Mouse repair time!

[Matt_H]

Since the left mouse button on my mouse is barely operational, it's time to replace the microswitch. I opened up the mouse, and it looks so simple even I can do it!

The interesting part is that the mouse PCB has a provision to add a third mouse button. I had read that the 2-button A3000 pregnant mice were so designed (seems obvious since Commodore shipped a 3-button variant with the 3000UX), but I didn't know other Amiga mice had the same design feature. I'll probably add the third switch and figure out how to make a button out of it later.

The mouse itself is the one shipped with a lot of 600s, 1200s, and 4000s - arch-shaped with equal-sized buttons.

[marcfrick2112]

Matt H: Let us know how it goes... My 1200t's mouse's left button only wants to double-click...(Although I keep plenty of spares on hand  :-) I've also seen 2-button Amiga mice with apparent provisions for the 3rd button, but it didn't dawn on me until yuour post...  :-D

[Matt_H]

I thought I'd turn up a RadioShack part number for the microswitches in about 5 seconds, but I can't seem to find anything. This seems the closest, but it's surface-mount and Commodore's switches are through-hole.

If anyone's done this before, can you point me to the switch you used?

I'd like to avoid cannibalizing another mouse if possible.

[Daedalus]

RS Components in Europe have the microswitches I use regularly for fixing mice - both PC and Amiga. The part is here:

RS Ireland Clicky

You Radioshack link is blocked here in my job :-( but I guess it's the same one.

As for fitting a third mouse button, I've done this for Amiga mice in the past, but you need to replace the cable as the one fitted to mine anyway didn't have enough cores. An extra connection has to be made to the one remaining unused pin in the D9 connector, and this counts as the middle button in any software that uses it.

[don27dog]

Buy a cocolino and switch to an optical mouse..

[twizzle]

maplins also sell them type "tactile switch" into there search bar

[AmigaPete]

Matt,
Forget RS, use digikey.com, they should have something that will work.

Pete

[Daedalus]

twizzle wrote:
maplins also sell them type "tactile switch" into there search bar

They do indeed, but they're not the best quality and tend to require too much force to click. I guess you'd get used to it, but I much prefer going for a good manufacturer like Cherry. If you do want to order them online, order a few at the same time so that you can replace the other button should it not feel "balanced"

[brianb]

I did this on my mouse and it worked out great.  Maybe 5 minutes of work.

All you need is soldering iron, solder, solder "sucker" (official name Vacuum Desoldering Tool), and a micro-switch of your choice.   Most of this is available at Radio Shack, but for the switch you may be out of luck.  Radio Shack carries hardly any components these days.  I'm an electronics hobbyist so I already had an assortment of microswitches in my supplies, but DigiKey is a great company for parts.  

If your new to soldering and desoldering just practice on a throw away electronics item first.  I used to practice removing and replacing the same component on an old circuit board.  There are plenty of soldering tutorials on the web...

I don't know if it was necessary but I did sand down my button a bit with medium-grit sand paper.  I sanded it down until it was about the same height as the original button.  (The plastic plunger part)

As others mentioned you may want to replace both for an even  feel.  I didn't but I personally don't even notice, I'm just happy I can double-click again.

[davideo]

AmigaKit were advertising these little switches a while ago.

I can't check while I'm at work but it may be worth having a look.

Dave G  8-)

[amigakit]

Yes, we have Mouse Switches in stock here:

http://amigakit.leamancomputing.com/catalog/USD.php?url=product_info.php?products_id=786

[Daedalus]

Ah, there you go - AmigaKit to the rescue again... And they give you a set for evenness sake :-)

Crumbs! I only just saw your RadioShack picture now, it's so long since I've had a mouse with those "tact" switches in it that I'd forgotten about them!

[Matt_H]

Looks like Digikey part number EG1827-ND may be what I'm looking for.

[JimS]

That looks like the right switch. The newer mice used a smaller switch like this one... the old mice used a switch that was about twice the size with a shorter plunger. We did a fair number of these repairs back at the store in the day... The one thing to watch for is the height of the button. You might have to sand off a little of the lever on the bottom of mouse button itself... (not the switch) Or you might need to superglue a little plastic to the microswitch button to raise it up.

[Tenacious]

I thought I'd mention some tactics that have yeilded mixed results.

I swapped the left and right microswitches, don't use the right as much. Grin.

Unsoldering and rotating the switch may load the internal membrain differently. (Have not tested this)

I ordered replacement swiches, they looked the same on paper.  The switches were only slightly different, but the mouse was never the same.

I think Commodore contracted mice from manufacturers from around the world. There may have been several different microswitches.