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How to choose potentiometer

Discussion in 'DIY Motion Simulator Building Q&A / FAQ' started by DonCorleonez, Mar 15, 2016.

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  1. DonCorleonez

    DonCorleonez Member

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    Hi all,

    Been through several projects, until i came up with this question, how to choose potentiometer?180/360 rotation? let say i am using wiper motor, what kinds of condition i should choose 180/360?

    regards
    DonCorleonez, Mar 15, 2016
    #1
  2. RacingMat

    RacingMat Well-Known Member Gold Contributor

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    About potentiometers, here are some clues:

    - 10 kOhm (not less, not more)
    - linear variation (not logarithmic)
    - 360° are not truely "360° electrically": the track is only 340° max
    - some may have mechanical stops: it's safer for the pot itself if it has no stops
    but it's not an issue really

    As the motors are used on a range from 120° to 180° usually
    ► 180° pot is fine if you want simple and direct connection between pot and motor (rigid coupling)
    Rigid-Coupling-CLX-SS.jpg
    ► 360° can be used in conjunction with gears to increase resolution BUT it's more complex mechanically and if gears have some gap, you loose the benefits...
    20150131.jpg
    • Informative Informative x 3
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    Last edited: Mar 15, 2016
    RacingMat, Mar 15, 2016
    #2
  3. cgodwin

    cgodwin Active Member

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    Also recommended is to use a hall effect position sensor, also called a non-contact position sensor or non-contact potentiometer. Because the position sensing is magnetic instead of using a physical wiper rubbing on a resistor, they last much longer and have a smoother response. Also they generally don't have a stop to crash into.
    • Agree Agree x 3
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    cgodwin, Mar 15, 2016
    #3
  4. ferslash

    ferslash Active Member

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    guys please move this tread to the Q&A (since it is clear short an explicative)

    fer :D
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    ferslash, Mar 15, 2016
    #4
  5. noorbeast

    noorbeast VR Tassie Devil Staff Member Moderator Race Director

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    • Agree Agree x 1
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    noorbeast, Mar 15, 2016
    #5
  6. noorbeast

    noorbeast VR Tassie Devil Staff Member Moderator Race Director

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    • Useful Useful x 2
    noorbeast, Mar 15, 2016
    #6
  7. DonCorleonez

    DonCorleonez Member

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    DonCorleonez, Mar 15, 2016
    #7
  8. cgodwin

    cgodwin Active Member

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    cgodwin, Mar 16, 2016
    #8
  9. RacingMat

    RacingMat Well-Known Member Gold Contributor

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    Hall effect pots are interesting indeed!
    (apart from the price)

    but just for the record, they are not perfect:
    - they require good voltage supply
    - output range is reduced: 0.4v to 4.8v
    - because the output is digital, you have some jitter in the measure.
    • Informative Informative x 1
    RacingMat, Mar 16, 2016
    #9
  10. Blame73

    Blame73 Well-Known Member

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    My Motion Simulator:
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    Yes, go with hall effect pots. In one week both my "conventional" pots "died" after almost a year, and in the last weeks they weren't working well at all, with no precision. The last days you can see the rig moving by itself just turning motors on.

    I bought the TT Electronics 6127V1A180L.5FS too as a replacement.
    Blame73, Mar 16, 2016
    #10
  11. Barry

    Barry Active Member

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    I'm using Bourne 6639S-1-502
    Barry, Mar 16, 2016
    #11
  12. Stealthelius

    Stealthelius Member Gold Contributor

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    Any problems with Hall Effects pots? In these days i've some problems with conventional pots...
    Stealthelius, Mar 21, 2016
    #12
  13. noorbeast

    noorbeast VR Tassie Devil Staff Member Moderator Race Director

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    I have found Hall sensors to be very reliable and durable. They have excellent fidelity and won't break in a motor runaway.
    noorbeast, Mar 21, 2016
    #13
  14. Nick Moxley

    Nick Moxley Well-Known Member

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    My Motion Simulator:
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    Halls are MORE Than Durable, Lol I locked one up to a point of needing a LARGE pair of pliers to free it up, Added a drop of oil and its been good ever since. Have no fear, halls are here. :grin

    PS thinking back, I actually locked up the same pot twice, Once i got the Flex coupler's on and a Flexible Pot mount, everything went butter smooth.
    • Agree Agree x 2
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    Last edited: Mar 22, 2016
    Nick Moxley, Mar 22, 2016
    #14
  15. bruce stephen

    bruce stephen Hammer doesnt fix it, must be electrical

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    I've tried and killed a lot of pots, carbon film, cermet, wirewounds. The halls are by far the most reliable and durable. I use the 360's with gear reduction instead of the 180's direct. The only type that was even close to as smooth and accurate was the bourns. The halls also offer a very low resistance to turning which can help reduce oscillation.
    • Agree Agree x 1
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    bruce stephen, Mar 22, 2016
    #15
  16. fzxj520

    fzxj520 Active Member

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    fzxj520, Mar 23, 2016
    #16
  17. DonCorleonez

    DonCorleonez Member

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    @Barry is Bourns 5k not 10k?
    DonCorleonez, Aug 2, 2016
    #17
  18. Barry

    Barry Active Member

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    Yes.

    I asked about pots a long time ago and a few people recommended those ones for me.
    Barry, Aug 2, 2016
    #18
  19. RacingMat

    RacingMat Well-Known Member Gold Contributor

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    10K is mandatory with Arduino

    with other setups, maybe 5K is okay: read the specs ;)
    • Informative Informative x 1
    RacingMat, Aug 3, 2016
    #19
  20. Barry

    Barry Active Member

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    I wasn't aware of that. I'm using JRKs
    Barry, Aug 3, 2016
    #20
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