PicoSwitch - Magnetic RC On-Off Switch for batteries with RC 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 50
I was looking for a way to switch power on and off in a model yacht. Most people remove deck patches to turn power off.
This seems crazy to me in the middle of winter when your fingers are freezing and it's probably raining. Replacing the deck patch perfectly is pretty much impossible.
Enter the Pico Switch. Fit the battery the evening before going sailing and seal the hatch in the comfort of your home.
I have now purchased 5 of them and they have worked flawlessly.
Great work!
Super little magnetic switch, works efficiently.
Bought this switch for my 1mtr rc yacht , it saves time having to un-seal / re-seal hatch with tape to switch power on/off on the receiver.
Ordered on a Tuesday it arrived next day.
Brilliant service hyperflight , well done.
Bought this switch for my 1mtr rc yacht , it saves time having to un-seal / re-seal hatch with tape to switch power on/off on the receiver.
Ordered on a Tuesday it arrived next day.
Brilliant service hyperflight , well done.
This is such a great product for model yachts. I just hate to remove and replace deck patches when it's raining. At a full day event I can turn the yacht off after a heat race and wait for the next one consuming no battery energy while most others are still depleting their batteries.
I can prepare my yacht the night before an event and know that battery drain overnight will be negligible.
Have bought 4 of these so far and am delighted!
Excellent switch, easy to install and operate. I have it in my IOM rc yachts. Definitely recommend it.
Since being introduced to these switches from Hyperflight I have installed them on all new gliders and am converting all unpowered gliders to same. Makes life so simple
Since being introduced to these switches from Hyperflight I have installed them on all new gliders and am converting all unpowered gliders to same. Makes life so simple
Used for battery supply in RG65 RC model yacht. Light, compact and seems to do the job well. Good description on website and comprehensive instructions with switch. Advantage in that came already fitted with just the right plugs I needed for easy installation.
Installed switch into my F3b glider, works well, so far , just have to hold the magnet in place for 3 sec to switch off the receiver, can be frustrating if you miss the spot. I will order some more in the near future
Ordered 4 of these switches to install in my DLGs. I was tired of plugging and unplugging the battery. Also, my hands are so big that several times I had pulled the wires out of the connector. These switches are working absolutly perfectly. A key benefit of this switch is that when plugged into a battery, the switch turns itself on without a magnet. That means if you lose/forget your magnet, you can still fly. My previous switches did not work that way, and ruined a few sessions due to me forgetting the magnet.
Bought for RC submarine. Checked it out on the bench and magnet switches on and off the switch through a 5mm thick wall of a plastic tube. The fact that it defaults to on when powered up is a great fail safe.
These switches are super light and easy to install and use.
Fantastic little switch, i use them in boats so fewer holes need drilling in the radio box. Just make sure that the switch itself is close to the lid for the magnet to work and make sure that when you first connect it, you may need to switch it off, default is on. Use this product with confidence, if it can take the banging and vibration of boats it should work on anything
Works very well in my DLG. I glued it to the fuselage in which I drilled a little hole so I can see the LED even when it is ready to fly.
I also appreciate the blink patterns: 1) slow: normal operation. Permanently on, 2) magnet nearby , so preparing switching off and 3) fast: switching off.
I soldered it to my 2s 350mAh battery and charging through the balancer with the PicoSwitch soldered is no problem at all.
I glued one of the magnets into the battery slot of my transmitter. Works fine and makes sure I will never loose it.
I was getting a bit nervous about constantly unplugging and plugging back in the battery on my DLGs so thought I would try one of these.
First impressions - wow it really is tiny. The actual switch is smaller than the servo plug and the whole thing weighs less than a dead greenfly so very impressed with that side of things.
As for it in operation - basically fit and forget. Been using it extensively over the last few days and no issues at all. For me it is a must have and I am now up to 3 switches - one for each of my DLGs and I will factor the cost of one into future DLG purchases also.
Every time we have an order it's the same great service and top quality items. If you fly gliders this is the first place to look .😀😀 Magnetic switch top item
Used in small model submarine. It allows me to turn on and off without breaking the seal. I added a signal lead to the harness which allows me to use it with an esc bec. This does leave power on the esc but not a problem really. First units got delayed in post but they supplied another 2 which arrived v quickly along with the original order. Law of sod. Good company to deal with
Used in small model submarine. It allows me to turn on and off without breaking the seal. I added a signal lead to the harness which allows me to use it with an esc bec. This does leave power on the esc but not a problem really. First units got delayed in post but they supplied another 2 which arrived v quickly along with the original order. Law of sod. Good company to deal with
An excellent little device. Will fit into the smallest model. I have a couple.
With Neil’s help I have just fitted a pico switch in a OO loco and it works great!
Great help and service from Neil.
use these on all my aerotow models- just so easy. if anything goes wrong they default to ON. no fumbling for hidden switches inside canopies. magic
Used in F5B. Use it without leaving the power harness to switch on after all the preparations for the flight. Only products that can ensure reliability and safety can be used.
Decided to spruce up my Wasabi. Recently realised the benefits of these switches, so removed the old slider switch, glassed the inside and micro ballooned the hole. I was painting the fuselage anyway, so now looks nice and neat. Switch ultra reliable and Neil's service A1
Very good service and very good products
You can always rely on Hyperflight for useful stuff that does what it say it will do
Excellent units that mean no switches or holes to let water in. All done by magnet/s. Would be good to find a charging system that can be done similarly. J
Great switch, I use it on my model yacht saves removing the cover every time. I just glued it under the carbon fibre hatch. I wish the magnet cam in a holder or on a string. I used red heat shrink to make a tube but I still lose it.
Being an early steam yacht it has traditional rigging to secure masts. The pico switch enables me to switch on electronics without removing the rigging.
Super bit of kit
Great small magnetic on off switch that fits nice and works well! Mounted in a small glider.
Perfect for installing in a PSS Hurricane to avoid having an unsightly switch on the ouside of the fuz. Works well.
Very useful for a hidden receiver switch/ works well
I bought this magnetic switch to fit to a model yacht.when i turn up at the club i plug in the battery to the switch then seal down the deck patch .from then on i can switch the receiver on and off with the magnet which is supplied.fantastic unit
Brilliant service as always form Neil at Hyperflight even across the pond to me in the US. The switch works great and is light and small!
Brilliant service as always form Neil at Hyperflight even across the pond to me in the US.
The best way to turn on and off my F3F gliders once on the slope.
The easy single swipe to turn on and the dright LED can be seen through the fiberglass nose cone.
And the 4 second delay to turn off is an extra safety feature against accidental turn off.
Awesome swithch, l have them in all my glider, bought more than 10.... A1+
I have these switches in all of my gliders to ease the issue of power control, l like the easy way they can be mounted in almost any position, remembering to keep them away from the servo’s.
The ease of switching on instantly with just a swipe, but the safety of the “hold for 4 seconds” feature means, no accidental switch off during launches.
Great device......A1+
A brilliant device, East to fit and use. I have fitted it to a radio controlled oo gauge locomotive. Works a treat
I've been looking for something like this for a long time. Been using door alarm switches for while but they don't stand up to the current draw for long.
Just installed one of these into my Micro Magic sailboat and it works perfectly so far.
No more rusty switch failures!
Should be more of a boon in my Victoria, since I have to tape that hatch shut, and it is a pita to untape and retape.
I ordered one for each of my 3 sailboats. A bit pricey but no moving parts, should last forever. Delivery to Canada was quick, no complaints, a happy customer.
Bought as a back up due to mine occasionally being faulty. It takes a bit of getting used to but seems to work as it should. I might have found the fault on my old switch and fixed it. More than happy to use this one as a replacement if necessary.
Not used in anger yet have only just installed inside a carbon fibre hull but it appears to work very well - you just have to be patient and hold for 3 seconds and not be too hasty to get going. Certainly much better than leaving battery permanently connected or having to remove a hatch covering to disconnect.
small light en easy to use. more than happy
I purchased the PicoSwitch with an Elf from HyperFlight.
Excellent service from HyperFlight as it arrived here in Australia in just 5 business days.
This is a great little switch that changes state by passing a magnet near the switch. Flashing light clearly indicates the current state.
Very easy to use and reliable. I did find that it turns on quite easy by just passing the supplied magnet near the switch. Turning off however is a little more tricky and it takes me a few attempts to finally have the power switched off.
I tried them today in 2 F3F gliders and they seem to work very well. I like the idea of having to hold the magnet close to the switch for 3 or 4 seconds before it turns off, sure make those accidental swipes harder to make.
