thumbwheel potmeter for left-right usage

Joerg · 2006-12-28T19:32:11+00:00

Hello Folks,Been through the usual channels like Digikey. Is there a thumb wheel potmeter that has coarse and strong enough "teeth" so an idler wheel (or second pot of same type) can be mounted next to it so the wheels mesh?Reason is a project coming up where a device needs to be controllable by right- and left-handed folks. Kind of like a remote. The potmeter wheels coming out the sides of the remote need to go in the same direction for both. IOW "forward" for "more".The Panasonic EVLHFA seems to go in the right direction but no specs on the teeth and the data sheets hardly ever say much about that. Definitely not about the material strength for geared usage.-- Regards, Joerg

Dec 28, 2006 43 Replies

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Paul Hovnanian P.E. 19 years ago

Here's one more option: if this is a linear pot, install a right/left DPDT selector switch to swap the polarity of the potentiometer's stator. If the DPDT switch is a slide switch, it can be operated by a shield which blocks access to one side or the other of the single thumbwheel. By pressing on the RHS of the device to expose the right side of the wheel, the operator also slides the switch to the left, toggling the polarity to the pot.

Paul Hovnanian mailto:Paul@Hovnanian.com ------------------------------------------------------------------ When cryptography is outlawed, bayl bhgynjf jvyy unir cevinpl. -- Etaoin Shrdlu

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Joerg 19 years ago

We talked about that. The main issue with cheaper DPDT slide switches is poor reliability. The other problem in this case would be that the user has it in hand, pot works the wrong way and only after finding that out does the "Oh drat, I forgot" light come on in the user's mind ;-)

Regards, Joerg http://www.analogconsultants.com

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jasen 19 years ago

the inteded meaning was me slapping my head.

if you can get them located with the precision you need... I guess that means need some sort of jig for soldering.

Bye. Jasen

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Michael A. Terrell 19 years ago

Why? If the pot has the snap in type mount that holds it tightly against the PC board, simply put the knobs on the pots, pop them into the board and solder them.

Service to my country? Been there, Done that, and I\'ve got my DD214 to prove it. Member of DAV #85. Michael A. Terrell Central Florida

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