Switches and stuff

[John Bono]

Well, I ordered the mr11 uib2 kit, and now I need to get some of the other bits and pieces I will need to build a light, and I'm looking for sources, preferably online, to buy some of these things. First of all, I need to find a place that sells small waterproof momentary switches. Also, I need to get a wiring gland, preferably one that is leakproof, or at least, can be made leakproof. I have epoxy, gasket material and I figure I'll need silicone adhesive. I figure I can get wiring at radio shack or autozone.

Secondly, I need to think about the battery. What is the minimum voltage I will need? 14V? I'm also looking for something that will power the 3 crees plus driver for 3.5 to 4 hours. My guess is that I will need something like a 48WH battery to make that happen. Is that right, or would I need more?

 

[DonShock]

Here's a bunch of stuff.

 

[John Bono]

I looked at the battery space site, and all the switches they have are the standard on-off variety. Since the bflex uses a momentary switch, I need to get one, preferably a waterproof one. Does anyone have a source for momentary switches? I've only found a couple of them online via google, and they are marine switches, which are waterproof, but also huge compared to what I'm trying to put the switch into.

 

[alexlockhart]

I've been looking for exactly the same thing, for the same use with a bFlex, and have been frustrated in not finding anything suitable - big crazy marine switches that need housings, or the batteryspace ones. This one on batteryspace might be momentary, since it says pushbutton rather than on-off like this one, but I can't tell. Radio Shack has some wimpy momentary switches that are not waterproof and need a housing, but I have no faith in their reliability when mounted on my bike, even if I cover them in rubber and silicone.

If I can't find anything soon, I'll probably get this one from batteryspace, since I'm about to buy my batteries from them anyway, and try to take it apart and mod it to be a momentary switch - just take out the catch that holds it down in the "on" position. If that's successful, it would be exactly what I'm looking for.

I should just email Darrell and George and ask them if they know of anywhere to get good waterproof momentary switches, since they built the bFlex and may know of some options. And get them to jump in this thread and enlighten us all.

Alex

 

[Darell]

I should just email Darrell and George and ask them if they know of anywhere to get good waterproof momentary switches, since they built the bFlex and may know of some options. And get them to jump in this thread and enlighten us all.

Alex

George found that great board-mounted switch that comes with his bFlex circuit. Works GREAT! And obviously not what you're looking for. The deal is, until the Min-T came along, we never really had a device-specific need for another switch. The guys you want to talk to are the ones getting the Min-T ready for action: Dom and Kerry. They've been fighting your same switch battle for quit some time.

 

[dom]

Hi John -Welcome to CPF
Here's a good switch with a few places you can buy it from
http://octopart.com/info/NKK%20Switches/JB15FP?c=419&d=0
Check out the datasheet as well -they are rated IP67 which is what you want.

If you want to do a search for other types
Google these words - you can change the dimension and place as well.

mouser 12mm waterproof tact switch
digikey 12mm waterproof tact switch

Invest in some black or white Sikaflex marine silicone -great for waterproofing stuff.
Maybe some teflon 20 and 24AWG stranded wire as well -heaps on ebay.

Cheers
Dom