[simpits-tech] Switchs, Rotary and pot

Marv De Beque simpits-tech@simpits.org
Mon, 05 Aug 2002 20:38:06 -0400


You are doing fine with the English.  I had a rotten time with English in
school (and I am an American).  So, I had to work hard catching up with my
writing and reading skills in college.  ;-)

Sounds like you are doing well on your design.

What country do you hail from?
-- 


> From: "Frank Riedel" <frank@rezultat.dk>
> Reply-To: simpits-tech@simpits.org
> Date: Tue, 6 Aug 2002 01:15:04 +0200
> To: <simpits-tech@simpits.org>
> Subject: Re: [simpits-tech] Switchs, Rotary and pot
> 
> Hi Marv !
> I'm at start of and F16 pit... FANTASTIC RESOURCE ON THE WEB  (THANKS)
> trying to build a list of parts to put on to my panels... - thats why all
> the qustions.
> I just sendt all of DXF to plastic "cut-out" company.
> all made of clear 4mm plastic. i'll place a transperant
> printet panel on top to get the backlight of the panels...
> The tube is no prob.
> so... next step for me is to learn more about EPIC and
> all that follows... wireing all the switches and rotary, lamps etc.
> Do not have an EPIC yet...
> Overall goal is to finish all panels first...
> second get the EPIC incl. modul (what i need here i'll find out ;o))
> third, i'll mount it all in the tube and start wireing it up...
> and last... get the software running ;o) (witch i'll get more info from you
> guys over the winther)
> so, it like building a RC-model... little by little it all come toghter ;o)
> Hope my english is okay :o))
> 
> Frank
> 
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Marv De Beque" <mdebeque@woh.rr.com>
> To: <simpits-tech@simpits.org>
> Sent: Tuesday, August 06, 2002 12:31 AM
> Subject: Re: [simpits-tech] Switchs, Rotary and pot
> 
> 
>> That is an open question.
>> 
>> The answer is, it depends.
>> 
>> However, you have not qualified the exact application, so it is hard to
> give
>> you a good answer.
>> 
>> However, since I am constructing a F-16 cockpit, I can tell you what I
> plan
>> to use.  I will use a potentiometer for almost all of my applications
> where
>> there is a knob.  Except....
>> 
>> ... the caveat is there are many knobs that use a rotary switch and I will
>> use a rotary switch where it is required.  I think you know what a rotary
>> switch is, but if not, it is a mechanical switch that rotates to preset
>> positions.
>> 
>> There are not too many places where an encoder will be applicable in my
> sim.
>> I may possibly use them for the ICP panel that sticks in the pilots face.
>> There are 4 thumb wheels that control contrast, brightness, and other
>> functions on the HUD.  An encoder may be physically easier to mount than a
>> pot in those instances.
>> 
>> Encoders require more expensive circuitry to operate than a pot.  General
>> rule of thumb is that there should be a good reason for using an encoder
>> where normally a pot will not do.
>> 
>> I would recommend a pot.
>> 
>> That being said, from the scope of the questions you are asking, I wonder
>> where you are at in your project and what your project goals are?  I ask
>> because I get a sense that you might be putting the cart before the horse.
>> 
>> What is your goal and what is your plan to get there?
>> 
>> I am sure that you can get all the help you need right here, but it is
> good
>> to get the basics first, outline your goals, and then we can help you
>> execute your plan (or at least help you get a plan together).
>> 
>> Marv
>> --
>> 
>> 
>>> From: "Frank Riedel" <frank@rezultat.dk>
>>> Reply-To: simpits-tech@simpits.org
>>> Date: Tue, 6 Aug 2002 00:09:33 +0200
>>> To: <simpits-tech@simpits.org>
>>> Subject: Re: [simpits-tech] Switchs, Rotary and pot
>>> 
>>> Great exampels ;o)
>>> GOT IT ;o)
>>> BUT - can i use POT instead of ENCODERS in my pit ???
>>> 
>>> Frank
>>> 
>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>> From: "Marv De Beque" <mdebeque@woh.rr.com>
>>> To: <simpits-tech@simpits.org>
>>> Sent: Monday, August 05, 2002 11:57 PM
>>> Subject: Re: [simpits-tech] Switchs, Rotary and pot
>>> 
>>> 
>>>> No.
>>>> 
>>>> A pot (short for potentiometer) is a device that rotates over a given
>>>> portion of a circle.  This is usually about 270 degrees, but there are
>>>> multi-turn pots that rotate 5, 10, or 20 turns from lock to lock.
>>>> 
>>>> A pot is nothing more than a resistor that can be changed from zero
>>>> (usually) to its maximum value.  100,000 Ohms is typical for simulator
>>> use.
>>>> 
>>>> A pot, theoretically, has an infinite adjustment between its two
> extreme
>>>> values (i.e., 0 to 100,000 Ohms).  So, like a faucet (in good working
>>>> order), you can adjust the flow to any value in between.
>>>> 
>>>> A rotary encoder is different.  It is a device that rotates like a pot,
>>> but
>>>> instead of acting like a variable resistor, it sends out a set of
> pulses
>>> as
>>>> the knob turns.  It is sort of like putting playing cards on the forks
> of
>>> a
>>>> bicycle and turning the wheel.  As each spoke passes, an audible click
> is
>>>> heard (a pulse).  You can count the pulses and then determine how far
> the
>>>> wheel has rotated.  You need two two playing cards slightly offset in
> an
>>>> angular fashion to tell which direction the wheel is rotating.  By
> looking
>>>> at which card clicks first you can tell direction of spin.
>>>> 
>>>> The thing about encoders is that they have a "granularity".  Unlike a
> pot
>>>> which is infinite, there are finite steps to an encoder.  There may be
> any
>>>> number of steps you can get from a few to several hundred steps per
>>>> revolution.  You can resolve the rotation only down to the step, but
> you
>>> can
>>>> not tell how much an encoder rotates between step steps (i.e., a half
>>> step).
>>>> 
>>>> Most encoders do not remember their positions when power to the system
> is
>>>> turned off.  So, the system must somehow save the last known position
> if
>>> it
>>>> is to pick up where it left off at power down.  A pot has the same
>>>> resistance whether the system has power or not.
>>>> 
>>>> A pot almost always has a mechanical stop.  Resistance can only go so
> far.
>>>> An encoder does not necessarily have a mechanical stop and can be
> rotated
>>>> continuously without stopping.
>>>> 
>>>> An example of an encoder is a computer mouse (at least the old ones).
>>> Some
>>>> new car stereos have them too.
>>>> 
>>>> Two different animals that can be used in similar ways and each has its
>>>> advantages.
>>>> 
>>>> Sorry for the long message, but I am short on time.
>>>> 
>>>> Marv
>>>> --
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>>> From: "Frank Riedel" <frank@rezultat.dk>
>>>>> Reply-To: simpits-tech@simpits.org
>>>>> Date: Mon, 5 Aug 2002 23:35:45 +0200
>>>>> To: <simpits-tech@simpits.org>
>>>>> Subject: Re: [simpits-tech] Switchs, Rotary and pot
>>>>> 
>>>>> Thanks alot for the explanation ;o)
>>>>> 
>>>>> I found the F16 panels at simpits.org...
>>>>> 
>>>>> Did i get it right - rotary encoders = potentiometers ??
>>>>> 
>>>>> Thanks
>>>>> Frank !
>>>>> 
>>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>>> From: "Andreas Fransson" <andreas.fransson@post.utfors.se>
>>>>> To: <simpits-tech@simpits.org>
>>>>> Sent: Monday, August 05, 2002 9:09 PM
>>>>> Subject: Re: [simpits-tech] Switchs, Rotary and pot
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>>> Frank,
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> 3-way switches are (usually) on-off-on. With or without automatic
>>> return
>>>>> to
>>>>>> center position (not sure what the english expression for this would
>>> be).
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> Rotaries, if you mean rotary switches and not rotary encoders, may or
>>> may
>>>>>> not have limits. A couple I have here for example do not. They go all
>>> the
>>>>>> way around. What they do is just rotate a common ground around a
> number
>>> of
>>>>>> connections. Like a "normal" switch but with many more positions.
> Mine
>>>>> have
>>>>>> 12 I think. You could say that they are "all-on" in the sense that
> one
>>>>> lead
>>>>>> is always active. Encoders are a different breed altogether. They are
>>>>>> commonly used to sense motion (rotation) rather than indicate switch
>>>>>> positions.
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> "Pots", or potentiometers, are basically variable resistors. I you
> use
>>> one
>>>>>> with EPIC, or as a replacement for a joystick pot, it is 100 ohm
> linear
>>>>> pots
>>>>>> you want.
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> If you use the EPIC, the kind of switches you use are almost
>>> unimportant.
>>>>>> EPL (the EPIC programming language) is very flexible. It's not at all
>>> like
>>>>>> the standard joystick momentary on/off pushbuttons.
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> What aircraft (or whatever) panels are you looking for?
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> Andreas
>>>>>> http://valhallainc.d2g.com
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> From: "Frank Riedel" <frank@rezultat.dk>
>>>>>>> Hi All !
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> 3 way switchs - is that off-on-off  or ????
>>>>>>> Rotary - is that 360 dg. or ???
>>>>>>> 2 way switchs - is that on-on  or ???
>>>>>>> Pot - is that a normal potmeter 100 ohm or  ???
>>>>>>> Is EPIC control all those switchs nomatter if it is on-of or on-on
> ???
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> Do anyone of you guys have a link to a page where i can read about
> it
>>>>> ???
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> and do anyone have a set of drawings of panels without knobs on ????
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> thanks for all your help... i'm on the road for my first real pit
> ;o)
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> Frank
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> _______________________________________________
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> above
>>>>> page.  Thanks!
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> _______________________________________________
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>>> page.
>>>>> Thanks!
>>>> 
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>>> 
>>> 
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>> 
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> 
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