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Subject: RE: homebrew rotary multi-position switch

From: "Thomas P. Gootee" <tomg@...>
Date: 2004-08-31

Stefan,

ALPHA makes a 2P12T rotary switch that is $1.57 for quantity 1, at www.mouser.com, with Mouser part number 10WR212.

That one is make-before-break ("shorting"), with solder lugs. I don't see any 2P12T (or 10T) Alpha-made (i.e. low-cost) switches at mouser.com that are non-shorting, or that are pcb mount.

For a lot more $, both Electroswitch and NKK have many models that would probably meet your need. They have switches listed at mouser.com that go up to (just to name some of the extremes) 2P23T, 4P17T, 6P12T, 9P4T, 8P6T, 12P4T, and even have a model that will handle 30 Amps that goes up to 5P11T (for only $114.00!).

I am sure that you could eventually get your homebrew pcb-based rotary switch idea implemented. But the Alpha switch would be much cheaper/easier/faster, assuming that it meets your specs.

Tom Gootee

http://www.fullnet.com/u/tomg

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From: Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com[SMTP:Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com]
Sent: Tuesday, August 31, 2004 8:55 AM
To: Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [Homebrew_PCBs] Digest Number 801

Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2004 21:12:52 +0200
From: "Stefan Trethan" <stefan_trethan@...>
Subject: homebrew rotary multi-position switch

Hi,


has one of you ever tried making a multi-position switch directly on the
PCB like most handheld meters have?
I can't gold plate it (yet).
I think tinning would do for now.

I think of using a M6 screw as axis, just a washer on each side to make a
bearing
of a hole in the PCB. Then take a piece of FR4 and make the "wiper" with
contacts
of thin sheetmetal.
The M6 screw would fit into a knob on the front panel.
The "snap" action could be achieved by drilling holes in the PCB and
letting
some spring catch them.

What do you think of that? stupid idea?

It seems i can't get rotrary switches with enough positions.
Would be nice to be able to just make them how i want.
After all it works in meters...

tell me what you thik about that.

ST


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