I need to replace mercury tilt switch in the tip of Quicko T12 soldering station - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / repair

author: bshi02
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 03, 2025, 09:12:28 am
content: Hello.I mistakenly broke one leg of mercury tilt switch in the tip of Quicko T12 952 soldering station like below screenshot.I desperately need to replace mercury tilt switch in order to continue soldering task with Quicko T12 soldering station.What mercury tilt switch should I purchase in order to replace broken one in the tip of Quicko T12 952 soldering station?Any reply would be appreciated.

author: Zenith
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 03, 2025, 11:04:38 am
content: Ebay UK shows a few 5mm mercury tilt switches that look very much like yours and they are not expensive - around one or two USD each. I haven't looked to see if they are sold by Mouser etc, but even if they are, the postage and packing can be a lot for a single low value item and ebay is sometimes the better bet.I assumed that with restrictions on mercury as a hazardous substance, they were no longer made, or were restricted to applications where there was no alternative.There are also non-mercury tilt switches which are about the same size.

author: bshi02
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 03, 2025, 11:29:34 am
content: Thank very much for your reply!I browsed through online store in my country,and I finally found a mercury tilt switch(input DC 3.3V-5V) of below link which seems to be of the same size to broken one and looks very similar to it.https://m.toolparts.co.kr/product/detail.html?product_no=158673Is it possible to replace broken mercury tilt switch in the tip of Quicko T12 952 soldering station with another mercury tilt switch regardless of its max input voltage and resistance?

author: Zenith
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 03, 2025, 12:22:27 pm
content: Switches have various specifications, but particularly voltage and current ratings. I'd have thought a small mercury tilt switch such as that, was intended as a sensor, rather than switching a significant load. So normal signalling voltage and current; 5V or so and maybe 50mA.You could measure the voltage and current with a multimeter, then try to find datasheets for these switches. I suspect it's a standard form factor and the specifications are much the same from maker to maker.In your position I'd measure the voltage and current, because it's easy, and it may avoid surprises, and then buy one the same size as the one with the broken leads and fit it. The ebay ones I saw looked identical to the faulty one.You could always get in touch with Quicko and ask for advice.

author: bshi02
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 03, 2025, 02:11:37 pm
content: I have inquired Quicko in aliexpress But it seems that there is no anwser to my question.As one pin of this mercury tilt switch have been broken,I completely desoldered this broken one from the tip of T12 soldering station like below screenshot.So I'm really afraid of It may cause serious breakdown or Circuit Board or IC to Burn,If I connected Its AC power cord and switch it on in order to measuring its voltage.I heard that this broken mercury tilt switch certainly intend for sensor, So I'm going to purchase a mercury tilt switch(input DC 3.3V-5V) and replace with it then watch to see what happens on it..

author: floobydust
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2025, 07:37:49 pm
content: I use the 3mm tilt switches from AliDQLZV StoreShake switches (ball SW-200D or spring type) I find are terrible shit, the plastic easily melts/deforms when you solder to them and then they don't work. It can be why the wand originally failed.If you have a metal wand, then add Kapton tape so there is no short-circuit to the metal tube which can blow the mosfet.