Problems with magnetic reed switches (from Colkan Eagle thread)

silent running · 3rd April 2007, 19:25

Quote: (Originally Posted by koputai)

Nope, magnetic reed switches are too unreliable. Just ask any PRISM owner or many classic Inspo owners. These switches break or fail to operate. There are better solutions, and they are being trialed. Jason.

Well Jason, I just returned from another trip to Indo and another 50+ hrs of trouble free Prism diving. And after nearly 400 hrs without one dive missed, I'd say my magnetic reed on/off switch has never given me a problem. What's to go wrong? It's a pc of plastic that slides back and forth inside another pc of plastic. If it got damaged, I could epoxy it back together in 10 minutes.

Don't the classic Inspo swiches have springs in them? I don't think they are the same as the Prism.

And what are these other options being trialed?

The Eagle looks very nice, but I'm not a fan of BM CL units. But if I were...

koputai · 3rd April 2007, 23:48

Quote: (Originally Posted by silent running)

I'd say my magnetic reed on/off switch has never given me a problem. What's to go wrong? It's a pc of plastic that slides back and forth inside another pc of plastic. If it got damaged, I could epoxy it back together in 10 minutes.

Sorry, I'm not talking about the outer mechanism, but the actual glass encapsulated reed switch. The PRISM uses 5 of them in the secondary, if any of your switch positions on the secondary don't work, it's more than likely a failed reed switch. I'm glad to hear you're trouble free!

Quote:

And what are these other options being trialed?

A push switch mounted through the housing.

Cheers,
Jason.

Mike · 4th April 2007, 11:58

Quote: (Originally Posted by silent running)

And after nearly 400 hrs without one dive missed, I'd say my magnetic reed on/off switch has never given me a problem. What's to go wrong? It's a pc of plastic that slides back and forth inside another pc of plastic. If it got damaged, I could epoxy it back together in 10 minutes.

Weeell
I've had two switches. On one, I could remove the magnet from the switch completely and the unit would stay on. On the other I needed to double up the magnet to make it turn on, and even then it would bump off.
Think I kept the one that sticks on.

Never had a problem with my secondary though.

Like a lot of stuff, reed switches can fail.

Mike

koputai · 4th April 2007, 23:24

I've got a PRISM secondary here with a failed switch (can't see sensor reading), and an on/off switch that stays on (you have to bump it to turn the unit off). Reed switches can fail in either the open or closed positions.

Cheers,
Jason.

Underwaterbear · 5th April 2007, 00:06

The epoxy sealing around the magnet on my on/off switch seems like it was imperfect (imagine that) and has allowed moisture to get in around the magnet. The reult is that corrosion has grown in the recess and cracked the magnet housing. The switch still works but I'm going to have to remove the magnet and reseat it and re-epoxy...or throw it away and get a new slider.

silent running · 5th April 2007, 02:30

Quote: (Originally Posted by Mike)

Weeell
I've had two switches. On one, I could remove the magnet from the switch completely and the unit would stay on. On the other I needed to double up the magnet to make it turn on, and even then it would bump off.
Think I kept the one that sticks on.

Never had a problem with my secondary though.

Like a lot of stuff, reed switches can fail.

Mike

Sorry for the digression/hijack folks.

OK Mike, I guess I understand now. Sounds odd though, but exactly how do the on/off mag reed switches manage to stick on?

I heard that the mag reeds that screwed up on the 2dry dials were because of metal filings that got stuck under the dial to the magnet, is that the cause?

***jradomski*** · 5th April 2007, 04:56

Quote: (Originally Posted by silent running)

Sorry for the digression/hijack folks.

OK Mike, I guess I understand now. Sounds odd though, but exactly how do the on/off mag reed switches manage to stick on?

I heard that the mag reeds that screwed up on the 2dry dials were because of metal filings that got stuck under the dial to the magnet, is that the cause?

there are various failures that reed switches experience.. excessive shock can break the glass, or bend the internal mechanism (can force both open and closed failures).. also a current spike can weld the contacts on..

Mike · 5th April 2007, 05:07

Quote: (Originally Posted by silent running)

Sorry for the digression/hijack folks.

OK Mike, I guess I understand now. Sounds odd though, but exactly how do the on/off mag reed switches manage to stick on?

I heard that the mag reeds that screwed up on the 2dry dials were because of metal filings that got stuck under the dial to the magnet, is that the cause?

My assumption is that the magnet moves the 'reed' in the switch and it sticks against the contact slightly - needing a bump to make it unstick and the contact break. I assume that one day it will fail and need replacing. No big deal.

I've seen metal flakes cause the issue with a secondary, but I also know of a secondary where the switches just don't work. It may well be the same one that Jason has...

Mike

**DeepBlueInnovation** · 5th April 2007, 07:06

Yep, I have a suspected reed switch failure on the battery reading on my secondary, suspected because I am not sending it back as all the critical features work!

As an aside I am in the process of swapping from the original harness to backplate/adaptor setup and will post photos when done. I am using a replacement for the plastic mounting plate that was created by Craig Challen/Luke Nelson and am looking forward to testing.

Chris · 5th April 2007, 07:29

My on/off switch on the PRISM was always f&%^ing up, took 4 or 5 goes to get it to turn on or off, sometimes more.
Never really bothered me that much, just part of the PRISM's unique features.

Don't get me started on the SMI Secondary, its Easter and we should be kind to one another......

Cheers
Chriso

3rd April 2007, 19:25	#1 (permalink)
silent running Mature mouth breather Current Rebreather/s: Prism Topaz Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: U.S.A. Brooklyn, New York Posts: 1,836	Re: Colkan Eagle Quote: (Originally Posted by koputai) Nope, magnetic reed switches are too unreliable. Just ask any PRISM owner or many classic Inspo owners. These switches break or fail to operate. There are better solutions, and they are being trialed. Jason. Well Jason, I just returned from another trip to Indo and another 50+ hrs of trouble free Prism diving. And after nearly 400 hrs without one dive missed, I'd say my magnetic reed on/off switch has never given me a problem. What's to go wrong? It's a pc of plastic that slides back and forth inside another pc of plastic. If it got damaged, I could epoxy it back together in 10 minutes. Don't the classic Inspo swiches have springs in them? I don't think they are the same as the Prism. And what are these other options being trialed? The Eagle looks very nice, but I'm not a fan of BM CL units. But if I were...
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3rd April 2007, 23:48	#2 (permalink)
koputai Subsea Systems Current Rebreather/s: MK 15.X Other CCR Other SCR Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Other CCR Other SCR Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 333	Re: Colkan Eagle Quote: (Originally Posted by silent running) I'd say my magnetic reed on/off switch has never given me a problem. What's to go wrong? It's a pc of plastic that slides back and forth inside another pc of plastic. If it got damaged, I could epoxy it back together in 10 minutes. Sorry, I'm not talking about the outer mechanism, but the actual glass encapsulated reed switch. The PRISM uses 5 of them in the secondary, if any of your switch positions on the secondary don't work, it's more than likely a failed reed switch. I'm glad to hear you're trouble free! Quote: And what are these other options being trialed? A push switch mounted through the housing. Cheers, Jason.
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4th April 2007, 11:58	#3 (permalink)
Mike Prism 'prentice Current Rebreather/s: Prism Topaz Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Evolution Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Melbourne Posts: 328	Re: Colkan Eagle Quote: (Originally Posted by silent running) And after nearly 400 hrs without one dive missed, I'd say my magnetic reed on/off switch has never given me a problem. What's to go wrong? It's a pc of plastic that slides back and forth inside another pc of plastic. If it got damaged, I could epoxy it back together in 10 minutes. Weeell I've had two switches. On one, I could remove the magnet from the switch completely and the unit would stay on. On the other I needed to double up the magnet to make it turn on, and even then it would bump off. Think I kept the one that sticks on. Never had a problem with my secondary though. Like a lot of stuff, reed switches can fail. Mike __________________ Open ....... Closed Mind ........ Loop
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4th April 2007, 23:24	#4 (permalink)
koputai Subsea Systems Current Rebreather/s: MK 15.X Other CCR Other SCR Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Other CCR Other SCR Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 333	Re: Colkan Eagle I've got a PRISM secondary here with a failed switch (can't see sensor reading), and an on/off switch that stays on (you have to bump it to turn the unit off). Reed switches can fail in either the open or closed positions. Cheers, Jason.
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5th April 2007, 00:06	#5 (permalink)
Underwaterbear A Prismer in Megland Current Rebreather/s: Prism Topaz Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: May 2005 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 190	Re: Colkan Eagle The epoxy sealing around the magnet on my on/off switch seems like it was imperfect (imagine that) and has allowed moisture to get in around the magnet. The reult is that corrosion has grown in the recess and cracked the magnet housing. The switch still works but I'm going to have to remove the magnet and reseat it and re-epoxy...or throw it away and get a new slider.
(Online)

5th April 2007, 02:30	#6 (permalink)
silent running Mature mouth breather Current Rebreather/s: Prism Topaz Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: U.S.A. Brooklyn, New York Posts: 1,836	Re: Colkan Eagle Quote: (Originally Posted by Mike) Weeell I've had two switches. On one, I could remove the magnet from the switch completely and the unit would stay on. On the other I needed to double up the magnet to make it turn on, and even then it would bump off. Think I kept the one that sticks on. Never had a problem with my secondary though. Like a lot of stuff, reed switches can fail. Mike Sorry for the digression/hijack folks. OK Mike, I guess I understand now. Sounds odd though, but exactly how do the on/off mag reed switches manage to stick on? I heard that the mag reeds that screwed up on the 2dry dials were because of metal filings that got stuck under the dial to the magnet, is that the cause?
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5th April 2007, 04:56	#7 (permalink)
*jradomski* Moderator Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Sport Kiss Optima rEvo Other CCR Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Vision Evolution Megalodon Classic Kiss rEvo Other CCR Home Build Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: "Da" Bronx Posts: 2,996	Re: Colkan Eagle Quote: (Originally Posted by silent running) Sorry for the digression/hijack folks. OK Mike, I guess I understand now. Sounds odd though, but exactly how do the on/off mag reed switches manage to stick on? I heard that the mag reeds that screwed up on the 2dry dials were because of metal filings that got stuck under the dial to the magnet, is that the cause? there are various failures that reed switches experience.. excessive shock can break the glass, or bend the internal mechanism (can force both open and closed failures).. also a current spike can weld the contacts on.. __________________ Joe Radomski CCR Trimix Instructor Trainer ANDI Instructor Trainer Director #10 All posts are personal opinions and DO NOT reflect any affiliated agency unless specifically stated.
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5th April 2007, 05:07	#8 (permalink)
Mike Prism 'prentice Current Rebreather/s: Prism Topaz Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Evolution Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Melbourne Posts: 328	Re: Colkan Eagle Quote: (Originally Posted by silent running) Sorry for the digression/hijack folks. OK Mike, I guess I understand now. Sounds odd though, but exactly how do the on/off mag reed switches manage to stick on? I heard that the mag reeds that screwed up on the 2dry dials were because of metal filings that got stuck under the dial to the magnet, is that the cause? My assumption is that the magnet moves the 'reed' in the switch and it sticks against the contact slightly - needing a bump to make it unstick and the contact break. I assume that one day it will fail and need replacing. No big deal. I've seen metal flakes cause the issue with a secondary, but I also know of a secondary where the switches just don't work. It may well be the same one that Jason has... Mike __________________ Open ....... Closed Mind ........ Loop
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5th April 2007, 07:06	#9 (permalink)
DeepBlueInnovation Learning to Kiss Current Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Other Rebreather/s: Prism Topaz Not Bought Yet Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 362	Re: Problems with magnetic reed switches (from Colkan Eagle thread) Yep, I have a suspected reed switch failure on the battery reading on my secondary, suspected because I am not sending it back as all the critical features work! As an aside I am in the process of swapping from the original harness to backplate/adaptor setup and will post photos when done. I am using a replacement for the plastic mounting plate that was created by Craig Challen/Luke Nelson and am looking forward to testing.
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5th April 2007, 07:29	#10 (permalink)
Chris Go Nude Or Go Home Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Megalodon Prism Topaz Sport Kiss Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 609	Re: Problems with magnetic reed switches (from Colkan Eagle thread) My on/off switch on the PRISM was always f&%^ing up, took 4 or 5 goes to get it to turn on or off, sometimes more. Never really bothered me that much, just part of the PRISM's unique features. Don't get me started on the SMI Secondary, its Easter and we should be kind to one another...... Cheers Chriso __________________ Megalodon Sorb and Sensors whilst in Australia www.divetub.com.au Diving & Photography @ www.uwphotog.com
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