Remote FET / capacitor tail switch board group buy (collecting interest)

Buy / Sell Want to Sell
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Howdy, folks. I’m creating this thread to collect interest in the battery free FET tail switch board circuit I’ve designed with the help of Quadruple doing the PCB layout (Thank you). I’ve gotten interest from a few members for a few hundred pieces “depending on price”. As always, price depends on how many pieces, so here we go…

17 and 20mm boards will be exist.

I have a two main options in mind. Prices are ballparked off of a few quotes and my specified components at qty pricing. I will update them when better info is available. Note they are cushioned just a bit, so expect at least a small discount.

1) I buy all the components and supply them as a kit for DIYers. Price is estimated at ~4USD + shipping. Min qty to do this is ~100 committed.
2) I have these assembled (without a spring, so just the FET/cap/pcb) and distribute them. ~6USD + shipping. Min qty to do this is ~500 committed.

Qty discounts can apply if we get further along in this process.

A potential third option exists that for the smaller qtys, I could hand assemble these boards for about the same ~6USD, but I can only do this for 10s of boards, not 100s. Quadruple may or may not offer these as well. I’ll let him speak for that. Additionally, the design and parts list will be made available after everything is tested to work to my satisfaction.

Status:

May 3 2021: Initial proof of concept circuit was verified to work. Light will stay on for up to ~10minutes at a time (per switch cycle), which is way longer than anyone seems to need/want for a remote pressure switch. Despite this, with the lower gate voltage mosfet and optimized capacitor, this should improve on the prototype board.

May 11 2021: Prototype board designed and components ordered. Will hand assemble and fully test. Results will be posted.

May 19 2021: Oshpark boards scheduled completion for May 27th (17mm). 20mm boards being designed and will get expedited, hopefully arrive before or at the same time as the 17s. Components arriving tomorrow. Continuing to search for cost reductions, package changes may occur. Will release all details once prototypes are finished. Working with Zappaman to source high quality tape switches. Buying a C8+ host to design an adapter/spacer.
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Interest list in Post #2
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Interest List:

Name - Shipping Country - Qty / Size - Format - Conditions?

1) Funtastic - New Zealand - 100 / ? - Assembled - NA

2) Zappaman - USA - 25 / ? - Kit - Bleeder resistor support

3) Caleb - ??? - “few” / 17+20mm - Assembled - 2S compatibility ?

4) id30209 - Croatia - 4+4 / 17+20mm - Assembled - NA

5) yasenf - Bulgaria - 100 / 17mm - Assembled - NA

6) Kawiboy1428 - USA - 10 / 20mm - Assembled - NA

7) mountainair26 - ??? - 3 / ? - Assembled - NA

8) Rat - Australia - 3 / 17mm

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Put me down for 100pcs at the moment :slight_smile:

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I can’t use a hundred, but I need about 25 right now. But I’d do more (maybe double that) if I had to to get the numbers up for this to work. I’d MUCH prefer them assembled and would take a “short-order” (3-5 for immediate field/beta testing) sooner than later!

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That’s very doable. I bought enough to make 10. Anybody who wants some for beta testing let me know. USA shipping is easy, Funtastic, let me know what is the best method for NZ if you are interested as well.

6

I’m interested in a few of each size, assembled please.

Thanks

7

4 of each assembled please

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JaredM…

I see you are from USA and Quadrupel is from Europe…

I am from Europe and I know that shipping from USA to EU is PITA. Expensive plus additional 25% of tax on whole order.

So your idea to include Quadrupel in this story would be great for EU costumers.

I need to try sample order to see weather it will work ok for my rig.

So far from what I can see it looks fairly simple with enough room for soldering components. :+1:

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Are these compatible with 2S lights?

Thanks

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A 2S spec can be made. Currently I have ordered a 6.3V capacitor. 10V would be required for 2S. Easy enough change to make. Mosfet is okay with 2S

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Whatever is cheapest haha, I’m not familiar with what’s available over there. Needs to be tracked though.

Zappaman mentioned he’ll pot these, they don’t need it do they? I’ve never had an issue with any Convoy driver failing due to recoil

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To clarify… I’d only pot the FET in the tail (mostly to waterproof it) using JaredM’s punch through the silicon tail method. As there will be no battery (that may need servicing after a few years), I can’t see why I wouldn’t “pot” the thing (with silicon most likely, but ideas???)

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Silicone is most appropriate if you go that route. I think this method along with a spacer ring(s) the same thickness as the switches they replace makes this a near universal fit.

This board also provides reverse polarity protection intrinsically.

Hoping parts show up next week.

14

Just pulled out my Sofirn pressure switch and it also requires too much pressure on the pad, no different to Convoy’s. I guess we can all go our own route with what we buy since this thread is just for the boards.

15

Put me down for 100 pcs. Good overall price could be achieved if we have finished switch assembled in China, with this setup the final price of the product will get 5x times the regular Convoy switch. If Simon manages to source locally the wire/button and assemle the switch, I guess we can finish ~ 2x price of current switch, which will bring totally different numbers of orders.

16

Yes, but if it’s assembled in China the guys who designed it wouldn’t get paid

17

From what I understand from JaredM… this PCB can easily be soldered by most who own an iron. So I’m now ordering mine in “kits” Vs. assembled since there are no specially soldering tools needed. I ALSO understand there is a mod needed on the driver, wondering how that might work (*as we use these for different lights)? Might need tech support there ;)>

18

A bleeder resistor is needed on the driver. It’s the same concept as using a lighted tail switch.

If someone else is interested in producing these in another place they can go for it. I’m going to make these in the USA, either all myself or with domestic manufacturing. The price is in line with what Lexel used to sell his boards without the need for a button cell.

I’m waiting on Oshpark to deliver these pcbs. Hoping to finalize this by the 24th of May and ship by June 4.

19

I would like (10) 20mm assembled… please…

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I am still in for 100 pcs 17 mm assembled. I do not want to produce anywhere, just shared why my forecast is so low.