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Potentiometer reversing

Discussion in 'Electronic and hardware generally' started by Bagof.stupid, Jan 31, 2026 at 21:58.

  1. Bagof.stupid

    Bagof.stupid New Member

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    Hello everyone.
    A friend of mine gave me some hall effect potentiometers that are 360 rotation.I was planning on using a 2:1 gear reduction to get full resolution, what I’ve noticed is they can’t be reversed by switching the power and ground. Is there a way to reverse one in the software or does it need to be reversed mechanically.?
    Cheers,
    Bagof.stupid, Jan 31, 2026 at 21:58
    #1
  2. noorbeast

    noorbeast VR Tassie Devil Staff Member Moderator Race Director

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    The polarity of motors can be changed, which is likely your issue, and additionally the direction can be independently set in SimTools by how the DIR boxes are checked in Axis Assignments.
    noorbeast, Feb 1, 2026 at 01:01
    #2
  3. Bagof.stupid

    Bagof.stupid New Member

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    Thanks for your reply. So does it matter in smc3 if the line for the pot goes down on the graph even if the motor travels up? I can just switch directions in Sim tools, then?
    Cheers.
    Bagof.stupid, Feb 1, 2026 at 01:13
    #3
  4. noorbeast

    noorbeast VR Tassie Devil Staff Member Moderator Race Director

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    You could do that, but if you reverse the wires on the motors I would expect the direction in SMC3 would be correct, and that makes SimTools setup easier in terms of existing information/guidance.

    But if you want to leave it as it is you can set the Axis Assignment direction as you want in SimTools using the DIR check-boxes, which can determine which way each axis moves.
    noorbeast, Feb 1, 2026 at 02:57
    #4
  5. Bagof.stupid

    Bagof.stupid New Member

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    Ok the only reason I ask is because these potentiometers are ccw rotation is up but i have my rig set up for cw is up using traditional pots,I was hopeing not to have to re Design, my brackets as space is tight. But if there’s no issues with me running it upside down or inverted then that will be the route I take.
    Cheers.
    • Like Like x 1
    Bagof.stupid, Feb 1, 2026 at 03:25
    #5
  6. noorbeast

    noorbeast VR Tassie Devil Staff Member Moderator Race Director

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    It can be made to work, whatever path you choose, as ultimately SimTools can set, on the software side, which way an axis moves, via the DIR settings.
    noorbeast, Feb 1, 2026 at 04:33
    #6
  7. Bagof.stupid

    Bagof.stupid New Member

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    Ok perfect, thanks for clearing that up for me. much appreciated
    cheers
    Bagof.stupid, Feb 1, 2026 at 05:03
    #7
  8. Gadget999

    Gadget999 Well-Known Member

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    you could read the value of the pot and double it in the smc3 code to recalibrate the pot !
    Gadget999, Feb 1, 2026 at 18:40
    #8