Mountain switches

[surfsup]

I use a DPDT for the bright switch (express, etc) and on one amp I have had to replace three of them in less than a year because the contacts go bad. WTF! Did I just get a bad batch or are any of you having similar issues? (ordered from Mouser)

Just curious also what other brands peeps are using.

These are on-off-on switches. If I jiggle the toggle switch the amp shorts out, etc. Time to replace this one....again. This might actually be the third replacement now that I think of it.

[chief mushroom cloud]

get the NKKs...don't forget, you get what you pay for

[Gaz]

Maybe you're overheating them? If not, I think the CMC is right. Apex Jr. Has some new surplus ones that are good for the price of the Mountains.

[George61]

+1 on NKK

[ampgeek]

Interesting!

I have been using Mountain lighted switches in on-off applications and the unlit types in standby applications for about 6 years now and have never had a problem.

These are the low profile, black plastic rocker switches as opposed to the bat variety.

Dave O.

[martin manning]

I've used a bunch of Mountain mini toggle switches with no failures (yet), but I have noticed that they don't all feel the same when they are operated, and I also find that I have to hold the soldering iron on the terminals longer than I'd like to to get a good joint. Maybe it's time to try some NKK...

[vibratoking]

I have had quite a few failures with the bat type that has the red plastic body. I'll have to check out some of the NKKs. Failures include broken bat, noisy contacts, failure to switch at all, and shorted poles. It is an inconvience...glad I don't have an amp business with large quantities of them in the field...

[surfsup]

I have had quite a few failures with the bat type that has the red plastic body.

Same ones. Red toggles. They are soldered with care. They work for 3-4 months, then suddenly poof...I start getting intermittent issues forcing replacement. Sounds like I need to switch.

[Gaz]

Ok, guys, maybe let's not make generalizations about 'red switches'. There are lots of companies that make those. Not all red switches are created equal! My motto is: "Don't buy the cheapest, but the 2nd cheapest." I've never encountered a broken switch because of it.

[selloutrr]

It's not the switch. You are most likely using an under spec'd part. One bad switch maybe. Multiples not a chance that points to a circuit or tolerance problem. You should probably measure the current going through the switch and replace with part made to handle it.

[surfsup]

It's not the switch. You are most likely using an under spec'd part.

I have them in 6A/125VAC switch rating. Used for a bright switch.

[pula58]

I have recently been using the mountain switches because I like the one with a really short bat (less prone to being snapped off).
I sure hope they don't start failing on me!