Large Model Association Forum

Hello Every one
I would appreciate some advice regarding on/off switches as used with a Rx battery pack. (2cell lipo )
I have in the past used JR switches
Now I have looked on the web and I find that JR type switches are very much cheaper than those with a label on them.
But are rated 3amps at 240 v or 6amps at 125v. Now with my limited knowledge it seems the usable amperage goes up as the voltage goes down.is this correct? can these switches be used with DC current? and if so are they suitable for use in model aircraft.
Thanks for you time
Arthur

Not necessarily, it all depends on the contacts inside the switch. I bought 2 JR switches which looked ok but when the outer case was removed there was just a smaller slide switch inside with 4 of the terminals cut off just leaving a single pole contact. The originals use 2 pole switching, live and neutral.

Be carefull, a JR switch comes in a JR bag, with McGregor labelling, lots of look alikes out there that are cheaply made copies, JR switches are £15 for the heavy duty ones,

Cheap switch.

That look just like a JR one from outside, cheap chinese rubbish, I had some, bought from a show, by mates who had gone, £5 each, they got returned, I get mine from Inwoods,

I have used for many years ( over 30 years ! ) the excellent Apem switches , and have never had a failure , these are professional industry standard toggle switches from Farnell
Radio Spares also have a selection of similar switches
Look at the data sheets to determine which one suits you best .The Apem switches are extensively tested and some are good for 50,000 operations at peak loading .
A double pole , double throw switch ( sometimes marked as double throw ON-ON ) usually suits our purposes .
The positive and negative from the battery goes to the middle terminals , the positive and negative feed to the radio say at the left and on the right side , the charging lead .
With this set up , with the switch in the off position to the left , the charging lead is connected to the battery and the feed to the radio is open circuit , operating the switch to the right connects the battery to the radio and open circuits the battery to charge lead.
These need the wires soldering to the switch terminal posts and some heat shrink applied but with a decent small soldering iron its not difficult especially if you can have something to hold the switch , I like to "tin" the wires and terminal posts before soldering the wires to the terminal posts , also easier to work / start from one side

Ian, thanks for that, need more info, which one would you suggest for general 60 cc model use, baffling amount of stuff on there!
https://www.apem.com/uk/recherche?contr ... it_search=

Alan , Farnell part number 1082313 , rated 4 amps , 30 v dc, just under £4
regards Ian T-W

Thanks for that Ian, if you recommend them, with the size you fly,it’s worth having a look,

That would be this fellow,
https://uk.farnell.com/apem/5646a/switc ... rlookahead

Alan , If you wanted a higher current switch , Farnell part number 1082313 is same type but rated at 6amps / 30 volt dc £5.75
regards Ian Turney-White

Oooops , should read 1082312 6amp