Kram
Member
- Messages
- 6,223
- Location
- Sussex
It should be a simple problem, but with the limited space, it is not!
Seeing @Dr.Al 's version in the 3d print thread has got me thinking about it again.
Here are a few ideas that I intend to try.
1) A linear slide pot mounted on the side of torch. They all have a bit too much travel at 35mm+. Im thinking a lever to reduce the travel and a button underneath the lever. This may be the easiest to get working, I need to order a few pots to experiment.
2) Mini thumb joysticks may work, may be too sensitive, free moving and truncated range? They have a button built in. I have one from an old game pad I will try, they are 10k ohm. It would be nicer if the control stayed in position and this is sprung to centre.
3) A wire wound could be dissassembled, and put around the torch. A tube with a shoulder could act as a bearing/housing for a tube shaped wiper, sitting against the wound coil.
This one is 10k but the travel would be too big, would it matter?! but a 50k would have about the right travel. I have a smaller one but its only 4.7k, so awill order a few more.
5) Pcb slide resistor. Many small smd resistors and traces to a slider. This is from a drill trigger, only 8 steps, I think it would be enough. Possibly the smallest way. A tactile button would go on the slider. To do properly I would draw up the pcb and get them printed by JLC or a similar service. As its a small part, it should be quite cheap to have many made. I have a roll of very tiny smd resistors already.
I dislike carbon track pots, its hard to find any that last and I dont want to be replacing it often, the wire wound and pcb ideas have some advantage.
Seeing @Dr.Al 's version in the 3d print thread has got me thinking about it again.
Here are a few ideas that I intend to try.
1) A linear slide pot mounted on the side of torch. They all have a bit too much travel at 35mm+. Im thinking a lever to reduce the travel and a button underneath the lever. This may be the easiest to get working, I need to order a few pots to experiment.
2) Mini thumb joysticks may work, may be too sensitive, free moving and truncated range? They have a button built in. I have one from an old game pad I will try, they are 10k ohm. It would be nicer if the control stayed in position and this is sprung to centre.
3Pcs Two Axis Mini Joystick 10K Potentiometer with Momentary Switch Button | eBay
Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 3Pcs Two Axis Mini Joystick 10K Potentiometer with Momentary Switch Button at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products.
www.ebay.co.uk
3) A wire wound could be dissassembled, and put around the torch. A tube with a shoulder could act as a bearing/housing for a tube shaped wiper, sitting against the wound coil.
This one is 10k but the travel would be too big, would it matter?! but a 50k would have about the right travel. I have a smaller one but its only 4.7k, so awill order a few more.
5) Pcb slide resistor. Many small smd resistors and traces to a slider. This is from a drill trigger, only 8 steps, I think it would be enough. Possibly the smallest way. A tactile button would go on the slider. To do properly I would draw up the pcb and get them printed by JLC or a similar service. As its a small part, it should be quite cheap to have many made. I have a roll of very tiny smd resistors already.
I dislike carbon track pots, its hard to find any that last and I dont want to be replacing it often, the wire wound and pcb ideas have some advantage.