Springs Rattling in Buttons?

[newoski]

Hi Guys,

Is it normal for the springs in buttons to rattle slightly after the button is pressed?

I'm currently using CLASSX with MicroLeaf switches. They're working great, but this is my first build so I'm just unclear if the slight rattle of the spring is normal...

Thanks!

[Nephasth]

Turn your game volume up. Problem solved.

[RandyT]

The stronger the spring tension, the more firm the contact between the body of the button and the plunger.  The CLASSX buttons were designed to have a positive return, without adding too much resistance to the plunger.  The sound is a bit noticeable on the EI2 version, as the material is harder (and more durable).  This material is necessary to give them the lighting characteristics.  The standard CLASSX buttons are nylon and are quieter as a result.

If the sound bothers you, you can stretch the spring a little bit to increase the friction between the two parts.  If you like how the buttons feel now, don't go overboard with the stretching, as this will affect the plunger force.  How the buttons feel when playing a game will likely outweigh minor auditory concerns.

[Xiaou2]

This is one of the downfalls of the Happs style microswitch assemblies.

 The button is a wide hollow tube... and so it acts like a speaker, and amplifies the sounds.   The thin walls, do not insulate the sounds well.
The plunger has a lot of wiggle room... and so it often slaps into the sides.   The button is designed to bottom out... so the impact of the hit,
will also resonate and be amplified.

 Compare this to a pinball  or  real 80s era leafswitch button + assembly.  These have very narrow shafts, with thicker walled assemblies, and use
harder plastics.   Due to the plunger shaft being in a smaller diameter assembly... it doesnt rattle around much.   Also, because they used a longer
button travel, and true arcade leaf blade switches..  it was far more rare that they were bottomed out.


 You might be able to reduce the sound, by using a dampening material...  such as a rubber coating in the button hole, under the button lip, and under the plunger...  to absorb the impact and vibration effects.   Also, you might be able to fill the very center of the button with something...  to keep the air volume and sound-space far more limited in its wide open scope.

[adder]

grease is another solution (i used this method myself as i had some buttons which were loud due to the rattling spring inside especially if the button was hit hard). just thinly cover the spring in grease and also a little bit of grease in the top and bottom of the button insides. dont go overboard with the grease though as too much will mean the button will become sticky and sluggish.  if done right, u will end up with a quieter button and no rattling sping anymore.
ps. as recommended by Randy T in a different thread, use heavy white lithium grease or a thick, silicone based grease (not the spray stuff) .. as using the wrong grease can result in the plastic become affected (eg. degrading or becoming softer etc)

[Louis Tully]

.

[pbj]

I've got some ---That which is odiferous and causeth plants to grow--- "upgraded" microswitches from paradise arcade that have so little tension I randomly get buttons stuck down.  Shove a tissue in yours and be thankful you don't share my hair pulling issue.

[lamprey]

I've got some ---That which is odiferous and causeth plants to grow--- "upgraded" microswitches from paradise arcade that have so little tension I randomly get buttons stuck down.  Shove a tissue in yours and be thankful you don't share my hair pulling issue.

How the hell do your buttons get stuck? Don't your buttons have a spring in them and/or are you depending on the micro switch to push the button up?

[Nephasth]

It's PBJ... He's got issues.

[pbj]

The microswitches themselves get stuck.  Plunger and housing have been lightly sanded, springs stretched out, all that.  This isn't my first rodeo.  15 years in the hobby and never had this problem before, give me those CLICK CLICK CLICK Cherry switches any day.

 

[Nephasth]

15 years in the hobby and never had this problem before, give me those CLICK CLICK CLICK Cherry switches any day.

 

And you didn't follow your own advice. That what you get for being a tight wad.

[lamprey]

The microswitches themselves get stuck. 

Ahh... That makes sense and it does suck. Leafs all the way baby!

[mgb]

Are you sure its the spring that's rattling?
The only reason I ask is because I find often the switches have more movement within the button than I'd like.
So what I do for this is, I hit them with little dabs of hot glue where the switch sides meet the butto, of course being careful not to get any in the way of moving parts.