Tactile Switch Questions

[TnA]

I've seen many the great mods with tactile switches, is there a good source for the buttons to go on top of the switch? Also I've heard a lot of people complain about the durability of these switches, especially the RShack ones. Any other suppliers that would hold up better?

So...to get this thread back on track .....anyone have any good suggestions to the OP for buttons to put on top of the tactile switches??

I know I'm certainly in the market for some after-market buttons....but in the meantime, I just do like (aww heck...can't think of the forum member's name, now) (insert name) showed and take the led bulbs from the flashlight's I've modded and use my dremel cutting discs to saw them to the size I need and super-glue them on. Just be careful w/ the glue...I've ruined several switches by the glue getting down inside the switch.

 

[Ralph Hilton]

ok -To answer the question about durability -you cannot use a component rated at 50mA in a circuit switching 2000mA and produce a durable product without an intermediate semiconductor switch. It might well last a couple of months but it might short circuit in an hour and create a fire. Direct connection of a switch rated at 50mA to an atomizer is a dangerous practice. I do believe that the regulatory bodies regarding new products are far from sane and sometimes in the pay of vested interests. But that isn't an argument against rational regulation. Looking at the forum rules it is unacceptable to post tutorials suggesting the use of improperly rated switches. My advice is not to use a switch in a mod that is rated at less than double the current the switch will be required to carry if you want a safe durable mod. I do hope the amateur experimenters who say such things are ok because it worked for them for a month live on their own in isolated areas.

 

[Nuck]

ok -To answer the question about durability -you cannot use a component rated at 50mA in a circuit switching 2000mA and produce a durable product without an intermediate semiconductor switch. It might well last a couple of months but it might short circuit in an hour and create a fire. Direct connection of a switch rated at 50mA to an atomizer is a dangerous practice. I do believe that the regulatory bodies regarding new products are far from sane and sometimes in the pay of vested interests. But that isn't an argument against rational regulation. Looking at the forum rules it is unacceptable to post tutorials suggesting the use of improperly rated switches. My advice is not to use a switch in a mod that is rated at less than double the current the switch will be required to carry if you want a safe durable mod. I do hope the amateur experimenters who say such things are ok because it worked for them for a month live on their own in isolated areas.

You obviously don't have enough hyperbole in your diet.

 

[TnA]

ok -To answer the question about durability -you cannot use a component rated at 50mA in a circuit switching 2000mA and produce a durable product without an intermediate semiconductor switch. It might well last a couple of months but it might short circuit in an hour and create a fire. Direct connection of a switch rated at 50mA to an atomizer is a dangerous practice. I do believe that the regulatory bodies regarding new products are far from sane and sometimes in the pay of vested interests. But that isn't an argument against rational regulation. Looking at the forum rules it is unacceptable to post tutorials suggesting the use of improperly rated switches. My advice is not to use a switch in a mod that is rated at less than double the current the switch will be required to carry if you want a safe durable mod. I do hope the amateur experimenters who say such things are ok because it worked for them for a month live on their own in isolated areas.

wow....you're just full of all kinds of positive things to say, eh?

To be perfectly honest, I haven't got a clue what kind of draw I have on my battery....but to say it is 2000mA is being awfully hopeful (but I'll hope!! ).

As for the switch....please do keep a little bit of perspective and bear in mind that the 50mA rating is at 12VDC and I'm nowhere near that voltage.

Oh...and my switches have been working for month(S).....and actually, I'm hoping I live near you.

 

[Ralph Hilton]

The 50mA rating has nothing to do with voltage. Thankfully there is a rather large patch of water betewen us

 

[warp1900]

The 50mA rating has nothing to do with voltage. Thankfully there is a rather large patch of water betewen us

Oh, don't get comfy so soon, there are many of us doing the same all over the world, probably even several of your next door neighbors.





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[TnA]

The 50mA rating has nothing to do with voltage. Thankfully there is a rather large patch of water betewen us

LOL....okay...sounds like you're safe from my "atomicizer"

However, I would beg to differ about the voltage not having a role. The voltage rating along with the mA rating absolutely does determine it's capabilities. In a presupposed circuit of 3.7 volts at 2000mA, a switch rated for 50mA at 1 volt will burn out far faster than a switch rated for 50mA at 5 volts and so on and so on, would it not?

BTW, I don't think anyone in here would disagree with the idea that a switch w/ a higher mA rating is desirable and safer, but we work with what we got in the confines that we find ourselves.....and no-one's blown up yet.

 

[TnA]

Oh, don't get comfy so soon, there are many of us doing the same all over the world, probably even several of your next door neighbors.





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Nice add!

 

[Ralph Hilton]

Neither of my neighbors own soldering irons and the next nearest houses are far enough away so the fire wouldn't get here. I'm comfy

 

[Nuck]

A lot of people have held the button down too long, simulating the extremely rare case of a switch failing in the closed position, and suffered the catastrophic aftermath of a burned out atomizer.

Oh the humanity!!

 

[TnA]

So.......how about the other part of the original question?

Anyone have a good source for buttons to put on these flame-inducing switches?

 

[Ralph Hilton]

TnA - the current rating is determined by the thickness and constitution of the wiring. The voltage rating has a lot to do with the speed at which the contacts separate and how far they separate. There isn't a high correlation. At low voltages the difference between a 12 volt and 1 volt rating on a switch mechanically is extremely small. A 50mA rated switch used in a 2 amp circuit could without warning short circuit so your ecig that rolled onto the couch on top of your newspaper could suddenly fuse and start a fire just at the time when you went into the other room.

 

[warp1900]

Tna, mouser and digikey have the caps, I just find both websites impossible to deal with.




Ralph, we already got your message.

You should open a factory manual battery from any e-cig and you will see the switch and realize that all your theory knowledge will not make a difference in the real world.

You still believe we will all die incinerated?, good for you, thanks for the good thoughts, but it will NOT happen.


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[TnA]

Tna, mouser and digikey have the caps, I just find both websites impossible to deal with.

Thanks warp....was afraid you were going to suggest those sites....they ARE a headache.

 

[Nuck]

I like digikey..used them quite a few times. Have never looked for tactile caps before though. Are they a universal fit?

 

[warp1900]

I like digikey..used them quite a few times. Have never looked for tactile caps before though. Are they a universal fit?

For 6 x 6 mm tactile switches yes, but there are other push button switches that have caps sold separately.

I really don't have patience to be reading and pulling down PDF's to find what I want to buy.



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[TnA]

I thought one of them offered free samples? but I can't seem to find that now.

 

[me5647]

I'm sorry didn't mean to cause a fight. 50ma switches will probably work for a good while then burn up, fire? no i doubt it . not like there goina get stuck in the closed position (even if they did the atty would burn up first and open the circuit)

I was just saying its a pretty simple fix to stick a transistor and a resistor in there and with the size of most peoples nicosticks there would be plenty of room. and wouldn't it be nice to never change another switch?

But yes I do agree a mosfet would be a good choice (sorry no time to play got real homework)

i usually use mouser for everything but online does suck for things like switch caps, the catalog is a little easier, and there free but be ready to get a large phonebook sized catalog like every 2 months full of stuff you have no idea what it is)

 

[TnA]

I'm sorry didn't mean to cause a fight. 50ma switches will probably work for a good while then burn up, fire? no i doubt it . not like there goina get stuck in the closed position (even if they did the atty would burn up first and open the circuit)

I was just saying its a pretty simple fix to stick a transistor and a resistor in there and with the size of most peoples nicosticks there would be plenty of room. and wouldn't it be nice to never change another switch?

But yes I do agree a mosfet would be a good choice (sorry no time to play got real homework)

i usually use mouser for everything but online does suck for things like switch caps, the catalog is a little easier, and there free but be ready to get a large phonebook sized catalog like every 2 months full of stuff you have no idea what it is)

I don't think you started or caused a fight. Fact of the matter is that there are plenty of good and worthwhile solutions (the mosfets and transistors and resistors have already been done). However, while extra electronics can be used in something like a box mod that has the extra available space, such luxuries are not available for other mods like the Fist Pack, Screwdriver, Laser Pointer Mod, Nosepicker Mod, etc. So, we do what we can with what we got.

 

[Ralph Hilton]

Ralph, we already got your message.
You should open a factory manual battery from any e-cig and you will see the switch and realize that all your theory knowledge will not make a difference in the real world.___

Note that between the small switch and the atomizer connection there is a small chip. The chip switches the atomizer on and off. The tactile switch takes a very small current and switches the chip on and off. Switch ratings are not purely determined by theory. They are extensively tested by manufacturers.