Hi everybody,
I have a problem. I need to remote control the volume in a tube based system, but I'm quite struggling with it.
I have tried to make a binary controlled relay network, but it was not good enough. (http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=115006)
Now I want to go back to the basics and make a shunt attenuator on rotary switch. I was thinking about to make it with relays, but now I do not like relays at all and also I do not like the idea of the large pcb for at least 24 relays.
At the moment I use a black alps, which is turned by the smaller stepper motor (same type, from an old floppy drive) on the right side.
I have tried to make a control for the switch. First I have tried if the motor on the left side has enough torque or not, it has plenty. It turns it with half current.
Than I made a little program to step 8 step (about one position) and release. It does not work. The reason is, when I release the motor or turn the swith by hand it is left in an unknown step phase. When start to turn it starts sometimes backward and step a few in the right direction. This is because the motor is not in the position what the uC think.
Now I'm stuck here. I do not want any attenuator IC, not even relay, but stay with the rotary switch, but I have to solve the mechanical problem somehow. I'm looking for any suggestion.
Thanks,
JG
I have a problem. I need to remote control the volume in a tube based system, but I'm quite struggling with it.
I have tried to make a binary controlled relay network, but it was not good enough. (http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=115006)
Now I want to go back to the basics and make a shunt attenuator on rotary switch. I was thinking about to make it with relays, but now I do not like relays at all and also I do not like the idea of the large pcb for at least 24 relays.
At the moment I use a black alps, which is turned by the smaller stepper motor (same type, from an old floppy drive) on the right side.
I have tried to make a control for the switch. First I have tried if the motor on the left side has enough torque or not, it has plenty. It turns it with half current.
Than I made a little program to step 8 step (about one position) and release. It does not work. The reason is, when I release the motor or turn the swith by hand it is left in an unknown step phase. When start to turn it starts sometimes backward and step a few in the right direction. This is because the motor is not in the position what the uC think.
Now I'm stuck here. I do not want any attenuator IC, not even relay, but stay with the rotary switch, but I have to solve the mechanical problem somehow. I'm looking for any suggestion.
Thanks,
JG