[simpits-tech] Using pots for position sensing

[Roy Coates]

Chaps.
      This is something we all an answer too I'm sure !

For all my current projects, I use a cheapo joystick (Logitech Wingman) to
give me the interface electronics for my project. These are cheap and
require no custom software since the PC still thinks its a regular
joystick. All I have to do is mount whatever 100k pots I need to detect
throttle, pitch/roll/yaw etc.

But.. and the big but is - how to physically operate the pot? With rotary
pots it's hard to get a full sweep, impossible if you try to use a simple
bell-crank setup. And linear pots are generally fairly fragile so you
don't want to put any strain on either end of it's movement.

Have any of you come up with a solution?

In the past I've made little gearboxes to give me a full sweep, or used a
higher value pot so that I only need a partial sweep.

Ideas people please!

Cheers,

Roy.


--

Roy Coates.
Dept of Engineering.
Liverpool University.
E-Mail: r.coates at liv.ac.uk
Tel: 0151 794 4862
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Lord, If I must have an instrument failure, please let it be the Hobbs meter.
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