I'm new to electronics but have a little audio server project I want to build and it includes building a custom case. I've searched everywhere for a simple momentary, push-to-make switch that is small (circa 5 or 6mm across), silver and has an LED like the one in the image. Ideas?
Thanks in advance for any help
Steve
An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.
Thanks in advance for any help
Steve
Well the LED is not part of the switch.
The switch is mounted on a bracket behind the front panel and only the button protrudes through the front panel.
The buttons are often moulded so you would probably have to source one from an old unit from a thrift shop or make one yourself. This is where DIY ingenuity comes into play. You buy a black round button (usually cylindrical in shape) and form a nice round end on it and spray it to match your front panel. Or you glue a teddy bear eye onto the end of it and again paint it to suit.
The switch is mounted on a bracket behind the front panel and only the button protrudes through the front panel.
The buttons are often moulded so you would probably have to source one from an old unit from a thrift shop or make one yourself. This is where DIY ingenuity comes into play. You buy a black round button (usually cylindrical in shape) and form a nice round end on it and spray it to match your front panel. Or you glue a teddy bear eye onto the end of it and again paint it to suit.
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Hi. Thanks. The second part I had got. I was hoping the first part was not the case i.e. I could purchase one item that would work. Hmm…
I should have added that this switch will basically be the Power On front panel button of a computer (audio server). I believe the voltage to a switch like this is 5V. I need to figure out what power is supplied to the LED from the motherboard.
I have just opened up a computer and I see what you mean. Is the typical setup: some sort of acetate over the led light hole, a little PCB taking in the connections from the motherboard, an LED, a push to make switch and a flanged "cap" that protrudes through the front panel (with the flange stopping it from going completely through?
I wonder if it is possible to simply buy this pcb already built. It would certainly be easier.
I should have added that this switch will basically be the Power On front panel button of a computer (audio server). I believe the voltage to a switch like this is 5V. I need to figure out what power is supplied to the LED from the motherboard.
I have just opened up a computer and I see what you mean. Is the typical setup: some sort of acetate over the led light hole, a little PCB taking in the connections from the motherboard, an LED, a push to make switch and a flanged "cap" that protrudes through the front panel (with the flange stopping it from going completely through?
I wonder if it is possible to simply buy this pcb already built. It would certainly be easier.
You can buy LEDs which have a small front window (say 3mm) with the remainder of the LED being a bit bigger.
Like these for example http://www.ebay.com/itm/10-x-LED-1-...018?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item232e50b312
Like these for example http://www.ebay.com/itm/10-x-LED-1-...018?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item232e50b312
Okay I am still grappling with this but I at least now know more about what I need. I have the switch and LED side of things sorted (a small pcb). What I am struggling with is the simplest bit: where to buy a small, brushed aluminium, flanged button to act as the button for the switch (push aluminium button in, depresses actuator of simple push-to-make switch on PCB in behind the face of the enclosure). Ideally it would be very similar to what Theta use:
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Surely one can find these sorts of things somewhere... Any help appreciated.
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Surely one can find these sorts of things somewhere... Any help appreciated.
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