Hall Effect Microswitch

[Jeidot]

Howdy all,

I'm new to the board here and just ran across an old thread about building an optical sensor into a standard microswitch.  I had thought about that very same idea, which led me on a search to see if such a product was already available.  What I found instead was this DS1101 Hall Effect microswitch from Cherry.

I couldn't find any previous references to these switches in the forum, so I though I would post the info.

I ordered a couple of them from Allied Electronics so I could evaluate them.  Even though the switches are described as "snap action" on the website, they are not at all clicky like normal microswitches.  You can kind of tell from the pictures that they lack the snap action mechanism that you find in normal microswitches.

Allied also carries the AMP 102241-1 connector housing and contacts you need to hook these up.  I got some of the connectors, but I have not yet worked out how to interface them electrically to an interface.  I have a GP-Wiz and also an UltraStik 360 that I might connect them to.  Perhaps Randy or Andy could advise on compatibility and where to pull 5V out for these switches?

Overall, these would end up costing a lot more per switch than standard microswitches, but they do get rid of that extra clickiness, plus they are rated for 110 million cycles... 

-joe

[JustMichael]

When the switch is enclosed in a control panel, the clicking noise is greatly reduced and in the heat of a game the noise seems to disappear.

[danny_galaga]

any better links? im intrigued (",)

[AndyWarne]

A while ago I was looking for a cheap source of something like these, but never found it, thanks for the info.
Regarding 5 volt sources:
On I-PAC VE: There is a 5V screw terminal
I-PAC 2, 4: 5V is available on the header.
UltraStik 360 (when using as gamepad buttons connected to the stick harness connection) There is no 5V immediately available but the PCB can have a jumper applied (requires soldering) to supply 5V. Email me for details.
Other sources of 5 volts are: Cut off a USB cable, the red wire carries 5V, or use a disk drive power connector, red is 5 volts.
Andy

[Jeidot]

What kind of better links were you looking for, danny?

-joe

[quarterback]

Overall, these would end up costing a lot more per switch than standard microswitches

How much are they?  I don't see a price on that page.

[koz319]

Allied has them listed for 4.32 each, 3.93 for qty 25-50 , 42 in stock.

Mouser has them listed for 5.40 ea, 4.32 ea in qty of 50.  None in stock, 249 on order.

Digikey has them listed for 3.73 in qty of 25, no stock, looks like special order.

Arrow lists them 4.12 each, special order? Min qty? not sure

These look interesting, let us know how they work out!  The sound of a click doesnt bother me much, but I swear I can feel each contact in games like robotron.  Drives me nuts.


Koz

[danny_galaga]

What kind of better links were you looking for, danny?

-joe

never mind. it works now...