Source of 5 pins potentiometers?

It might help if you could post what is the distribution of the resistance among the pins. Are two of the pins a switch by any chance?

You can't simply ask for a "5-pin" potentiometer as there are gobs and gazillions of different types, configurations, and resistance values and taps.

So what do the extra 2 pins do ?

Are they taps ? How do you use them in your circuit ?

Graham

I had a look at your picture. I can't see any threads on the collar below the shaft. Are those two lugs at either side used for mounting ?

Egad's! a unicorn!

It would help to know what the pins do? That looks like an inexpensive pot so it probably rules out fancy stuff like sin/cos - that leaves taps or mounting ears or grounding lugs.

Flip it over?

Brand, part number, resistance, physical size, wattage, taper? that looks like a transistor radio volume control with a switch from the front, but you haven't given us ANYTHING to work with.

I am in the same boat - I know it is 1K as I stated earlier. The two pins on the sides are for an OFF/ON switch. As I said, they aren't giving me any indication besides this that I read on the baggie at the store :

P1K - SW

Not much help, I d> Victory wrote:

and

It's not a 'five pin pot' then.

It's a single pot with on/off switch. These are quite routine and widely available.

Graham

This is the pot you are using with your LED dimmer project, right ? It's a

Arfa

In fact, I just went and did this. Mouser have 311-1600-1k at $0.97 which fits the bill, and Digikey have CT2224-ND at $3.48. Rather more expensive, but rather a better (constructed and rated) pot ...

I'm sure a few minutes spent making friends with Google, would turn up many more examples.

Arfa

Just found a "Sharp" transistor radio with what looks like an identical pot! No threads on the bush, with a split, 5mm dia splined shaft. Its soldered through a cut out in the circuit board using all five tabs. However its value is 10K log, stamped in the side. Physically its body is 15mm dia x 4 or 5mm thick. There is no part No: that I can see.

HTH

I wonder why the guy on the phone didn't seem to be able to help me out at Mouser? Oh well, this is a start. How can I tell if they are threaded? I wish I could send the picture that I have to Mouser and see if they have something that matches up closely. The thread and post is important too now that I think about it.

I'm too introverted to have friends... ;)

Possibly, the words that you were using to describe what you wanted, just didn't 'resonate' with the guy. Or he was just a kid hired to field phone calls. Are you familiar at all with speccing and buying electronic components ? From the original thread, and now this new one, I rather suspect not.

You need to learn to use an online catalogue. Both of those parts that I pointed you to, have internal links attached to their basic catalogue entry, which take you to the manufacturer's spec sheets for them. These tell you everything, both electrically and mechanically, that characterise the device. This is common with electronic component catalogues.

I don't mean to be rude, but the amount of help that you have received so far on this project from many people on this group, has been staggering, considering that it was more of a basic electronics design question originally, than a "repair" one (check the name of this group ... ) If you genuinely don't understand about speccing and ordering components, then i'm sure most of us don't mind helping you out a little, but be careful that you don't get us to thinking that you just can't be bothered to work it out for yourself ...

Arfa

Arfa,

I did look at the PDF and it didn't look like it had threads on the pot. I will phone the company again today. I don't want you to think that I am not actually doing any of the work myself though. I do get frustrated when talking to these guys on the phone and they say 'sorry can't help you' especially after the people on the form say the parts are easy to come by and common-place. Must be my way of saying things I guess. The electronic store that I buy from won't be of any help because they won't tell me the part number and the baggie it comes in is of little help. And yes I do appreciate the help. I guess I will look for another forum that might be able to help with a parts list since I don't want to outstay my welcome (if I haven't already).

Thank you so much for the humorous and enlightening email. You are right, I have to get the names right before I order. This has gone a long way in helping me. The guys at the store don't seem to have time to tell me, they said 'it is a pot with 5 pins', so that is where I got the name from. Thanks again, at least you are giving me specifics.