Testing a Horn Button Switch Prior to Installation?

[wv2win]

I installed a horn switch into my first 5 volt mod, only to find it was defective. Is there a way to test a horn switch with a multimeter, prior to installing it, to see if it is functioning properly? I guess it would also aply to the resister and the regulator.

Thanks

 

[Distorted.Clarity]

set it to 200 ohms, put the + - on the posts and push in the button.
if you see a spike on the MM you're good to go

 

[wv2win]

set it to 200 ohms, put the + - on the posts and push in the button.
if you see a spike on the MM you're good to go

Thanks, much appreciated.

 

[grantemsley]

When you have the multimeter leads on the legs of the button (without pressing the button) it should ready infinity - usually shown as a 1 on the left side of the screen on all the meters I own.

When you press the button, it should read 0.

 

[WillyB]

only to find it was defective.

Might of been fine till you soldered it.

 

[roadrash]

Might of been fine till you soldered it.

That was always the problem with me for the first few months of modding. LOL The only soldering I ever did was sweat fittings.

 

[AttyPops]

Might of been fine till you soldered it.

+1

Some of the "horn style switches" that I have used are easily damaged by heat.... They are inexpensive switches and are held together by a dab of glue and ultra-thin plastic. Not too bad if you also have a PCB to solder them on to (a little bit of extra heat sink that way) or use a heat-sink clip. I wrecked a couple of em before realizing that the heat-sink clip was needed (doh!). If either contact moves even a fraction of a mm due to hot plastic, melted glue, etc. it won't work anymore.

P.S. Those same switches are easy to bust if you bend the contacts too..... use pliers to hold em as you bend it. The plastic will snap otherwise. (doh #2).

 

[wv2win]

Thanks for all of the advice. I'm a real "newb" at this. I don't know what a "heat-sink clip" is or how you use it instead of soldering the wire to the button clips. Any pictures or advice on how this works??

 

[o4_srt]

any type of metal you can clamp on to the leads between where you are soldering, and the component. Alligator clips are commonly used.

Alligator clip from r-shack

 

[5cardstud]

An aligator clip will work, just something to absorb the heat so it doesn't go to the switch. Put it on the legs between where your soldering and the switch. Try putting a dab of solder on the leg before you try to solder the wires to it. It takes less heat that way.
Oh sorry it was posted while I was typing, I should say pecking.

The first box I did I threw away because I kept burning the sides with the soldering iron untill the lid wouldn't fit any more.

 

[o4_srt]

An aligator clip will work, just something to absorb the heat so it doesn't go to the switch. Put it on the legs between where your soldering and the switch. Try putting a dab of solder on the leg before you try to solder the wires to it. It takes less heat that way.
Oh sorry it was posted while I was typing, I should say pecking.

The first box I did I threw away because I kept burning the sides with the soldering iron untill the lid wouldn't fit any more.

transfer soldering?!?!?! OH NO!!!! j/k as we aren't building mil-spec components, transfer soldering is fine. this is strictly forbidden, however, at my job.

 

[grantemsley]

Soldering it that way is a good way to get really weak solder joints. It will work, but eventually it's gonna break.

Although with most of the buttons I've seen used, the button will break first anyways.

 

[wv2win]

I'm trying to make this 5 volt box mod for a friend and I am starting to wonder if I made a mistake offering to do it. Seems like there are many little things you can do wrong that will make it not work or break easily.

 

[o4_srt]

I'm trying to make this 5 volt box mod for a friend and I am starting to wonder if I made a mistake offering to do it. Seems like there are many little things you can do wrong that will make it not work or break easily.

why not start a thread in the mods section detailing your struggles, so as to not hijack this thread?

 

[wv2win]

why not start a thread in the mods section detailing your struggles, so as to not hijack this thread?

I'll give that some thought. I may be too inexperienced to even know what I might be doing wrong. However, since I started the thread, I don't mind hyjacking my own thread, lol. And thank you for the help.

 

[o4_srt]

I'll give that some thought. I may be too inexperienced to even know what I might be doing wrong. However, since I started the thread, I don't mind hyjacking my own thread, lol. And thank you for the help.

ah, didn't realize you were the OP. In that case, what are you having difficulty with? perhaps you could draw up a picture showing how you have everything connected, and let us know what regulator you are using?

 

[WillyB]

Thanks for all of the advice. I'm a real "newb" at this. I don't know what a "heat-sink clip" is or how you use it instead of soldering the wire to the button clips. Any pictures or advice on how this works??

Well if the Horns are like mine, there is really no room for a clip.

The wire I use will fit inside the little holes. Pre-tin your wires with solder first (lotsa soldering vids on YouTube). I then slip the wire into the hole and bend it back and squeeze it. You are getting a decent mechanical connection that way. Pre-tin your iron and touch both the wire and tab. You hardly need any additional solder and the whole process should take about 6 seconds tops.

The key is always a well maintained, clean tip that will tin nicely. At the end of the session always clean and re-tin your tip.

 

[o4_srt]

Well if the Horns are like mine, there is really no room for a clip.

The wire I use will fit inside the little holes. Pre-tin your wires with solder first (lotsa soldering vids on YouTube). I then slip the wire into the hole and bend it back and squeeze it. You are getting a decent mechanical connection that way. Pre-tin your iron and touch both the wire and tab. You hardly need any additional solder and the whole process should take about 6 seconds tops.

The key is always a well maintained, clean tip that will tin nicely. At the end of the session always clean and re-tin your tip.

great advice, it's amazing how many modders do not know how to solder properly

 

[Distorted.Clarity]

sounds like most people have issues soldering, i find it pretty much the "thank god im at this point" stage.
only time i have issues is when i accidently set my heat to high, go get coffee and get side tracked. come back to a nasty gunked up tip.
i do that a lot.
at that point i do't even bother to clean the tip, pull it and slide in a new one.

 

[o4_srt]

sounds like most people have issues soldering, i find it pretty much the "thank god im at this point" stage.
only time i have issues is when i accidently set my heat to high, go get coffee and get side tracked. come back to a nasty gunked up tip.
i do that a lot.
at that point i do't even bother to clean the tip, pull it and slide in a new one.

if you keep your tip tinned, you can just wipe that crap off on a moist sponge.