External Mute Button

[dentalrep]

I have a Beltronics RX65 Radar detector. It is hardwired with the kit that has the mute button. I was unable to find a suitable place to mount the mute button assembly because I thought it would look tacky.

What I did is use an external momentary switch and mounted it on an empty switch plate by my gear shift. I soldered the wires in the board after removing the switch that was in place. That way when my radar detactor goes off I can easily press that button rather than reaching for my radar detector which is mounted by the rear view mirror.

Now I have a problem, the momenary switch I used isn't a momentary with audible or tactile feedback. The problem is that if I don't press long enough it doesn't mute the alert and if I press too long it adjusts my volume.

Has anyone done anything similar? Comments and suggestions welcomed. Also if there is a better switch that can be used I would appreciate the help.

[MEM-TEK]

Try a momentary SPST toggle switch which you should be able to get at Radio Shack. That should do the trick nicely.

[dentalrep]

I already am using a SPST radio shack Momentary switch. I do think I found the problem. I must have used too long of a wire from the board to my remote switch. I shortened it just now and I will test it out soon.

[MEM-TEK]

I already am using a SPST radio shack Momentary switch. I do think I found the problem. I must have used too long of a wire from the board to my remote switch. I shortened it just now and I will test it out soon.

Too long of a wire probably isn't the problem. What part number Radio Shack switch did you use? Is it the small momentary push button switch which has a small button it which is colored either black or red, and the round button is about 3/16" wide? If so, those momentary switches are awful because if you apply a bit too much heat to their contacts with a soldering iron then the switch operation becomes really flaky.

[dentalrep]

275-0646
SPST- Momentary Pushbutton Switch
N.O. rated 3A at 125VAC
1.5A at 250VAC
1/2" Mounting Hole

[MEM-TEK]

275-0646
SPST- Momentary Pushbutton Switch
N.O. rated 3A at 125VAC
1.5A at 250VAC
1/2" Mounting Hole

That is a good switch, but it doesn't tolerate soldering heat to its terminals for more than just a couple of seconds. I always use solder paste (flux) when soldering wires to switches. Check your switch to see if either of its two terminals wiggle slightly now that the wires are soldered to its terminals. If the terminals wiggle then heat was applied to the terminals for too long, and this is why the switch is acting a bit flaky.

[dentalrep]

I checked out the switch and I even hooked the wires to my multimeter to verify resistance when I closed the circuit. Funny thing is that it is working noticeably better. I removed about 3 feet of excess wire and it is still about 3-4 feet long still. I left excess so it would be easy to remove panels but now I just used some spade connectors.

By profession I used to work on Hospital equipment and would have to replace chips on boards , etc. so I feel pretty good about by soldering skills. I just found this problem to be really weird. With the shorter cables I don't have to hold the push button down as long for the volume to start adjusting. Maybe I have a connection issue somewhere and me moving it around helped out???