I purchased 2 alps RK16818MG pots, and when connected according to the spec sheet, they do not attenuate audio. They are marked "AC only", and as you would expect, I can't measure any resistance with a DVM.
When connected, they pass audio but don't act like potentiometers.
Anybody out there with any experience or ideas? The website is just about useless. ANY help appreciated--
These were purchased on Ebay from a German concern, so my pleas for help from the vendor may not net much info.
When connected, they pass audio but don't act like potentiometers.
Anybody out there with any experience or ideas? The website is just about useless. ANY help appreciated--
These were purchased on Ebay from a German concern, so my pleas for help from the vendor may not net much info.
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It would help to see a simple diagram as to how you've connected the pots. By the sounds of it, if it's not attenuating audio, then you may simply have them incorrectly wired. Have a look at this article here about wiring pots correctly. Also, the `DC only` that you read probably refers to the motor on the pot and means that it will not operate with AC - therefore, DC only.
Thanks, however I can't seem to find a link to the article you refer to. The DC only for the pot motor makes sense.
I just got a better diagram from the vendor, but it matches the factory drawing. I'm going to try connecting again when I get to the shop this evening. I'll get back with you later and send the diagram.
J-
I just got a better diagram from the vendor, but it matches the factory drawing. I'm going to try connecting again when I get to the shop this evening. I'll get back with you later and send the diagram.
J-
Here's the link again: ESP - Potentiometers (Beginner's Guide)
A diagram would help greatly and should make solving your problem much easier .
A diagram would help greatly and should make solving your problem much easier .
Hey- Thanks for your help. I got a clearer hook-up diagram from the vendor, and the device is now acting like a volume control.
What threw me is the "AC only" tag (I may have said DC). I can't get a resistance measurement using a VOM or DVM, but it does attenuate an AC signal.
The other quirk I noticed is at signal levels above about 2.5 VRMS, the top half of a sine waveform squares at settings below about 50%, and the squaring worsens as the "pot" is turned down. So it looks like I may have to add some gain in the next stage to get my target output of 10VRMS.
Whatever is going on in there is certainly not a resistor.
For some reason I can't attach the .pdf file of the hook-up diagram with this browser, but if anyone is interested I can provide it from my home machine.
Again, Thanks
What threw me is the "AC only" tag (I may have said DC). I can't get a resistance measurement using a VOM or DVM, but it does attenuate an AC signal.
The other quirk I noticed is at signal levels above about 2.5 VRMS, the top half of a sine waveform squares at settings below about 50%, and the squaring worsens as the "pot" is turned down. So it looks like I may have to add some gain in the next stage to get my target output of 10VRMS.
Whatever is going on in there is certainly not a resistor.
For some reason I can't attach the .pdf file of the hook-up diagram with this browser, but if anyone is interested I can provide it from my home machine.
Again, Thanks
It would be real helpful if we knew what you were measuring? "Can't get a resistance reading," doesn;t specify what you are measuring. You can't measure resistance across the resistive elements or between the wiper and element? or you can;t measure resistance at the motor terminals?
And I went to Alps web site and entered that number (RK16818MG), and they have no record of that part number. Is that an Alps number, perhaps a typo, or is that a part number from a supplier like Mouser or Digikey or someone. I would like to look up the data sheet.
And I went to Alps web site and entered that number (RK16818MG), and they have no record of that part number. Is that an Alps number, perhaps a typo, or is that a part number from a supplier like Mouser or Digikey or someone. I would like to look up the data sheet.
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