, the 4000 has 3 times more lifespan than the 4005, but I prefer to have the switch be more "clicky". I was using a switch with a soft touch like that for a while before moving to the 4005, and I wasn't too happy with it (the Zmax would fire if it rolled over onto the switch, etc...). In the end, it's obviously your decision to make. If the triple lifespan is more important to you than the operating force, by all means use the 4000.
 

fairmana

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I've purchased single quantities from Digikey in the past and it's not a problem. Keep in mind that the shipping will usually be more expensive than the single item your purchasing. You might as well pick up 2 or 3 since they're so cheap and you'll always have 1 or 2 spares. I don't know how long it takes to get to 1 million button presses, but these switches will wear out eventually.

Edit: Although Digikey will most often sell you a single item, you have to look at each item specifically to be sure. They will tell you what the "Minimum Quantity" that can be purchased is.
 
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yzer

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I'm glad you brought the switches up Yzer. I ordered these:

B3W-4005 Omron Electronics Inc-EMC Div | SW976-ND | DigiKey


What do you think of these?:


B3W-4000 Omron Electronics Inc-EMC Div | SW421-ND | DigiKey
I agree with fairmana and jeremyR.The two switches have identical specs except for lifetime rating and operating force. I use the Omron switch part number SW976-ND, which is the first one you linked. I figured it would take me three years to hit 1,000,000 clicks, YMMV. The operating force of this switch switch seems to be a little softer than that of a brand new Sigelei switch.
 

VapieDan

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Dan, during my second attempt to research a better replacement switch, I ordered one of those 4000 switches along with the 4005. The whole idea for me was to find a switch that was more "clicky" to eliminate accidental firing of the switch. I didn't like the 4000 because it has a softer touch than the the 4005 (too easy to fire by accident). I don't recommend it. If you look in the specs, the 4005 has an 'Operating Force' of 350gf, whereas the 4000 has an 'Operating Force' of 200gf. Yes, the 4000 has 3 times more lifespan than the 4005, but I prefer to have the switch be more "clicky". I was using a switch with a soft touch like that for a while before moving to the 4005, and I wasn't too happy with it (the Zmax would fire if it rolled over onto the switch, etc...). In the end, it's obviously your decision to make. If the triple lifespan is more important to you than the operating force, by all means use the 4000.

Clicky is good. ! million cycles should be enough!
 

VapieDan

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I agree with fairmana and jeremyR.The two switches have identical specs except for lifetime rating and operating force. I use the Omron switch part number SW976-ND, which is the first one you linked. I figured it would take me three years to hit 1,000,000 clicks, YMMV. The operating force of this switch switch seems to be a little softer than that of a brand new Sigelei switch.

Changing a switch out every three years would not break my heart since the originals lasted less than one year for me. Thanks for the reply!
 

VapieDan

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The first operation is complete and V3 lives again! A few thoughts. I found an old mouse pad of 2mm thickness. It made an excellent shim using a US penny as a stencil cut out. After tracing cut inside the traced line. See photo. I decided to put the coated side of the pad to the head with the softer spongy side against the board. It works well. Also those switches had two support posts on the bottom raising the switch off the board. Removed completely they work with a tiny rattle of the button. I have seen worse so It';s OK by me.
 

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VapieDan

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I did the V5 in less than 5 minutes now with practice. As for the switch rattle. The new switch stands off on 2 pegs. Cut those pegs about half. This raises the switch up closer to the external button for no rattle. It is an eye ball thing. The V3 ended with about as much rattle as the original. The V5 turned out with zero. All function well. Also changed from Noalox to NO-OX-ID. Noalox is designed for aluminum only and contains particles of aluminum. It can corrode and cause wear as well as all know hardens. NO-X-ID is for use on all metals and does not harden. There is less pressure turning the threads as well. It should require less cleaning and replacement. I see many years not year of service ahead for these wonderful units. I like the "rattlesnake" vape!
 

fairmana

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Congrats Dan, I'm glad your repair went well. To be honest, I'm a bit concerned that the sponginess of the mouse pad is going to allow the board to shift somewhat. Hopefully it won't be enough to cause you any hassles. I would definitely recommend using a solid material for the spacer/shim. I know it's not easy to find something 2mm thick to make one from. I have a hard plastic automotive mud flap that's 2mm thick. If you like, PM me your address and I'll send you a piece large enough to make two from (it should go in an envelope).

When I first installed the Omron 4005 replacement switch, my main concerns were that it end up at the correct height and be strong enough to support the pressure of being pressed over and over again over time. As you already know, this switch is not the correct height nor is it designed to be surface mounted (it's a through-hole switch), so it takes a little modification to make it work in the Zmax. I wanted those plastic pegs that protrude from the bottom of the switch to rest on the circuit card so the stress wouldn't all be put on the legs (legs might bend or bow?). I decided to sand them down until the overall height of the switch was at 5mm (same height as the original Sigelei switch). I straightened and re-bent all 4 switch legs out to the side so that all 4 legs including the sanded plastic pegs made contact when placed on a flat surface.

Here's what I did:
1. Fully straightened the switch legs, and then bent them out to the side (90 degrees) so the switch would fit in the jaws of a micrometer set to 5mm.
2. Sanded the plastic pegs back and forth over a piece of medium grit sandpaper laid on a flat surface (tried to keep it level as I sanded).
3. After several swipes, placed the switch in the jaws of the micrometer. If the pegs were still too long, repeated until satisfied.
4. Trimmed the legs down in preparation for final soldering to the circuit board. The old switch is useful for getting a length comparison.

In this pic, I hadn't trimmed the legs shorter yet:

Omron_B3W-4005.jpg
 

Monotremata

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Ok I got two efest 18350 purple box 800mah. I also got 2 18650 3100mah just in case.

Dual coil reading 1.4ohm, set power to max 15watts.

Anything else I should look for?
If you're stacking the 350s, make sure you check them with a multimeter.. I found when my Vamo shuts down at 6.4v, one battery might be at like 3.4v when the other was like 2.5v, so they definitely didn't drain evenly. The performance of my purple 350s has gone downhill pretty quick in the 2 months I've had em.. One won't last an 8 hour work shift anymore, but they used to when they were new..
 
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