Question about flipper buttons..

AE35

New member
Joined
Oct 20, 2009
Messages
314
Reaction score
0
Location
Copenhagen, Denmark
Hey!

These are just thoughts. When I get a machine home, the leaf switches at the flipper
buttons are usually very tired:), and the buttons themselves are nasty.

So, I usually order new leafs and buttons, but are there any reason why a microswitch
button couldn't be used? Like a Sanwa with built-in microswitch. I think these should be
able to hold the current, or?

Is it the feel, maybe?

Button_Sanwa_large.jpg
 
Whether or not it will handle the current depends upon the switch itself. Some microswitches can handle 0.1 to 26A. To be safe, you'd need to know the part number of the actual switch or who made them to be sure.

As far as feel goes, you may or may not feel the difference. I have heard some folks say they can hear the "click" of the switch.

Phil
 
Ok, so there are people doing this?

Another advantage could be less stress on your hands...Sanwa buttons are very
easy to press.

I would love to hear what people who use/don't use this says
 
It's going to "feel" pretty different. I, personally, wouldn't like it. You (might) have to drill the hole bigger depending on the button.

Edward
 
I feel those would not handle the current. Most Williams DC flippers draw considerable current. Ever notice how thick the contacts are on the EOS and cabinet flipper switches? That's because they are made of tungsten.
 
Hey!

These are just thoughts. When I get a machine home, the leaf switches at the flipper
buttons are usually very tired:), and the buttons themselves are nasty.

So, I usually order new leafs and buttons, but are there any reason why a microswitch
button couldn't be used? Like a Sanwa with built-in microswitch. I think these should be
able to hold the current, or?

Is it the feel, maybe?

Button_Sanwa_large.jpg

You could only use those on games that don't pass the high current through the cabinet switches (newer games). Otherwise the contacts on those switches will be welded together within a few flips.

Micro-switch buttons are a bad idea for a number of reasons. I wouldn't waste my time personally.
 
Last edited:
Ok, it may not be the best idea.

But it seems that a cherry microswitch can hold
10A...wouldn't that be enough for a flipper with 50V and, well, 4 or 5 ohm resistance?
 
The feel alone would make it a no for me. Micro switches verses leafs just feels terrible. It's like playing a Pac Man that someone pulled the original leaf spring joy and installed a micro switch joy in it's place. The action feels wrong and the clicking sucks.
 
The material that the contacts inside the switch are made from is a bigger problem than the amperage rating but 10A still isn't enough for a flipper coil. You might be able to get a micro-switch with high current contacts but I bet it would be a lot more expensive than the conventional leaf switch style. Any switch you're going to find that's intended for arcade game use isn't going to work for the reason Ken mentioned. They're not designed to switch large inductive loads. Again, all this applies only to games using high current flipper switches. You could definitely use micro-switch buttons in games using low current flipper switches.

You could always try it and see what happens. Just make sure you've got the correct flipper fuse installed.
 
You could always try it and see what happens. Just make sure you've got the correct flipper fuse installed.

Better yet.....use a 15-20 amp fuse....and install some of those translucent buttons. It'll be fun to watch the light show everytime you push the button (that is, until they catch on fire or melt).

Edward
 
Back
Top Bottom