Unreg Box mod help.

[Sirim]

I'm trying to build an unregulated box mod for a friend. I'm going to make a custom wood enclosure and use a fat daddy 510. I'm trying to build it all as cheap as I can. I've found a switch but I'm not sure if it will be good enough.

.http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/230vac-3a-ip67-illuminated-silverblue-push-switch-n26ka

Will this work with 2x18650 in parallel?

 

[Jco9]

That will work just fine as long as you use a mosfet, that switch is only good for 3 amps. The mosfet will take the amp load so you can use a low amp switch like that.
That switch is similar to the one I used in my mosfet mod.

 

[Eric DeCastro]

being that switch is only a 3A rated switch, you will need to add a mosfet. not a big deal. not that it won't work, but still you never know it might go bad.

 

[BoomStick]

The 3amp rating is for 230volts a/c so the actual dc rating is unknown. There is no good way to determine equivilant dc ratings for a/c rated switches. If you use a MOSFET, you can pretty much use whatever switch you want. Switches with dc ratings are almost impossible to find unless you use automotive or marine switches. They are large, expensive and generally unsuitable for box mods. Again, use a fet and whatever switch you want.

 

[Jah]

The 3amp rating is for 230volts a/c so the actual dc rating is unknown. There is no good way to determine equivilant dc ratings for a/c rated switches. If you use a MOSFET, you can pretty much use whatever switch you want. Switches with dc ratings are almost impossible to find unless you use automotive or marine switches. They are large, expensive and generally unsuitable for box mods. Again, use a fet and whatever switch you want.

amps is amps, doesnt matter the voltage

 

[BoomStick]

amps is amps, doesnt matter the voltage

You don't know what you're talking about.

 

[Jah]

You don't know what you're talking about.

Switches are usually rated in amps and volts... some are rated with HP as well, but that's a different subject...

The amp limit on a switch denotes how much current it can safely carry. Generally this has to do with arcing when the switch is opened and to a lesser extent when it's closed. Exceeding the amperage limit means the contacts aren't made to withstand that much current. That can lead to the switch "welding" together or just failing. Generally it's not going to cause any serious issues other than a bad switch, however if you grossly exceed the amp limit it could result in the switch heating up, melting, etc.

The volt limit on a switch denotes how resistant it is to arcing. For example, a smaller voltage switch may have a much smaller distance between the contact, this means high voltage can arc across the gap.

 

[BoomStick]

Look up the difference between breaking current with a/c vs dc. Also, 10v and 1ohm, and 100v and 10ohm both make one amp. 100w and 1,000w are not the same. Also, if only current mattered there would be no reason to include voltage specs in switch ratings. You think you know what you're talking about, but you don't.

 

[Jah]

DC Rule of Thumb

For those switches that list an AC voltage rating only, the "DC Rule of Thumb" can be applied for determining the switch's maximum DC current rating. This "rule" states the highest amperage on the switch should perform satisfactorily up to 30 volts DC. For example, a switch which is rated at 10A 250VAC; 15A 125VAC; 3/4HP 125-250VAC, will be likely to perform satisfactorily at 15 amps up to 30 volts DC (VDC).

 

[BoomStick]

There are many who disagree with carling tech's dc rule of thumb. Rely on the speculation of one source if you like. It's not an accepted standard.