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[on:]

Alright,
I am working on a really fun project. I'm putting a potentiometer inside of a See 'n Say and using the readings to change the audio output. But the arrow on the device only spins in one direction, so in order to do this I need to find a pot with a full, continuous 360 degree range of motion.
Does anyone know where the best place to find one is?

[Reply #1 on:]

So do you mean 360deg or continuous or multi-turn?

You can get multi turn potentiometers which will do say 4 turns or so or if you want continuous, you are looking for a rotary encoder.

Mowcius

[Reply #2 on:]

You can get continuous rotation pots, these are designed for use in servos and are quite pricey.
A typical example is:-
http://uk.rs-online.com/web/search/searchBrowseAction.html?method=getProduct&R=2943690

[Reply #3 on:]

Thanks,
I'll check out the rotary encoder and try modifying one of my pots.
Appreciate the input.

[Reply #4 on:]

There are these at digikey, 74 cents, 360 rotation. Supply your own shaft.

[Reply #5 on:]

Guess the link would have been good:
http://search.digikey.com/scripts/DkSearch/dksus.dll?Detail&name=P12426TR-ND

Search for potentiometer, filter on continuous

[Reply #6 on:]

If you are looking for a "cheap" small shaft encoder have a look at http://www.usdigital.com/products/ma3/ if you're in europe and your german is passable (or use chrome and translate feature) you can order online from the german site, or just give them a call in the USA or send a fax ( i know, who thought people still use fax'es).

Hope this helps

[Reply #7 on:]

$40! Hardly seems 'cheap'!
I think I'd give the 74 cents approach a shot first

Ok, I tried to order to confirm price,
need a slightly different part number, $2.06 each.

http://search.digikey.com/scripts/DkSearch/dksus.dll?Detail&name=P12426CT-ND

Only has 330 degree of resistance coverage, put two back to back arranged so that their  0 +/- 14 locations didn't overlap.

[Reply #8 on:]

Really low-budget scrounge. Got an old-style mechanical mouse in the junk box? Two rotary encoders and a couple switches for free. If you're lucky the parts can be removed from the housing for re-use. Might have to remove crud.

[Reply #9 on:]

$40! Hardly seems 'cheap'!

Notice "cheap" with quotation's either side!!! It was supposed to imply that it is relatively cheap!! Not cheap full stop.......

[Reply #10 on:]

If you can live with a mechanical rotary encoder:

http://www.bgmicro.com/pushbuttonmechanicalrotaryencoder.aspx
http://www.allelectronics.com/make-a-store/item/REC-3/ROTARY-ENCODER/1.html
http://www.goldmine-elec-products.com/prodinfo.asp?number=G16267
http://www.sureelectronics.net/goods.php?id=221

Or even modern mice usually have an encoder for the "wheel" portion.

Also, there are ways to use a stepper motor as an encoder...

[Reply #11 on:]

Farnell group are pretty world-wide these days
This is just under 6ukp and is 15ppr (30 if you matrix the A&B channels).

http://uk.farnell.com/alps/ec11j1520801/encoder-rotary-30ppr/dp/1656445