Source for switches that actually work - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: martik777
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: July 13, 2017, 02:35:07 am
content: I am looking for approx 25 spst switches for led flashlights similar to this:https://www.parts-express.com/parts-express-spst-automotive-round-rocker-switch-with-blue-led-12v--060-770Rocker or push button doesn't matter, prefer round style for mounting.I've ordered from ebay aliexpress etc but all the switches fail after a few weeks.

author: Kinvert
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: July 13, 2017, 03:32:26 am
content: We got the same as these (I think) about a year ago and they're still working. 90% of them still work. The one that failed was soldered by a student. They may have damaged it.They don't have a great feel to them, but they worked for us.http://www.ebay.com/itm/10-PK-TOGGLE-SWITCH-SPST-ON-OFF-MINI-TOGGLE-3-AMP-250V-6-AMP-125V-2-PIN-EC-2510-/112205165954Hopefully others have some better answers

author: sleemanj
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 13, 2017, 06:26:32 am
content: What failure mode are you finding? How much current are you switching? Given it's a for a torch, is it a water ingress problem?I haven't sold those ones you link to, but I've sold hundreds of usual chinese round rockers, and rectangular ones, full size and mini, touch-wood I have never heard anybody claim one to fail in short order (or, at all but I expect there might have been after some time).

author: martik777
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: July 13, 2017, 08:06:35 am
content: I am switching a 1w LED connected to an 18650 - approx 350ma, indoor use - no water issues. I have experienced over 90% failure rate within a few months. I probably use the switch 3-4 times a day.Have tried the round red and rectangular black rocker switches, the 6 or 7mm square latching, and even a mini sliding switch.They do not totally lose contact but the LED intermittently flashes and sometimes improves when the switch is gently tapped.I like the spring loaded switches on the cheap led flashlights, not the 3-way one, just the on-off variety but I can not find them anywhere.

author: kalel
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 13, 2017, 08:39:18 am
content: Quote from: martik777 on July 13, 2017, 08:06:35 amAre these among the switches you tried? " 3P 2T mini toggle / slide switch Handle high:3mm", 100 pcs is about $1-2I can't say much about the others, but I used this to switch a 1W LED connected to a small lipo (an improvised flashlight) for a while now, and even when moving the switch around slightly with my finger (without switching it) the light stays on and I can't notice any difference. I don't use it every day, but when I do, I only keep it on very shortly (to prevent heat accumulation and preserve the battery charge), for example to read a component value.Perhaps your circuitry is more sensitive.P.S. May also be that I tried a "lucky piece". I can't say if the entire batch works the same.

author: alm
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 13, 2017, 09:08:18 am
content: Do the switches have a sufficient DC current rating (the Parts Express automotive one does)? DC current is often lower than AC current rating because with DC, the ARC does not get extinguished after ~8 ms.

author: martik777
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: July 13, 2017, 10:24:10 am
content: The slide and latching switches are .5A at 50VDC and the rockers are 6A at 125VACAll the rocker switches I have harvested from electronic gear have never failed so there is a difference.Attached a photo of the work light and the tp4056 charger for the 18650 battery.The led is mounted to a solid copper pair of wires, (fairly heavy gauge) to enable positioning the led into any position.The 1w led's are pennies each as are the TP4056 . I usually buy quantities of 50 cool white LEDs and 10 TP4056'sHook up the clips and plug into any usb to charge

author: sleemanj
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 13, 2017, 12:51:47 pm
content: Quote from: martik777 on July 13, 2017, 08:06:35 amDo you mean like the kan-28 (push on, push off), you should be able to get those on ebay/ali.