3PDT durability Vs DPDT

[Echan42]

I've started building stompboxes.
In an attempt to stay one step ahead I've evaluated common wear and failure in other stompboxes most cases come down to 3PDT failure. I currently use tayda's n°1 most sold manufactured by PIC and I've not had any complaints yet, although I haven't been doing this for as long as many of the members of this forum.

How long can I expect a 3PDT to last, especially if it didn't over heat the leads when soldering.
Is switching to Alpha worth consideration?
Do 2PDT using millennium bypass last considerably longer?

[antonis]

Hi & Welcome.. 

1. Long enough..
2. It worths..
3. Yes, by the time analogy of 3P to 2P..

[garcho]

Electric audio devices break where they interface with the human user. The DC jack, being cheap plastic is a common offender, and input/output jacks either snapping off the PCB (easy fix) or cracking the PCB (sad day) is the other common break point. For stomp boxes, pots and switches get stomped occasionally. Good layouts in reasonable enclosures make this uncommon, crowded tiny 1590As are the frequent culprit. Why the obsession with tiny pedals, I don't know. I've played a thousand tiny clubs, not one was too small for any rig I had, and some were complicated.
Stomp switches combine all the usual suspects together in one very important part. It's worth it.

[patrick398]

If you're so concerned with footswitch reliability why not bypass (pun intended) the 'mechanical' approach all together and use momentary switches and a relay. I made the switch earlier this year and will never look back

[Echan42]

If you're so concerned with footswitch reliability why not bypass (pun intended) the 'mechanical' approach all together and use momentary switches and a relay. I made the switch earlier this year and will never look back

I haven't even considered that but what can I say, solid advice if one has enough room in the enclosure. I keep my components as tight as a small crowded venue on a Saturday night but I stil think I can fit a slamm relay and a few components next to the 3DPT, especially if I make a custom PCB for them.

Thanks!

[ElectricDruid]

I haven't even considered that but what can I say, solid advice if one has enough room in the enclosure. I keep my components as tight as a small crowded venue on a Saturday night but I stil think I can fit a slamm relay and a few components next to the 3DPT, especially if I make a custom PCB for them.

Thanks!

+1 agree with Patrick. I think you might even *gain* a little space from the change. An SPST momentary is not as big (or at least not as deep or wide) as a 3PDT, and the relay+logic that goes with it can go anywhere, so there's more flexibility.

[MikeA]

How long can I expect a 3PDT to last, especially if it didn't over heat the leads when soldering.

If you decide to use mechanical vs. relay, there are different grades of 3PDT with varying ratings for electrical life, from 10,000 to 100,000 cycles.  Taiway has one rated for 20,000 cycles, Alpha has one @ 30,000 and DeMont has one @ 100,000.  Of course the prices vary as well. 

[mark2]

I haven't even considered that but what can I say, solid advice if one has enough room in the enclosure. I keep my components as tight as a small crowded venue on a Saturday night but I stil think I can fit a slamm relay and a few components next to the 3DPT, especially if I make a custom PCB for them.

I have a relay design that's extremely tiny if you're interested. All the source code, gerber, etc on github too if you want to fabricate it yourself.

[Echan42]

I haven't even considered that but what can I say, solid advice if one has enough room in the enclosure. I keep my components as tight as a small crowded venue on a Saturday night but I stil think I can fit a slamm relay and a few components next to the 3DPT, especially if I make a custom PCB for them.

I have a relay design that's extremely tiny if you're interested. All the source code, gerber, etc on github too if you want to fabricate it yourself.

What a great contribution, this is exactly the sort of thing I was looking for, fine work on display in your shop, congrats!