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ALPS switches

R

rickman

Jan 1, 1970
0
I think I screwed up. I am building a test fixture and need to have
some user controls on the board. I added a few push buttons as
controls and LEDs for feedback. While I was browsing Mouser looking
for good switches, I found an inexpensive 8 way joystick switch from
ALPS. The data sheet seemed reasonable, so I added the part to my
order. Now that I am laying out the board, I realize that the ALPS
data sheet for the RKJXS1004001 does not have enough info to be able
to connect the part in the circuit. It has a diagram showing the
terminals with labels such as 1-4, C, E and P. But it does not
indicate which terminal is closed for which movement or which terminal
is the common, not to mention that there is one too many. Further,
this is an SMD part with oddly shaped pads and they don't provide any
dimensional data.

Looking at another, similar switch from ALPS, they provide all the
info you would need. I have written the company as well as Mouser and
have not gotten back anything useful. How does anyone design with this
switch if they won't tell you how it works? I thought I might be able
to ohm it out, but I just don't have enough hands (or feet) to hold
the switch, the probes and push the control around. I don't even
think you could do it with two people since the part is pretty
small.

Anyone worked with this part before?
 
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