Source for switches that actually work

[martik777]

I am looking for approx 25  spst switches for led flashlights  similar to this:
https://www.parts-express.com/parts-express-spst-automotive-round-rocker-switch-with-blue-led-12v--060-770


Rocker or push button doesn't matter, prefer round style for mounting.

I've ordered from ebay aliexpress etc but all the switches fail after a few weeks.

[Kinvert]

We got the same as these (I think) about a year ago and they're still working. 90% of them still work. The one that failed was soldered by a student. They may have damaged it.

They don't have a great feel to them, but they worked for us.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/10-PK-TOGGLE-SWITCH-SPST-ON-OFF-MINI-TOGGLE-3-AMP-250V-6-AMP-125V-2-PIN-EC-2510-/112205165954

Hopefully others have some better answers

[sleemanj]

What failure mode are you finding?  How much current are you switching?  Given it's a for a torch, is it a water ingress problem? 

I haven't sold those ones you link to, but I've sold hundreds of usual chinese round rockers, and rectangular ones, full size and mini, touch-wood I have never heard anybody claim one to fail in short order (or, at all but I expect there might have been after some time).

[martik777]

I am switching a 1w LED connected to an 18650 - approx 350ma, indoor use - no water issues.  I have experienced over 90%  failure rate within a few months. I probably use the switch 3-4 times a day.

Have tried the round red and rectangular black  rocker switches, the 6 or 7mm square  latching, and even a mini sliding switch.

They do not totally lose contact  but the LED intermittently flashes and sometimes improves when the switch is gently tapped.

I like the spring loaded switches on the cheap led flashlights, not the 3-way one,  just the on-off variety but I can not find them anywhere.

[kalel]

I am switching a 1w LED connected to an 18650 - approx 350ma, indoor use - no water issues.  I have experienced over 90%  failure rate within a few months. I probably use the switch 3-4 times a day.

Have tried the round red and rectangular black  rocker switches, the 6 or 7mm square  latching, and even a mini sliding switch.

They do not totally lose contact  but the LED intermittently flashes and sometimes improves when the switch is gently tapped.

I like the spring loaded switches on the cheap led flashlights, not the 3-way one,  just the on-off variety but I can not find them anywhere.

Are these among the switches you tried? " 3P 2T mini toggle / slide switch Handle high:3mm", 100 pcs is about $1-2



I can't say much about the others, but I used this to switch a 1W LED connected to a small lipo (an improvised flashlight) for a while now, and even when moving the switch around slightly with my finger (without switching it) the light stays on and I can't notice any difference. I don't use it every day, but when I do, I only keep it on very shortly (to prevent heat accumulation and preserve the battery charge), for example to read a component value.

Perhaps your circuitry is more sensitive.

P.S. May also be that I tried a "lucky piece". I can't say if the entire batch works the same.

[alm]

Do the switches have a sufficient DC current rating (the Parts Express automotive one does)? DC current is often lower than AC current rating because with DC, the ARC does not get extinguished after ~8 ms.

[martik777]

The slide and latching switches are .5A at 50VDC and the rockers are 6A at 125VAC

All the rocker switches I have harvested from electronic gear have never failed so there is a difference.

Attached a photo of the work light and the tp4056 charger for the 18650 battery.

The led is mounted to a solid copper pair of wires, (fairly heavy gauge) to enable positioning the led into any position.

The 1w led's are pennies each as are the TP4056 . I usually buy quantities of  50 cool white  LEDs and 10 TP4056's

Hook up the clips and plug into any usb to charge

[sleemanj]

I like the spring loaded switches on the cheap led flashlights, not the 3-way one,  just the on-off variety but I can not find them anywhere.

Do you mean like the kan-28 (push on, push off),  you should be able to get those on ebay/ali.