I have a little project here, but i dont have a lot skills in hardware engineering.
My goal is to make arduino pro mini to convert pot readings to other scale in analog voltage. Im trying to make this stuff because i think 2k usd is not adequate price for 1 pot and some linkage to put it on. Pot are used to control height from ground on combine harvester header.
I know that pot should be producing voltage between 1.5 and 6.5 volts + difference should be 2 volts minimum from down to high.
As we know industrial pots are expensive and i have problems finding the one i need. But i have pot from cars accelerator pedal. Its making voltage from 1 to 8 volts if 12v supplied. It have 90 degrees effective range. Its ok for me i think.
So i would use voltage divider to read readings from pot.
Output are a bit harder. Now im thinking to put resistor ladder dac. The only problem i think now are that when arduino would switch digital pins voltage will jump. Does combine controller will feel it? Maybe i need to put on some capacitor after resistor ladder?
If you want a robust unit use an absolute rotary encoder, not a pot. You are talking
about a harsh agricultural environment where ordinary pots will simply corrode due to moisture.
These days magnetic rotary encoder chips like the AS5040 give 10 bit absolute
precision at a reasonable price if you can make the mechanical components.
Even industrial sealed absolute encoders are << 2k$
I have read about this too, but then i saw that filter will make some saw tooth. Resistor ladder would make more stable voltage i think. Only i cant figure out what will happen when arduino will switch pins, will voltage jump or it will do that quickly as even combine controller couldnt feel it.
Maybe i should add small capacitor after ladder so that would make voltage stable?