AV Switch in a Standard AAA-battery Initiate

[greywolf520]

Hello again all.

I've ordered a green lit AV switch from US for my Dark Initiate, which only has the standard quad-AAA battery pack setup.  Somebody in another thread mentioned I would need to "resistor" it.

I'm a fair hand at soldering and understand basic wiring, so can anybody be more specific on exactly what I need to buy and do?

(The LiIon pack is on the wish list for later, and so is sound, but for now, I just need to make it work as-is.)

[firehand10k]

You will need a resistor in line with the LED to make sure you don't blow it. I don't know the exact resistance but there are menu places to look those up.
What I am really thinking is that the lit AV switches listed on the US electronics page are all momentary and a standard AAA setup requires a latching switch. I know that they also have latching switches they use on the chosen one but those are deep and from what I have read take a activation block to fit.
Did you make sure to get the latching switch?

[greywolf520]

*sigh*  of course not.     I got this.

So what does that mean?  Without some kind of circuit board (LED or sound), I only get a saber that turns on when I hold the switch down?

In unrelated news, I took apart my saber today, and on the black wire leading from the battery pack, there's already a resistor.  It's labeled with a capital M inside a box (I assume to be a brand or makers' mark), followed by "3W," and on the next line "2 • 0 Ω 5%."  So maybe it's already properly resistored?  A spark of good news one hopes?

[firehand10k]

That is the resistor for your main LED. You will need one like it leading to the light up switch also.

Yes sounded like you got the idea with the switch. Unless there is a control circuit that maintains power when the switch is released, such as on sound cards or LED drivers like emerald, the momentary switch will only light the saber when held. I latching switch latches when pressed that's why you can hear the click on the guarded switch.

[greywolf520]

Alrightythen.  The complexity increases.

So I see that the obsidian sound board is $125, but I can't seem to find a standalone Emerald driver on the US website.  Any idea whether I'm just missing it somewhere, or how much it would cost?

Also, are there cheaper drivers out there?  I'd love to get away with not spending more than $50 more on this than I already have...

[firehand10k]

I haven't seen the emerald driver available alone. You would have to email US directly about that.

There are some cheaper options available elsewhere but not with the same functionality.

[agony]

If you're trying to install an AV momentary switch into a stunt saber, your best bet would be to get a momentary-to-latching-converter.  They are cheap and easy to install if you're handy with a soldering iron.

[Relan Tarel jedi kinght]

I use the momentary a latching converter I love them and that are easy to install if you decide to get one let me know if you need help I'll post a wiring diagram

[greywolf520]

I think the momentary-latching converter is the way to go for now.  I've only found them in one place so far though (TCSS), and they're out of stock...

[firehand10k]

Google it there are many electronics suppliers with them. Just remember to take it back out when you install the sound.

[greywolf520]

Right on.  (I hate being such a newb and asking such basic questions.  Sigh.)

So given that a AAA battery has a 1.5 voltage, does voltage add by number of batteries, or is it a constant?

I ask because these switch converters come in options 2.5-7v and 4.5-20v.

[firehand10k]

Yes they are in parallel so they add up. You have 6volts there now. When you switch to Li-Ion setup to fit sound there will be only two batteries but 3.7 volts each for 7.4 volt total. You will want the higher on to be sure.

[greywolf520]

Finally, a break!  The higher voltage one is in stock!

You guys are tremendous.  Points for everybody.

[Relan Tarel jedi kinght]

Right on
Just let us know if you need help with the wiring

[greywolf520]

Yep.  Looks like I could use some wiring assistance.  I've been doing some research but I'm still a NewbTard when it comes to basic electronics.

So, to review, these five things are all I have to wire:

1. Your basic green single LED that came standard in the saber;
2. Your basic quad-AAA battery setup that came standard in the saber;
3. A single resistor that came standard in the saber, off the black wire coming out of the battery pack (I believe).  It's labeled with a capital M inside a box (I assume to be a brand or makers' mark), followed by "3W," and on the next line "2 • 0 Ω 5%."

4. A new Momentary to latching converter 4.5-20V from TCSS,
5. A new Illuminated Green AV momentary switch from US.

It's been said I need to purchase an additional resistor (or a buckpuck?) for the Illuminated switch.  I'm assuming that means a single resistor on the circuit won't regulate the current to both LED's.  I'm also assuming what I need is available at Radio Shack.  What would I be asking for / looking for?

Assuming a purchase of another resistor, how would I wire together those six things?