PicoSwitch - Magnetic RC On-Off Switch for batteries JST BEC plugs
Description
If the switch is mounted under fuse skin the magnet can be outside and the switch inside, so the RC can be switched on without removing the access hatch. Careful firmware design ensures that stray magnetic fields cannot toggle the switch incorrectly.
The device defaults to on when first powered up - this safety feature means that if there is a brief voltage drop caused by a bad connection or low battery voltage the device will stay on when the voltage returns. It also means that the model can be flown if the magnet is lost, just unplug and re-plug the receiver battery to switch it on.
The benefits of this magnetic RC on-off switch
- Clever firmware indicates when the switch is sensing the magnet to give instant feedback.
- When switched on the LED flashes indicating the RC is now on.
- The flashes are very brief to keep the switch's energy usage to a minimum.
- The magnetic switch utilises a Hall Effect Sensor (no mechanical switching parts).
- Safe and reliable :
- Default to on - if the battery is disconnected and then reconnected the output will turn on every time.
- The magnetic switch is programmed to ensure the magnet is over the sensor for 3 seconds without interruption and only then will it toggle the switch state.
- Extremely resilient to magnetic interference due to the algorithm used.
- Allows a fully waterproof installation in RC boats and yachts.
Switch Installation
When the switch is plugged into the power supply for the first time the output will turn on and the LED will flash.
- Place the switch as close to the fuselage or wing surface as possible.
- Use a thin piece of double sided tape to hold the switch in place.
- To locate the sensor simply sweep over the approximate sensor location area, when the Hall effect device sees the magnet the LED will turn solid on indicating the perfect position.
- Use a marker pen and mark where the sensor is located.
Magnetic Switch Operation
- To turn the switch off place the supplied magnet over the sensor and the LED will light up continuously. Hold the magnet in place for 3 seconds without interruption. Tip: count 1, 1000, 2, 2000, 3, 3000.
- To turn on the RC hold the magnet over the sensor again, no delay required.
Please ensure a full range check of the model is undertaken prior to use. The pack includes the switch and two small neodymium magnets - one needed plus a spare. It does not include the Magnetic Keyfob and Lanyard shown in the related products sidebar. To mount the magnet and make it more visible cut some balsawood to the required size, make a hole for the magnet, and cover it with sticky tape.
| PicoSwitch Magnetic RC Switch Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Weight | 2.8 g (0.1 oz) |
| Switch dimensions | 15 mm x 8 mm x 4 mm |
| Overall length inc leads | 14 cm |
| Max continuous current | 3 A |
| Max current for 5s | 10 A |
| Supply voltage | 3.0V - 14.5V (1S to 3S LiPo, 3 to 6 cells NiMH) |
| On Vdrop @ 1.3A | 40 mV |
| Off quiescent current | 4 µA |
| Operating temperature | -20°C to +50°C |
| Servo Cable Colour Code | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Usage | JR | Futaba | |
| Battery positive | + | Red | Red |
| Battery negative | - | Brown | Black |
| Servo signal | S | Orange | White |
Reviews 19
Neat bit of kit, used in a scale glider but you do need to be very accurate with the positioning of the fob for turning off and because of the delay it is just as easy to open the canopy and unplug a connector. Another club member uses a >>>>> one which is far faster.
great service i ordered the wrong item,this was quickly sorted and refunded
Great service ordered the wrong item but was quickly sorted and exchanged
Great service ordered the wrong item but was quickly sorted and exchanged
1st class service as usual from Neil at Hyperflight, looks a good piece of kit ,small & very light. waiting for Vortex 3, to arrive so cant comment on reliability, but seems to work perfectly as described , nice one!
Bought for my RG65 model yacht. Excellent prompt service and brilliant product. Many thanks.
Bought two for my dlg models. Extremely light and convenient to fit. Struggles a bit to turn off through a carbon fuz but great product. Mine had magnets included.
Clever switch which, if placed correctly inside a fibreglass fuselage, replaces the old type of switch with a better, and hopefully more reliable, option. Not cheap, and sadly doesn't come with the magnet, but saves you having to remove the canopy to access the switch.
This little gadget saves removing canopy every time that you need to turn off power to the radio . Canopy should last much longer.
A lot of my friends use Zepsus. I find the Practical RC products more reliable. The microcontroller in the Practical RC switches handles the states better, with a defined state on power up (on) and reliable long term state. I never unplug my Picoswitches. Even after the winter my batteries are still holding their charge from when I stored them. I have observed how other switches randomly turn on during storage, deep discharging - and destroying - the battery. You will tell me, you just have to unplug the switch during storage - I am telling you use a switch from Practical RC and you don't have to do that.
I've got to be honest and say I'm disappointed that these switches don't come with a fob for the small magnet that is supplied, I'm sure I can glue it to lollipop stick or something but surely better to supply the switch with a fob even if it cost a little more.
An excellent upgrade from a mechanical switch. Small enough to fit in any size model. Just mount, plug & play - perfect. Great service from Hyperflight !
Fast delivery. No issue with space in the pod as this is tiny!
Perfect little gimmick ! Good service, shipping to the Netherlands took almost 10 days, I I have seen quicker. But the items were well worth the wait !
It works! Just fitted to my Techone one metre DLG. Good service from Hyperflight too.
It works! Just fitted to my Techone one metre DLG. Good service from Hyperflight too.
