FingerTech Mini Power Switch

Price: 12.16 CAD

9.01 USD 8.12 EUR

In Stock: 886

• Has your robot been lacking a high-current power switch? Tired of plugging and unplugging the battery during an intense competition?
• Our Mini Switch can be activated with the simple twist of an allen key.
• No other switch is as small, lightweight and powerful!

Description
CAD Files
Reviews
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Has your robot been lacking a high-current power switch? Tired of plugging and unplugging the battery during an intense competition?
- Our Mini Switch can be activated with the simple twist of a 3/32" hex key, and will stay on through intense vibration and high G-force impacts.
- No other switch is as small, lightweight and powerful!
- Read Servo Magazine's keen review of the Mini Power Switch here: Servo 2013-04 Mini Switch Review.pdf

Specifications:
Material: High-temperature nylon, copper terminals, aluminum screw
Dimensions: 12.7 x 12.7 x 6.35mm (0.5 x 0.5 x 0.25in)
Copper terminals: 3.5mm x 1mm (0.138 x 0.04in) extend 6.35mm (0.25in) from switch body
Weight: 2.15grams (0.076oz)

Installation:

Two mounting holes, spaced 7.62mm (0.3in) apart, can pass-through 2mm or 2-56 screws, or can be tapped for 3mm or 4-40 screw threads.

Tip: Connect the battery to the terminal closest to the screw head. The screw head is part of the circuit (constant connection to the far terminal), so this will ensure it is not live when the robot is off.

Allowable soldering temperatures:
350C : continuous
400C : 1min
450C : 12s
480C : 8s

Operation:

To connect the two copper terminals, use a 3/32" hex wrench to tighten the screw (clockwise). We sell a long arm 3/32" hex wrench for reaching switches buried deep inside the robot.
(* It does not take a lot of force to make a good connection - just finger-tight. If you are worried about stripping them out then you are using too much force!)
The nylon is undersized to keep the screw from backing out due to vibrations.
One full rotation counterclockwise disconnects power.

Current Ratings (using 16-gauge wire):
Rated Current: 40A
Burst: 100A for 10 seconds
*Keep in mind that the size of the wire and type of wire insulation is the main limiting factor. More heat is generated in smaller wires and in poor connections. We have tested the switch with 10ga wire and were able to run 95A for 3 minutes.

Temperature Chart (click to enlarge):

*Note that the 16ga wires get uncomfortably hot at 40A and nearly untouchable at 50A - well before the switch gets hot.
So for higher current applications, use heavier wire!

Mini_Power_Switch.IGS

21 Product Reviews - Average rating 4.6 / 5 (Show All)

Excellent product, but...

Team Entropy - 06th October 2023

Bought this switch after a scary failsafe issue on one of my ants with a 160gram weapon. Did not regret my purchase, however I have yet to find a good mounting solution. After giving and taking some hard hits, the switch shifted, and made it difficult to turn off my bot. Would buy another switch if it had more mounting options. [FTR - try two long screws through a sturdy frame rail. If it moves, it means your bot has been mangled!]

Bad Batch

Paul Davis - 20th June 2022

The Switch I got didn't work out of the box... turns out an employee put too much glue in the batch, so I had to scrape glue off the copper. Threw away a few jst connectors I thought were defective before I emailed their sales team.

Solid, but one request

Matthew - Team Jester - 20th April 2018

Very good power switch, haven't had any fail on me so far (besides one due to me really over-tightening like an idiot). Would it be possible to have an option to include adequately sized screws and nuts for an all-in-one mounting solution? [FTR: We'll look into it!]

Too specialized to be of use

Vested - 06th December 2017

There's one big problem with this switch - the case requires a very specialized mounting solution. The way it's designed, you have to mount it to a vertical wall and then also have a hole through the top of the chassis to access the setscrew. It's a solid switch once you get around it, but you basically can't experiment with placement with it due to its design.

Can we PLEASE have a variant of this with top-mounted screw holes?
[FTR: The copper tabs run lengthways through the switch making top-mounted screw holes impossible. Why not use a short piece of angle (L-shaped) aluminum? Should achieve what you need without adding much weight!]

GREAT

Alex Forman - 18th March 2017

Part of it was broken but as soon as I notified them they shipped a new one! Great switch and great customer service!

Very cool.

Atom from Sacbots - 16th September 2016

Don't second guess this one. Buy it! Don't struggle with screws ductape or zip ties. R/C power switches are unreliable in battle. Being able to turn the bot on with a twist makes those stressful moments before a fight much calmer. It's weight is almost insignificant. Again if your thinking bout it.... Buy it.. Heck buy two at the price you won't regret it.

Great compact switch

Lucas Grell - 03rd February 2016

Was able to run ~160A burst through the switch in my 15 pound robot without any issues. Very impressive, especially considering how small it is!

Great compact switch

Lucas Grell - 03rd February 2016

Was able to run ~160A burst through the switch in my 15 pound robot without any issues. Very impressive, especially considering how small it is!

Works fine with 6s LiPo running 4 drill motors

Sarah - 03rd February 2016

I have a Mini switch in my 12lber that works fine for running 4 drill motors with a 6s LiPo (25.8v fully charged). I'm using 16 gauge wire, and it doesn't even get slightly warm.

My only issue is it seems like the power can turn off if I tighten the screw too much. I've never had it turn off on its own though.
[FTR: That sounds like it may be a problem with the individual switch. Contact us to get it fixed!]

Handles serious power

RavB - 03rd February 2016

Ran this little switch in a 12lb combat robot at 28.8v and 70amp pulse current draw. 2 drill motors and a chunky brushless weapon motor. Switch preformed flawlessly. Easy to mount and solder.

Can never go back to plugging in wires

Travis S - 09th January 2016

I always used wire connectors to power my bot. Problem is you need an access panel, you have to tape the wires down so its hard to get at them, and I'm always afraid they will still get pulled out.

These switches are so convenient, I tried one out and now I use them in all 5 of my robots without issue.

The most damage you'll ever do to it

Fred M - 26th October 2015

is on installation. I've broken a few through overheating during soldering or over-tightening, but after getting them working again they're serious skookem choochers. The only time I've ever had an issue with them working as a switch was when the armor plate or support structure they've been attached to has been penetrated, knocking the switch free but maintaining functionality.

Great Product

cwbullet - 24th February 2015

This is the ideal product for rocketry. Thanks for the great product.

Fine for small stuff, but not to beetleweight combat

Nick P - 24th February 2015

Awesome switch for ease of use, but the first major hit my beetleweight took shattered the case, leaving me with an intermittent switch that cost me the match. Changed to a powerpole jumper and won 4 matches that day.
[FTR: We've sent a replacement and are waiting for a review update. The mini-switches have been used in Middleweight robots with no issue so we suspect a problem with the assembly/cementing of the switch - our bad!]

My favorite Fingertech product.

Ian McMahon - 19th December 2014

This is seriously my favorite product that Fingertech sells. The hubs, motors and electronics are great, but this has no competition. I'm even considering putting a couple in my Level 3 rocket.

Please note: it uses standard 4-40 cap screws if you, like me, managed to strip the head of the screw by using the wrong size driver. Also, hot glue works better than superglue for attaching it in your robot.

FingerTech Mini Power Switch Screw - 2.34 CAD

• Replacement custom 7075-T6 screw for the FingerTech Mini Switch.
• Extended-depth hex socket to reduce the chance of rounding out.
• Increased main shank diameter for strength and increased current capacity.
• Knurled head to keep switch from vibrating off.

Hex Wrench - 0.90 CAD

• Hex Wrench (aka Allen Key)
• Used for various screws and setscrews (see details)

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FingerTech Mini Power Switch