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2 stage switch

Posted: Sat Jun 14, 2008 4:40 pm
by ronnieoverby
With no luck, I am looking for a momentary push button switch that when pressed halfway will complete one circuit, and when pressed completely will then close the 2nd circuit.

I want to use this to first turn on the laser sight, then to fire the chamber.

Has anyone found a switch like this? Where can I get one? Is there a special name for this switch?

Thanks!

Posted: Sat Jun 14, 2008 5:07 pm
by VH_man
i think youll find youd be better off with two switches pressed by your trigger.... one "leaf" type switch and then a normal switch at the back...

for an example (plus a leaf switch) buy a NERF nitefinder.... it should tell you quite quick

Posted: Sat Jun 14, 2008 5:11 pm
by ronnieoverby
Anyone have any input about what I asked about?

Posted: Sat Jun 14, 2008 5:29 pm
by ajb12345
just put two switchs in the handle. one momentary to fire the gun. then a push on push off button for the laser sight. easier to label if you want to and alot less expensive.

Posted: Sat Jun 14, 2008 5:32 pm
by THUNDERLORD
Most factory laser sights use a squeeze switch activated by palm pressure.

Having your switch located in the actual trigger would be bad idea IMO.
Because when it's switched on you'd need to aquire where it is, then adjust it to the target.
All while your finger is halfway pushing the trigger? Not good IMO.

Something homemade is all I can think of.
Maybe place the switch similar to the way a grip safety of a colt .45 (1911) is configured.

Or place another push button switch in the handle on a seperate finger position.

After all, there are times you wouldn't want the laser on and with it mounted in the trigger you'd have no choice.

(Unless it's a laser only visible to special optics, it will be seen by Edit:...stuff). :wink: 8)

Posted: Sat Jun 14, 2008 6:30 pm
by TurboSuper
Hmm...can't say I've ever seen a switch like that, not even commercially.

Check www.mouser.com, if they don't have what you want, odds are it doesn't exist :P

Of course, you can easily do this with a logic circuit, but that's not what you asked.

Posted: Sat Jun 14, 2008 6:58 pm
by STHORNE
I have an idea on how you could make your own using 2 different momentary switches and a single trigger.

You have them off-set so that the trigger hits one before the other, leaving you in control!

here's a pic.
tell me what you think.

Posted: Sat Jun 14, 2008 10:58 pm
by Carlman
orhave 2 normalally closed momenary switches mounted one on front of grip and one on back, so when you grip it it hits back switch (laser) then fire with front

STHORNE's idea would be what your are after aswell

Posted: Sun Jun 15, 2008 8:52 am
by sandman
Carlman wrote:orhave 2 normalally closed momenary switches mounted one on front of grip and one on back, so when you grip it it hits back switch (laser) then fire with front

STHORNE's idea would be what your are after aswell
this is the best idea IMO

Posted: Sun Jun 15, 2008 1:20 pm
by ronnieoverby
good suggestions. thank you very much!

Posted: Sun Jun 15, 2008 1:24 pm
by Carlman
ronnieoverby wrote:good suggestions. thank you very much!
which are you going with?

Posted: Sun Jun 15, 2008 2:10 pm
by ronnieoverby
probably going with yours carlman. STHORNE's suggestion was good, but maybe more work than the front back idea.

Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2008 6:53 pm
by jimmy101
This kind of switch is usually called a "two stage" (2-stage) switch. They are often used as the shutter release buttons in modern cameras. Depress the switch a bit and the autofocus circuitry is activated. Depress it further and the shutter is activated (often with a tactile feedback "click").

Here's a data sheet for one of'm;
http://industrial.panasonic.com/ww/news ... C101_e.pdf

I searched Mouser and Digikey but couldn't find any two stage switches.

Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2008 9:39 pm
by TurboSuper
Huh, I forgot about the camera shutter, silly me :(