Problem with Kadee pushbuttons.

H

Hunkiedoo

New Member
I have been having switch machine problems and traced the problem to non-functioning Kadee pushbuttons on my control panel. (If I go under my control panel & touch a wire to the PB case and the PB "stinger" the switches throw fine. Pushing the button with my finger however results in erratic or no action).

- Has anyone else had this problem?
- Is there a genetic flaw in Kadee PBs that I don't know about?
- I use a capacitor discharge for switch machine power; Could this be relevant?
- can the PBs be brought back to life? I was thinking of spraying them with WD40 or alchol, or something. (I find their tiny size aesthetically pleasing & would like to salvage them if I could).
- Are there good, reliable alternative PBs on the market?
- What about a spring loaded center-off toggle? Such a thing? Suppliers?
 
ezdays

ezdays

Out AZ way
I'm not familiar with the Kadee pushbuttons, but if they are like any other, once they go bad, it's best to just throw them away. Using them on a CD unit shouldn't screw them up thought.

'm using some old pushbuttons on a temporary panel I built to test my new tracks, but I eventually will go with the three-position, spring-loaded miniture toggles. I get them at Circuit Specialists. I bought a lot of switches from them when we had our electronic manufacturing business and you can deal with them on the net or by phone. I paid a little over a dollar each for them. Another source is Demar Electronics that adveertise in MR mag. Prices there are a bit higher. I can't vouch for them since I've never bought there, but they advertise all the time.
 
6

60103

Pooh Bah
I have a couple of Kadee pushbuttons left, but they're out of use. Kadee stopped making them a while ago, I'm told. Never found anything else that size.
Are these the ones with the big metal clip that goes around the barrel? I had problems with that when I tried to solder to it.
Not sure about replacements. Radio Shack buttons seem to expire quickly; I think there are identical looking ones that are sturdier.
 
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