Dude - you're talking about Chinese manufacturers - if you think that they used anything BESIDES the cheapest switch they could cram into the space available, you're deluding yourself.
Tactile Switch Questions
- Thread starter NekoGurrl
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Dude - you're talking about Chinese manufacturers - if you think that they used anything BESIDES the cheapest switch they could cram into the space available, you're deluding yourself.
Isn't wattage really the deciding factor? Current X voltage? (At least, up to the V rating of the switch.... max V is about distance between contacts/dielectric strength and such.)
So, a .5A 12V rated switch would do 6 watts.....
So it could also be used for 1A at 6V
Or 1.5A at 4V
The 50 MA switches may still be a little anemic.... that's still only .15A at 4V but anything .5A at 12V and above should be fine.
(Assuming the 4v/3ohm is the average ... or about 1.3 A at 4V)
That was always my understanding, anyway.
So, a .5A 12V rated switch would do 6 watts.....
So it could also be used for 1A at 6V
Or 1.5A at 4V
The 50 MA switches may still be a little anemic.... that's still only .15A at 4V but anything .5A at 12V and above should be fine.
(Assuming the 4v/3ohm is the average ... or about 1.3 A at 4V)
That was always my understanding, anyway.
No - you are using the open circuit voltage to calculate from which isn't meaningful when the switch is closed and passing current. A 50mA switch is still rated at 50mA even at a tenth of a volt. Anything less than a 1.3A rated switch at 4 volts is going to have a shortened life span.
This is what I did. I took a tactile switch off of some sort of USB device. It might have been from a receiver for a mouse/keyboard combo. Then I got an old remote control with tall buttons and pulled out the rubber keypad piece. I cut out one of the buttons and secured it on top of the switch. It works better than I though and has been using it for about a week and a half. So, you might be the source of the button if you have an old remote control.
Just came back to this thread after over 2 months, and still no answer to my original question. Probably didn't articulate it correctly.
Of all the mod's I've made, the switch has always been the most problematic part. I've switched over to using commercial mods right now, as you can see from the banners, but still want to make some of my own. When I look inside a Prodigy I see a standard 6mm x 6mm tactile switch, no transistors, no mosfet's, just a simple switch.
I want to find out what switch THEY are using!
Have a stack of small 1 AAA flashlights that will make perfect passthrus, but need to find the right switch for them, and the one that PS uses would be a perfect fit. Bought out American Science and Surplus of these to make some passthru's to make for my smoking friends so they can try PV's.
Would one of these work better for me? SparkFun Electronics - Mini Push Button Switch
Of all the mod's I've made, the switch has always been the most problematic part. I've switched over to using commercial mods right now, as you can see from the banners, but still want to make some of my own. When I look inside a Prodigy I see a standard 6mm x 6mm tactile switch, no transistors, no mosfet's, just a simple switch.
I want to find out what switch THEY are using!
Have a stack of small 1 AAA flashlights that will make perfect passthrus, but need to find the right switch for them, and the one that PS uses would be a perfect fit. Bought out American Science and Surplus of these to make some passthru's to make for my smoking friends so they can try PV's.
Would one of these work better for me? SparkFun Electronics - Mini Push Button Switch
Hey, Neko-Neko:
I've recently changed from a tactile switch to a MOSFET touch switch. It's only been a couple weeks, but so far, no problems with intermittent firing or anything else associated with the momentary contact switches. I'm really liking it.
It should be usable in almost any mod, assuming you can create the touch contacts and isolate them from one another.
Just a little something to get your mind whirring - good luck with the search!
I've recently changed from a tactile switch to a MOSFET touch switch. It's only been a couple weeks, but so far, no problems with intermittent firing or anything else associated with the momentary contact switches. I'm really liking it.
It should be usable in almost any mod, assuming you can create the touch contacts and isolate them from one another.
Just a little something to get your mind whirring - good luck with the search!
See what you started NekoGurrl!
I've tried the tacticle switches, had them last two weeks tops. Replaced them too many times. Sure they're cheap, but don't last long for me in a 5v mod.
I'm using this in my next mod:
Parts-Express.com:Momentary N.O. Raised Push Button Switch Red | momentary switch push button switch button switch round button switch square button switch small button switch classic push button switch switch momentary video game switch coast-switc
Rated for 3amps. Kind of large for flashlight mods, but they have a nice solid feel. Kind of like the popomatic dice roller in the old Trouble game.
I've tried the tacticle switches, had them last two weeks tops. Replaced them too many times. Sure they're cheap, but don't last long for me in a 5v mod.
I'm using this in my next mod:
Parts-Express.com:Momentary N.O. Raised Push Button Switch Red | momentary switch push button switch button switch round button switch square button switch small button switch classic push button switch switch momentary video game switch coast-switc
Rated for 3amps. Kind of large for flashlight mods, but they have a nice solid feel. Kind of like the popomatic dice roller in the old Trouble game.
Could you post parts and the circuit layout you use? Trying to run the directly through the switch doesn't seem to be reliable enough.
I too would very much appreciate if you could share your parts list (mosfet part # please) and diagrams.
I am in the process of doing my first mod. Thanks!I recently made a touch sensor switch using the attached diagram as a template, but (obviously) using an atomizer coil instead of a lamp and wire contacts instead of a temp switch (had to work around the limitations of the circuit modeling program). I used a CSD16325Q5 MOSFET from TI - I don't recommend this one unless you're REALLY good at soldering or have access to the correct IC holder for it - there's no legs to solder to, just pads. I have the STS6NF20V MOSFET on order from Newark electronics, just waiting on their arrival. I anticipate a much easier mod with these, since they *do* have legs to solder to.
Regardless, using a temporary contact switch (as shown in the diagram) would work fine - you also wouldn't have to have the resistors shown in the diagram since you wouldn't have to worry about pocket change or similar shorting anything out.
Good luck!
Regardless, using a temporary contact switch (as shown in the diagram) would work fine - you also wouldn't have to have the resistors shown in the diagram since you wouldn't have to worry about pocket change or similar shorting anything out.
Good luck!
See what you started NekoGurrl!
I've tried the tacticle switches, had them last two weeks tops. Replaced them too many times. Sure they're cheap, but don't last long for me in a 5v mod.
I'm using this in my next mod:
Parts-Express.com:Momentary N.O. Raised Push Button Switch Red | momentary switch push button switch button switch round button switch square button switch small button switch classic push button switch switch momentary video game switch coast-switc
Rated for 3amps. Kind of large for flashlight mods, but they have a nice solid feel. Kind of like the popomatic dice roller in the old Trouble game.
I've had about the same experience with all of the inexpensive switches I've used. Yet I've mashed the button on my Prodigy for a month and a half and have yet to have it misfire, so it leads me to believe there are good solid small tactile switches.
I have a definite use for these in building a USB passthru based on something similar to a laser pointer mod. Have got some on order from SparkFun. But the switches you linked to would be a good fit for some of my larger mods.
I stopped building my own when I got frustrated with the switches I was using, so I went with some commercial made devices (which I love). But have so many friends that want to start with E-Cigs that I want to give them lower cost options to start with.
So my quest continues...
My circuit was more complicated as the mod was variable voltage. This is all that's needed
That is quite a big FET. A simple alternative is to take apart an old 510 battery (probably others are similar and use the board from that (shown on the left)
That is quite a big FET. A simple alternative is to take apart an old 510 battery (probably others are similar and use the board from that (shown on the left)
Found these switches at E-Switch that look promising:
Series LL SMT Long Life SMT Tactile Switch-Rated 5 Million Operations
The LL301 series tact switches is rated to 5 Million Cycles. An SMT 6mm x 6mm tactile switch, the applications for use include consumer electronics, telecommunications, audio/visual and any other application that requires a long life switch.
MECHANICAL LIFE: 5 Million Cycles
STATIC LOAD: 2000 grams for 15 seconds
FORCE: 65 Grams
CONTACT RATING: 12VDC, 50mA
CONTACT RESISTANCE: 50 milliohms @ 5VDC, 10mA (initial max)
INSULATION RESISTANCE: 100 megaohms
DIELECTRIC STRENGTH: 250 VAC
E-Switch - Product Catalog
Just trying to find a distributor that carries them, found the TL3301 at Newark, but it's only rated at 100,000 cycles, not 5,000,000.
Series LL SMT Long Life SMT Tactile Switch-Rated 5 Million Operations
The LL301 series tact switches is rated to 5 Million Cycles. An SMT 6mm x 6mm tactile switch, the applications for use include consumer electronics, telecommunications, audio/visual and any other application that requires a long life switch.
MECHANICAL LIFE: 5 Million Cycles
STATIC LOAD: 2000 grams for 15 seconds
FORCE: 65 Grams
CONTACT RATING: 12VDC, 50mA
CONTACT RESISTANCE: 50 milliohms @ 5VDC, 10mA (initial max)
INSULATION RESISTANCE: 100 megaohms
DIELECTRIC STRENGTH: 250 VAC
E-Switch - Product Catalog
Just trying to find a distributor that carries them, found the TL3301 at Newark, but it's only rated at 100,000 cycles, not 5,000,000.
Thats the simplest touch schematic I've ever seen. Thanks man, definitely going to try it.
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