BUTTONS! - microswitches vs leaf

[GaRy:o)]

BUTTONS! - microswitches vs leaf

i have 2 panels one with leaf (WICO) and one with microswitches (HAPPS) .. the microswitches are cr@p.
Defender and track and field are impossible.
is there any way of modifying HAPP/Cherry microswitches so they act like leafs? anyone got an image of what is inside a CHERRY switch.?
TIA
regards,
GaRy:o)

http://www.erikthecat.btinternet.co.uk/arcade/
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____________________
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Classic arcade game playing,
in style, in your own home:o)
Build a cabinet just like mine.
Drastic, but it has to be done!

[1UP]

It would help if you described exactly what the problem is.  I've only used microswitches, so what is the difference in feel with the leafs?

All that's inside a MS is a metal contact, and a spring.  The spring is pushed by the little plastic plunger you see poking out the top of the switch.  The spring is tensioned so that it normally holds the switch OPEN.  When the plastic plunger is pushed down against the spring, it shifts the direction that the spring is pulling in.  When there is enough tension pulling it down, it SNAPS into the CLOSED position.

If the difference in feel is the "breaking point", one possible solution (rather than breaking apart switches to modify them) would be to get some of the Happs microswitch replacements, the ones with metal actuator levers like you find on the bottoms of joysticks.  If you put these into the regular Happs buttons,  you might be able to set a different breaking point for the switches by bending the metal actuators until it meets your liking.

[erikthecat]

i think you hit the 'nail' / problem right on the head!

it's the ...'when there is enough tension pulling it down, it SNAPS into the CLOSED position' where the problem lies.

the action is slower than a leaf (,but then again the microswitch is more positive,'swings and roundabouts' i spoze). games like Defender need a fast action otherwise the landers go through the gaps in the wall of fire.

the HAPP replacement sounds like it may work, i didn't realise there were microswitches where you could alter the tension?!.

would you be able to send me a link of the page you were looking at (www.happcontrols.com/????

is this a 'mountain out of a mole hill' thing?

yours obsessive (ly)
Regards,

GaRy:o)

[Grasshopper]

According to previous posts different makes of microswitch produce different results. I can't verify this as so far I have only bought leaf buttons. However I've noticed from using arcade machines that some microswitch pushbuttons do produce much more of a click than others.

I know that Happs sell at least two different brands of miscroswitch (Cherry and Zippy). I would suggest that you buy one of each type and experiment.

If you do this, then please could you post any conclusions that you come to on this message board.

[1UP]

Here's what the switches look like:



http://www.therealbobroberts.com probably has the best price for these, at 10 for $12.50.  Just look for "Replacement Cherry .187 tabs w/actuators 10 for $12.50 ".

I noticed that the Happ buttons ony switch when you push them about 1/2 way down.  The idea would be to bend the very end of the actuator right above the actual switch, so that the button's plunger will have more leverage and push it down sooner.  That way you can set the switching point sooner.

The other (cheaper) way to do this would be to go to a hobby shop and ask for Plastruct strips, used for modifying plastic models.  You want some pretty thin ones (maybe about a millimeter or 1/16" thick.)  Try cutting off a small square of the stuff just about the size of the plunger feet on your button.  Super glue it to the foot that hits the switch.  This will make the switch trip sooner.  You might have to sand down the thickness a little if it's too soon, or if the button is always pushed down.

The only problem is that now if you hammer on the buttons, the plunger will be whacking the microswitch housing, which could eventually cause problems.  It's a tradeoff.

[JustMichael]

Actually Happ has the best price currently.  They have their horizontal buttons with microswitch for $.99 each.  They also have their Ultimate joysticks on sale for $6.99.  According to their site the prices are good till 7/31/02

[neuromancer]

BUTTONS! - microswitches vs leaf

i have 2 panels one with leaf (WICO) and one with microswitches (HAPPS) .. the microswitches are cr@p.

If you have vertical microswitch pushbuttons, throw them away (or use them for things like start and credit buttons). Player buttons should only be horizontal microswitch.

You can buy microswitch buttons off of e-bay, or build leaf contacts for the Happs buttons.

I've got some Zippy and Cherry microswitches; I can't tell any difference between them. If you pry the switch open, you can see the little piece of spring steel that keeps the switch closed. It wouldn't be too hard to trim that spring a tiny bit to reduce the tension.

Bob

[erikthecat]

bob,

FOR SALE VERTICAL MICROSWITCH PUSHBUTTONS!

wherer did you get that info from, i wish i had seen that before i bought them.

do you know the logic why the horizontal one are better?

build leaf contacts for the Happs buttons? how easy is that, is there a www page that has details?

thanks bob, hope you can help some more.

regards,

GaRy:o?

[1UP]

FOR SALE VERTICAL MICROSWITCH PUSHBUTTONS!

wherer did you get that info from, i wish i had seen that before i bought them.

do you know the logic why the horizontal one are better?

Right here---> http://www.arcadecontrols.com/arcade_controls.shtml#buttons

[Dag68]

Build leaf switches for Happs horizontals?  
!!
Anyone have info on this?  I've pretty much read the whole site here and most of the sites under examples.  I never noticed info on that but would love to get it.

-Dave

[Bob Feagins]

Why bother with microswitch buttons at all?  Leaf switch buttons are still available for cheap at places like http://www.videoconnection.com

-Bob

[Bob Feagins]

Oops.  That url should have been http://www.videoconnect.com/

[neuromancer]

bob,

FOR SALE VERTICAL MICROSWITCH PUSHBUTTONS!

wherer did you get that info from, i wish i had seen that before i bought them.

Me too. My vertical microswitch buttons started sticking. I've tried silicon spray on them, which helps for a few minutes, but doesn't fix them. I bought some horizontal microswitch buttons, and in comparison even to unused vertical switch buttons the horizontals are vastly superior. They have a lighter touch and smoother travel.

I've never seen any instructions on buiding leaf switches, but since you have some on the wico panel you could use them as a guide. They're just three pieces of metal with an insulating spacer.  Some of them have nice contacts welded on, but some only have dimples.

Bob

[1UP]

Another possibility is to make a rapid-fire switch circuit just for button 1 (usually fire).  I'm working on this right now.  Should be cheap and simple.  It may seem like cheating, but if I'm going to have an arcade machine in my home, it's going to be comfortable to use, dammit!  

[Bob Sanders]

I like microswitches better

they are more reliable and more consistent in function

[neuromancer]

Another possibility is to make a rapid-fire switch circuit just for button 1 (usually fire).  I'm working on this right now.  Should be cheap and simple.  It may seem like cheating, but if I'm going to have an arcade machine in my home, it's going to be comfortable to use, dammit!  

A 555 timer with a pot to adjust the fire rate would be about as cheap and easy as it gets.

Bob
South Carolina