Why are touch switches rare?

[Commie]

I wonder -- how come I almost never see touch sensitive switches (resistive or capacitive based) on mass produced mods? There are a few on home-grown mods, but that's it.

Are there some drawbacks that I don't know of? I assume that capacitive is too easy to fire in youre pocket, and resistive (if that's even a word) won't work if you are wearing gloves, but beyond that, they should be full of awesome -- reliable and kind of immune to wear.

So -- before I put one in my next mod, is there a reason I should avoid them?

 

[Rader2146]

They can be finicky with changing conditions. You might have to play with resistor values to get it right. Too humid and it may turn on when you don't want it to, to dry and it may not turn on.

 

[kalison]

Capacitive is hands and fingers or special gloves, no force is used for that. It uses the human skin for capacitance.

Resistive can be used while wearing gloves or anything else that touches it, but requires some sort of "push".

I think the touch sensitive stuff is just not popular yet in terms of safety, but maybe there is a bigger reason for it.

 

[Rader2146]

A touch switch of either type doesn't required any "push", or any measurable force, at all. You could lay a moist paper towel over the contacts of a resistive style switch to turn it on. That was one of the complains of early touch switches when near moist clothing; ie: putting the mod in your pocket and the sweat that is absorbed into the fabric would provide enough conductivity to turn on. That was due to too to high of resistor values in the touch circuit. Higher resistance, easier to turn on with dry fingers and easier to turn on when you don't want it to. Lower resistance, more difficult to turn on with dry fingers and more resistant to "false contact". A resistor value that works well on Florida, probably won't be ideal in the dry desert where I'm at. Even more frustrating would be a resistor value that works well in the summer probably won't be ideal in a cold winter. Such is the downfall of a resistive touch switch. Those that like them learn to work with, or around thier quirks.

Capacitive switches are more complex, usually requiring complicated controllers, and are way over my head. So I won't even attempt to talk about them.

 

[kalison]

Whatever you say.

You're the expert.

 

[Rader2146]

I'm no expert, I just make it all up on the fly. But it sounds convincing.

 

[kalison]

I'm only familiar with IR touch and capacitive. Resistive in my case has been limited.

 

[rondasherrill]

Resistive touch switches require 2 contact points, such as with the Saber Touch. Capacitive only requires one point, and it does't necessarily need to be metal that is touched. The contact could be placed behind plastic, and when your finger touches the plastic directly over it, it will activate. Theres a schematic for a capacitative touch switch in the modders forum. I'll try to find it.

 

[rondasherrill]

Heres a couple schematics: http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...h-pass-thru-under-15-00-a-12.html#post3776448

 

[Commie]

Thank you guys! So I think what would make sense is a resistive switch with a secondary on-off switch for safety (which is not a bad idea for most mods).
I wonder if I replaced the on-off switch with a high resistance pot. I'll definitely have to monkey with that.

 

[hitman4274]

People like "clicky buttons" just putting that out there... Tactile feedback is always nice..

Sent from my PG86100 using Tapatalk 2

 

[kalison]

Agree. Clicky is fun

 

[anavidfan]

I love my saber touch, and Im kinda glad its not as popular, makes me feel im in a "special group" . It is wonderful, but of course like everything different it keeps people away because it IS different. Unless your are real sweaty or real dry, its such a nice way to fire up a good vape. Sir Lawrence over a Vapor Moon makes the Saber Touch as ordered and you can truely make it your own unique PV. I love mine. Sir Lawrence takes great pride in making these and they are beauties. Tough, rugged, but at the same time so well finished, all aluminum ( aircraft quality) no plastic end caps or switches. They come in all sorts of voltage choices and vari-volts and minis.
Flash Intro Page

 

[hitman4274]

Me personally I change oil for a living and Somethint with a touch button with all the dirt and grease in my work place I don't think it would work like it should. Not that I would drag a saber into my work place, or not wash my hands first. The humidity in Florida might also play a role, so I steer clear of touch buttons as best I can.

Sent from my PG86100 using Tapatalk 2

 

[anavidfan]

I know that Florida is much more humid than southern calif but its been dang humid this year. I mean Im sweating and my clothes are sticky and hands real moist. I havnt had any problems with spontaneous charging of my saber. Its been so humid that the sweat just rolls off my eyes and to my glasses. I kinda know what humid is as I go to north carolina quite often and I have been to Ecuador , SA. Now that is humid. I can understand the hesitance for the touch sensors. I read a few negative reviews, mostly due to people with real dry hands or lack of conductivity in some persons. They have been made more sensitive for those with dryness problems. Some people had to lick or wet their fingers to get it to fire, but that is no longer a problem. I suppose there is a level of how much is too sensitive and not enough.
I just love mine. When I travel I take care to how I store it, just as you should with any PV. I detach my atty, cartomizer or any other juice delivery, unless I drive and vape. I hold on to it and put it down occasionally for safety s sake. When I do vape and drive I carry a soft fabric non conductive pouch to place it in for short times. When I go into places that I cant use, even for a short time, I take the atty, carto etc off. It only takes a second or two to put it back on, small inconvenience for a load of security.
There was a post a week or so ago where a guy put his PV in his pocket for a moment and it burned thru his shorts to his underpants. Fortunately he was not harmed.

I used to slip my PV down the front of my bra and believe me I dont after seeing the picts of the guys shorts and boxers all singed.

 

[kevbow]

I actually have a touch sensor ego battery that a vendor sent to me a year ago to test. All of the testers had the same problem. They just didn't work consistently. It got to the point where I would have to lick my finger tip to get it to fire and even doing that it sometimes would not shut off.

 

[Commie]

Hmm, if they need tweaking to get the sensitivity right, I wonder about replacing resistors with small trimmers inside the box. That way you can adjust it to your liking and then leave it?

 

[anavidfan]

Seems Sir Lawrence has perfected the sensor, In fact most Saber Touch owner own more than one, some 3 or more. I already designing my next one.

 

[Absintheur]

I currently have 3 Sabers...great system. I do avoid pockets with mine unless I am sure it is in there alone. First I don't want it scratched up and second it will fired if it come in contact with a metal object in the right position. I have had a pocket knife fire it before. During the recent drought here in Indiana it did become a bit finicky about firing with my dry skin but 98% of the time it isn't an issue. The wide range of options is impressive...from a 3.7 mini up to a full sized passthrough that goes up to 11 volts.

The NGP mod uses a pair of brass rings to act as the touch switch, again relying on the skins conductivity to complete the circuit. I like the lack of moving parts the system incorporates and have really come to prefer it.

 

[Aron Gatt]

Hi

Sry to jump in... And not to say that you're not right..but sometimes practical is the obvious sense ..what I mean is , I have an NGP GENESIS that works with a touch sensitive resistance switch and it works great... Never till now had a misfire ..obviously I never went about with it cos it's my next to Telly Vape ..but I love it and it works great!! Having said all that I would think twice about a mod or hybrid for every day use that has a touch sens switch .." which ever res or capacitive ...