Rotary switch to encoder...

[geneb]

A long time ago I found a short write-up on how to convert a 12 pole rotary switch to act like a rotary encoder.

Does anyone recall seeing this or can point me to it?

tnx!

g.

[iwik]

Hi G,
Have a look at the right side of page about half way done. Ians done a nice pdf.
http://www.737ng.co.uk/technical.htm
You must be very excited at the moment, Castar is not far off for you.
Be great to hear how it goes.

Regards
Les

[geneb]

Thanks Les, that was exactly what I was looking for!

From what I've read, the shipment of the early castAR rewards will be delayed somewhat, so I'd be surprised if they hit the April date.

I've started working on stuff for the F-15 again - the new stick centering mechanism is installed using 3D printed brackets that hold a pair of LM8UU linear bearings. I'll get pics posted of that soon I hope.

g.

[Hoorf]

In lieu of that, Leo Bodnar offers PC boards which solder into the bottoms of Lorlin rotary switches that let them act as rotary encoders...with only 2 wires to connect to an encoder board. They're USD$4.01 each on his site, ordered two last night.

[tiburon]

Are you sure about that? You do mean the BBI-12 rotary connector boards to connect to the BBI-32 ?
They don't convert your rotary switch to an encoder. it's just a convenient way to connect a rotary switch with only two wires.

Martin

[geneb]

I'm confused as well - you need at least three wires in order to indicate which direction the shaft is being turned. (common, right, left)

g.

[iwik]

Guys,
Without seeing the board it appears from the write up it can only be used with the BBI-32 and the firmware on the I/F
card works it out.
Les

[Biggles2010]

I think the switch you require from Leo Bodnar is the SLI 12 rotary, not the BBI 32 rotary. It is not shown in the main product index.

It comes as a complete 12 position rotary switch with a 3 wire connection.

On the products page it's listed under the SLI Pro item. It's designed for use with racing car simulators but works fine with FSX.

John

[tiburon]

No, what the op wants is a rotary encoder. For the life of me I can't imagine why he wants to convert a rotary switch to an encoder, encoders are cheap and the trouble you have to take to convert a switch is just not worth it.
My 2 cts.

[Biggles2010]

I perhaps should have expanded my post a little more.

geneb specifically asked about using a rotary switch like an encoder, so I assumed, perhaps wrongly, that he had some particular reason, like the facility for positive stops at set positions. An example would be for the autobrake control.

An alternative, which I use for this type of control, is the Bodnar SLI 12 rotary switch. This actually works as a potentiometer rather than an encoder, and it can therefore be connected to an axis input on a suitable card such as the BU0836A or BU0836X. When calibrated with FSUIPC it allows up and down movements and a positive stop at each position.

There is another guide on Ian Sissons web site, http://www.737ng.co.uk/technical.htm on how to calibrate such a control. Title is Making a Rotary Switch Behave as a Potentiometer. He also explains how to modify your own standard rotary by laddering resistors.

John

[Hoorf]

I could be a bit incorrect in some of my wording: Here's the item on-site: http://www.leobodnar.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=86&products_id=207...

In regard to being able to interface a 1-pole, 12-position (1P12T) rotary switch, it does indeed use only 2 wires rather than 13 without it; also, perhaps I was wrong to use the term 'encoder', so that's on me. In closing, yes, this device works only with the BBI-32 board. I apologize for any confusion created here.