Switch

[hargard]

Hi
I need some information on a switch circuit.
I am building a RoV (Remotely Operated Vehicle) and the main body is 5mm thick acrylic.
I need to be able to switch the main power on and off with out making any holes in the RoV.
A magnetic switch that latches is what springs to mind.
I know there must be a load of other methods out there but I am no sparkey.
The power is 12 volts and max amp would be 12.
Its gota be simple like me :) as I’ve gota build it.

Regards Hargard RoV Builder

[MatC]

So you want to be able to switch something on and off through 5mm acrylic, and keep things waterproof I'm guessing.

Assuming you want it as easy as poss (no rf, IR or ultrasound...)... how about a reed switch and a relay? Magnet on the outside, reedswitch on the inside, reedswitch throws the relay, relay powers everything else, no latching. Arrange the magnet so it stays in place on the outside is simplest... perhaps a lever so it moves the magnet into place and holds it there?

If you want the relay to latch, you will need another reedswitch and another relay to unlatch it. Not horrifically complicated, but if you're at the start of a project I wouldn't go so far just yet.

Remember that with the reed switch, the magnet wants to be towards one end, not in the middle (because that will magnetise both leaves the same, and then they'll repel each other...).

[bravokilo]

Hargard:
I Can Help You With An Rc Switch But Pls Tell Me If You Are Of Course Intending To Use One Of The Channels In Your Receiver To Trigger It. Simplest Is To Use A Servo And Kick In A Microswitch Which In Turn Can Fire Up A Heavy Current 12, 12 A Relay. You Can Try The Horn Relay Used In Cars. With A Servo, You Can Also "latch" It ,meaning Keep It On Or Off By Keeping The Stick Where It Is(remove The Spring Inside). Better If You Have An Extra Channel With A Toggle Such As The One For "gear". Now, If You Have A Servo With A Broken Gear Not Worth Replacing, Open It Up, Remove The Motor And The Gears. Twist The Pot To One Side. Check The Two Wires To The Motor While Moving The Stick. You Will Find It Activated. Hook It Up To A Small As It Has Limited Current. The Camll Relay Can Then Turn On The Final Big Relay.

Bravokilo

[hargard]

Thanks Mat . I went with the magnet and reedswitch ,relay idea of yours. Works fine :)

Bravokilo The only downfull with that idea is the radio control is also supplied by the same batterys.

Thanks

[bravokilo]

Hargard, Hi, I see ,apparently, you did not meant to do via RC. However, for future consideration, if you intend to go RC and switch in one and off via the radio, a latching circuit will not use your receiver's battery, except to turn in on or off. The servo for example will drain very little current when stopped on the on position (push the micro sw). so, no big drain on the rx pack. and by the way, if you are using a heavy current battery on your ROV, a simple BEC is to use a 7805 voltage regulator IC which can use the same heavy duty batt to power the RX.

BravoKilo