switch took five minutes

[aspen]

Well I had a little time today and decided to breakdown the switch assembly on the chameleon just cause I was curious. First, the toughest thing is getting the cap off then went smooth sailing. Seriously it is so easy maybe five minutes to replace but there is a certain way to set the switch otherwise it's just firing without the switch mechanism operating. The switch has prongs that need to be moved slightly to get in the other parts. The prongs where they stick out of the switch mechanism need to be perpindicular to the legnth of the chameleon so when it is sitting in the body you *can't* open the prongs all the way. Hope this makes sense and it is really easy to do if I can do it.

 

[aspen]

Had an after thought that may be helpful.
When putting this back together put the first plastic washer in then set in the switch. All other parts just go back in chronological order.

 

[Swipple]

Hey Aspen, out of curiosity where did you get your replacement switch?

 

[aspen]

Hi Swipple, here's a link Tact Switch Vertical Shaft length: 0.8mm | Distributed By MCM | BTS-1102 (BTS1102)

Switches are only about 15 cents each or so, shipping may be to much for one. I bet Iken has one, if not I can send ya one or two. Let me know what works the best for ya. You will be happy once you breakdown that switch and come to understand how simple this is. You will never worry about a switch problem again. Oh, if ya get one where the stem protrudes to much you can just sand or grind it to the desired height.

Edit: the listed shaft legnth above is not correct I believe, chk with Iken on what he reccomends

 

[Swipple]

Thanks Aspen, I am not in need right now, I just like to try and have info on hand in case something does happen!! You Rock!!

 

[Iken]

Yes! They're built much like a sandwich of plastic,metal,plastic and so on. I wanted to do a detailed video on disassembly, but couldn't find the time and then hatched an idea.
I want to improve on the button system. What do you guys think if we make it brass or same concept just with a cap, that can probably blend in just as nice.

 

[aspen]

Well, I for one am curious and also think your on to somethin here. Have ya got a hint?

 

[Iken]

Sure we can drop a small meek fine detail out of the book!

Stage 3:
When you have the removable lid and pin set aside, carefully rip everything out.

 

[martha1014]

IMO it is a little more complicated and takes longer than 5 minutes to put one back together. Yes it was easy to take apart (Iken has a video) but putting it back together is another story. I watched my husband try to put all the tiny pieces back together for over an hour and finally give up. Is there a trick to this.

 

[aspen]

IMO it is a little more complicated and takes longer than 5 minutes to put one back together. Yes it was easy to take apart (Iken has a video) but putting it back together is another story. I watched my husband try to put all the tiny pieces back together for over an hour and finally give up. Is there a trick to this. He is an electrical engineer and could not seem to get it back together.

Serious, five minutes and had never done it before. Put the big first plastic body piece in. Then set in the first plastic washer. Now set the switch in, next just set each piece in reverse order of Ikens video dismantling the switch. The only trick is that the switch has to set in a certain way as described in the first post of this thread. My most difficult task was removing the cover plate, go figure it's your easiest. If any other help or questions don't hesitate to ask. I think Ikens dismantling video shows which order the pieces are in if that helps.
Good luck with it.

Edit: You may want to set the switch prior to setting the big plastic piece if you find it difficult to get the switch in.

 

[Iken]

Haha Thank you Aspen!
Ah the trick to removing the plate is to put the button sector back on to the battery body, then use a small flat screwdriver in a pry bar method. Works like a charm.


Hi Martha, Don't worry the video is coming. Since my daughter didn't come home last weekend, we celebrated easter activities yesterday. Egg hunts and all.

I'll try to do a quick text for you though, just incase your hubby wants to get it finished quickly. I know i absolutely hate things left undone.

Holding #6 button sector, Place #5 (flat plastic washer) down at the bottom.......wait a second. Did you guys pick up a new button yesterday?

 

[martha1014]

Did not pick up a button. He went ahead an took it apart to see if the button was broke. I could not find anything wrong with the switch. Nothing was broken. I thought maybe the prongs on the swich just got bent. He tried to put it back together and it was just too difficult to all the tiny parts back in. I don't know what is is doing wrong. I answered this in a PM to you.

 

[Iken]

Ah ok,
I seen your pm, but this subject is best to leave out in the open for anyone that seeks knowledge. Lets check the button first. The button piece has four prongs, on the back plate on the button is a small rectangular notch indicating which way the prongs are to go.

Let's have your husband, check the button for functionality by using the sound feature in multimeter's. By setting the multimeter to the sound icon, that emits sound from the device upon a completed connection. Connect the needles to the specified prongs, then depress the Chameleon's button. If there is sound, the button is well, if no sounds is emitted, then the button is bad. If you would like for us to send you the button, or just want to go to radio shack or just send it back and we'll fix you up straight away. We'll be happy to refund the shipping.

Ok if we're going to the diy option.

Button configuration:
First we have to prep our new functional button, by using needle nose pliers. The prongs that are on the fresh button are crooked and must be flattened. By using the pliers against the each of the four prongs (the long way) press down with the pliers to make the prongs flat. Once flat, grab hold of each prong with the pliers and give them a 108 degrees turn (towards the outside) till the prong is angled. I modified the photo to show more detail.

With the button setup in this configuration, it is ready to be inserted into the sector #6.
__________________________________________________________________________
Installing Components:

Holding #6 button sector, Place #5 (flat plastic washer) down at the bottom.
Then take your modified button. Hold it, by the prongs that are raised in the air and set into it's central location. With the flat side of the prongs resting on #5 plastic washer ring.

Then take #2 Half brass ring and set it onto the prongs. From the bottom of the button sector #6, insert #11 and #10. By holding #2 down with a screwdriver, it will enable #10 to be properly installed.

If you notice #7, it has a certain cut at the bottom. Slide in, against #6 inner wall, cut side down.

Apply #3, thin plastic layer. Then Apply #2, other half moon. Bend the button's prongs to lay flat against the newly installed #2. Once flat, install #8 then #9.

Lastly apply #12 (the lid) and your remaining #10. Screw down. Done.



The reason why this Could void the warranty, is because if any parts are lost in this DIY repair, they cannot be obtained by us or the manufacture and will need to be found via online or hardware store. If there's any other questions, please do not hesitate to ask!
I really hope this helps. If not, no worries, you won't be left in the dark period.

 

[Wench]

Should sticky this or put it in the tips and tricks. Awesome to know I can replace it if I absolutely have to ( or don't want to let go of it long enough to send in lol)
So Radio Shack has these also? Anyone have a link or part # to ask for? I might pick a couple up to have just in case.

 

[martha1014]

http://www.radioshack.com/product/in...ductId=3060978

This is the link that Iken gave me. You can also find them in your local radio shack.

 

[Iken]

Should sticky this or put it in the tips and tricks. Awesome to know I can replace it if I absolutely have to ( or don't want to let go of it long enough to send in lol)
So Radio Shack has these also? Anyone have a link or part # to ask for? I might pick a couple up to have just in case.

Lol Theres some links below. I'll copy and paste into tips & tricks and The button disassembly thread.

http://www.radioshack.com/product/in...ductId=3060978

This is the link that Iken gave me. You can also find them in your local radio shack.

Hey Martha, How did it work out?
These are the ones that I have researched to actually fit better (MCM). Than Chameleon's standard button like the one displayed at Radioshack. The Mcm style sets the button tip almost flush with the housing.
Tact Switch Vertical Shaft length: 3.5mm | Distributed By MCM | BTS-1102B (BTS1102B)
SPST 12VDC/50mA 5.0mm High Tact Switch - RadioShack.com

 

[Swipple]

Isaac,

Just thought I would elaborate on the Radioshack switch you put the link in for....look for the 9.5 mm switch the 5mm switch does not clear the housing.
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3014504&filterName=Type&filterValue=SPST

If the unit is continually firing is it a switch issue or an issue with the brass plates inside?

 

[Iken]

9.5mm? Swip that's huge!! I ordered the .08mm, 1.5mm 3.5mm and 6mm. I tried them all.
I had to sand down the 6mm and was still very unsatisfied with it. Tomorrow, I'll get out my micrometer and give checks.

 

[martha1014]

Isaac,

Just thought I would elaborate on the Radioshack switch you put the link in for....look for the 9.5 mm switch the 5mm switch does not clear the housing.
12VDC 50mA SPST 6.2x6.2 mm SMT Tact Switch, 9.5mm High - RadioShack.com

If the unit is continually firing is it a switch issue or an issue with the brass plates inside?

You are right I could not get the 5.5 mm from Radio Shack to work. The original switch looks closer to a 9.5 mm.

 

[Swipple]

I think that the 5mm switch from radioshack is talking about the diameter and not the height of the switch, also the prongs on the radioshack switches are tiny and have to be twisted 45 degrees, if you bend them flat to their orientation the switch it causes the unti to constantly fire.