Potentiometer components

sam9 · 18th October 2004, 03:01 PM

Anyone know a source where you can buy the comonents of pots that one can then assemble in to as many "gangs" as desired?

The Allen-Bradley "mod pots" look like they would be suitable, but I can not find anywhere that sell just the pieces -- only assembled units.

cpemma · 18th October 2004, 03:35 PM

Vishay also do a few ranges of modular pots, datasheets here.

Bill Fitzpatrick · 18th October 2004, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by sam9

The Allen-Bradley "mod pots" look like they would be suitable, but I can not find anywhere that sell just the pieces -- only assembled units.

I tried to find the same several years ago and had no luck either. It may be possible to buy some surplus pots, get some threaded rod and assemble into what you need. I didn't follow through with that idea but it looked practical.

Gcollier · 18th October 2004, 08:07 PM

Have you considered going digital. A DS1802 digital pot from Maxim is VERY easy to implement. I run mine from a +/-2.7V split supply. These operate from pushbutton controls, you could easily "share" a button for several channels.

sam9 · 18th October 2004, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Have you considered going digital. A DS1802 digital pot . . .

Yes. That is the obvious solution. And it looks like the one I'll be forced in to. I've also looked a scheme published in EDN that lets you control as many CAT1113's as you like with a mechanical pot. I'm more comfortable (old fashioned) with a knob I can twist. The idea should work with the Maxim device as well.

I may go this way although the conceptual concept of decent quality ganged pot at a reasonable price (eliminates DACT!) still appeals to me. Rationally, the noise and diostortion figures for both of the units mentioned are quite low, but irrationally I like the passive aspect of tradition.

dnsey · 18th October 2004, 11:04 PM

How about these?
http://rswww.com/cgi-bin/bv/browse/M...stockNo=393914

sam9 · 18th October 2004, 11:31 PM

Quote:

How about these?
http://rswww.com/cgi-bin/bv/browse/...&stockNo=393914

Those are certainly along the right lines. 15,000 cycles puts them somewhere between a trim pot but not in the 100,000 cyle bracket of a long service life item. Still it's the right idea. I would just need a small retangular rod that would slip through a row of them.

Definatly someting to try out. Hopefully, shipping cost isn't too bad.

dangus · 18th October 2004, 11:36 PM

...or this VCA: http://www.analog.com/en/prod/0,2877,SSM2018,00.html

GRollins · 18th October 2004, 11:41 PM

My experience with stackable pots is that there's a great deal of play between the shaft and the collet inside the pot. When you turn the shaft, there's a lag of several degrees before the wiper begins to turn. Once you get several of these going together, you cannot guarantee that they will track together. How many dB this might work out to in practice, I couldn't say--I got so depressed about the sloppy mechanical aspect that I got rid of the pots; didn't test them.
Sad, but true.
With luck the pots available today have tighter mechanical tolerances.

Grey

18th October 2004, 03:01 PM	#1
sam9 diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Left Coast	Potentiometer components Anyone know a source where you can buy the comonents of pots that one can then assemble in to as many "gangs" as desired? The Allen-Bradley "mod pots" look like they would be suitable, but I can not find anywhere that sell just the pieces -- only assembled units.

18th October 2004, 08:07 PM	#4
Gcollier diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Windsor	What About Going Digital Have you considered going digital. A DS1802 digital pot from Maxim is VERY easy to implement. I run mine from a +/-2.7V split supply. These operate from pushbutton controls, you could easily "share" a button for several channels.

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18th October 2004, 03:35 PM	#2
cpemma diyAudio Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: S Yorkshire OK	Vishay also do a few ranges of modular pots, datasheets here.

18th October 2004, 11:04 PM	#6
dnsey diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Shropshire, England	How about these? http://rswww.com/cgi-bin/bv/browse/M...stockNo=393914

18th October 2004, 11:36 PM	#8
dangus diyAudio Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Vancouver Island	...or this VCA: http://www.analog.com/en/prod/0,2877,SSM2018,00.html

18th October 2004, 11:41 PM	#9
GRollins diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Columbia, SC	My experience with stackable pots is that there's a great deal of play between the shaft and the collet inside the pot. When you turn the shaft, there's a lag of several degrees before the wiper begins to turn. Once you get several of these going together, you cannot guarantee that they will track together. How many dB this might work out to in practice, I couldn't say--I got so depressed about the sloppy mechanical aspect that I got rid of the pots; didn't test them. Sad, but true. With luck the pots available today have tighter mechanical tolerances. Grey

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