S4 Encoder Group Buy

[peirvine]

Hello Community!

2175 is doing another US Digital S4 Encoder (http://www.usdigital.com/products/encoders/incremental/rotary/shaft/S4) order (the same ones that were featured in this thread (http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/showthread.php?t=116899)). We are getting the S4-120-250-N-S-B model and the more we order, the lower the price will be. My team used these encoders last year and have had amazing results with them (meaning we actually got them to work) so I would highly recommend them.

If your team wants to get in on the order, either comment in this thread or PM me. We are going to try to place the order either Friday of this week or next Monday.

We are also going to be ordering the CA-MIC4-W4-NC-3 (http://www.usdigital.com/products/cables-connectors/cables/4-pin/ca-mic4-w4-nc) 3ft cables that go with the encoders, so if you want some please include the number you want in the post/PM.

[Chief Hedgehog]

Is anyone else in?

[AllenGregoryIV]

What are costs and quantity needed to get that price?

[Ken Streeter]

2175 is doing another US Digital S4 Encoder (http://www.usdigital.com/products/encoders/incremental/rotary/shaft/S4) order (the same ones that were featured in this thread (http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/showthread.php?t=116899)). We are getting the S4-120-250-N-S-B model and the more we order, the lower the price will be.

When placing your order, let US Digital know you are a FIRST team. Their policy has been to give FIRST teams the "next level discount" price break.

Also, when you place the order, please thank them for their sponsorship of FIRST by providing FIRST teams with no-hassle discounted pricing!

[arizonafoxx]

Please let us know the cost and what quantity we will get a price break.

[AdamHeard]

What are costs and quantity needed to get that price?

We would also like to know.

[Sparky3D]

What are costs and quantity needed to get that price?

We would like to know this as well. ;)

[peirvine]

We would like to know this as well. ;)

I am waiting for a response from US Digital, if they don't get back to me tomorrow, I'll give them a call.

[page2067]

We are interested, once particulars are known

[David Guzman]

We may also be interested once we have more details.

[Dunngeon]

Same as everyone above, interested once details are known

[Coach Norm]

I am interested as well.

[billbo911]

We had been very interested in this encoder as well. When we received a waiver from USDigital to purchase 10 of them we were still a bit shocked at the price. Don't get me wrong. these are really nice encoders for many reason.

Ultimately we ended up ordering these encoders (https://www.sparkfun.com/products/10932). They run at basically the same price, if not a bit less when bought in 10+ quantities, as these USDigital encoders (http://www.andymark.com/product-p/am-0791.htm) from AndyMark.
Our kids destroy the EP4s because of poor handling and awareness of how delicate and fragile they are. So, hopefully, these sealed units will last a bit longer.

[AdamHeard]

We had been very interested in this encoder as well. When we received a waiver from USDigital to purchase 10 of them we were still a bit shocked at the price. Don't get me wrong. these are really nice encoders for many reason.

Ultimately we ended up ordering these encoders (https://www.sparkfun.com/products/10932). They run at basically the same price, if not a bit less when bought in 10+ quantities, as these USDigital encoders (http://www.andymark.com/product-p/am-0791.htm) from AndyMark.
Our kids destroy the EP4s because of poor handling and awareness of how delicate and fragile they are. So, hopefully, these sealed units will last a bit longer.

Please, please, please post your experience with those sparkfun encoders as soon as you feel you can provide good feedback!

Thanks!

[peirvine]

I got a quote from US Digital today and here is what the price breakdown is for both encoders and cables:

20-49 Encoders (S4-120-250-N-S-B) $60.13 each
50-99 Encoders (S4-120-250-N-S-B) $53.97 each
20-49 Cables (CA-MIC4-W4-NC-3) $7.30 each
50-99 Cables (CA-MIC4-W4-NC-3)$6.67 each


Already, we have these orders:
2175 - 6 encoders, 12 cables
3130 - 6 encoders, 12 cables
3883 - 6 encoders, 6 cables
4607 - 6 encoders, 6 cables

We are looking at placing the order either Monday or Tuesday so if you want some encoders/cables, please let me know before then.

[Caleb Sykes]

Put 4536 down for 1 encoder and 1 cable. We'll play around with it, and if they are as magical as you make them seem, we might take a few more in the next group order. :p

[billbo911]

Please, please, please post your experience with those sparkfun encoders as soon as you feel you can provide good feedback!

Thanks!

I set up a quick vi to run and sample the output of the encoders we ended up purchasing from Sparkfun.

Adam specifically wanted to know ho well they operated in the 2000 RPM range as well as if they became warm due to the very minor resistance to rotation they have.

These encoders are rated up to 5000 RPM. We tested them at just over 2500 RPM. They ran continuously for over 20 minutes during the tests and never got warmer than room temperature.

Below is a graph of the A and B channels. The slight fluctuation is attributed to the mechanical set up used to drive the encoder. As you can see, it was a bit janky, but it worked.

http://billbo911.smugmug.com/Hobbies/2015/i-MpQQpSv/0/XL/20150124_115230-XL.jpg

[thinker&planner]

Please put 3502 down for 4 encoders and 4 cables.
Thanks!

[jmullins16]

Please allocate 6 for Team 2135--no cables needed.

Thanks

[MrRoboSteve]

3081 - 4 encoders, 4 cables.

[AdamHeard]

We'd be interested if it's 360 count. Why the lower count?

[AllenGregoryIV]

Put us down for 4 encoders & 6 cables

[Ginger Power]

We'd be interested if it's 360 count. Why the lower count?

They want to be consistent between what they are ordering. They also plan on running them at higher speeds so the 120 is better for that application.
-From Peter Irvine

[rich2202]

Put 2202 down for 2 encoders and 2 cables.

Thanks.
I will need an invoice (email should be ok), and we can mail you a check.

PS: If you get another order or two, you should be at 50+ level, and can get the 100+ pricing. What would that be?

When placing your order, let US Digital know you are a FIRST team. Their policy has been to give FIRST teams the "next level discount" price break.

[peirvine]

They want to be consistent between what they are ordering. They also plan on running them at higher speeds so the 120 is better for that application.
-From Peter Irvine

^^Accurate

Here is what we have for orders:
2175 - 6 encoders, 12 cables
3130 - 6 encoders, 12 cables
3883 - 6 encoders, 6 cables
4607 - 6 encoders, 10 cables
4536 - 1 encoder, 1 cables
3502 - 4 encoders, 4 cables
2135 - 6 encoders
3081 - 4 encoders, 4 cables
3847 - 4 encoders, 6 cables
4334 - 4 encoders, 6 cables
2202 - 2 encoders, 2 cables

Total Encoders: 49
Total Cables: 63

[thinker&planner]

if you are that close to 50, we can take one more of each.

[peirvine]

With that order we now are up to 50 encoders, so we qualify for the next price break!

Here is what we have for orders:
2175 - 6 encoders, 12 cables
3130 - 6 encoders, 12 cables
3883 - 6 encoders, 6 cables
4607 - 6 encoders, 10 cables
4536 - 1 encoder, 1 cables
3502 - 5 encoders, 5 cables
2135 - 6 encoders
3081 - 4 encoders, 4 cables
3847 - 4 encoders, 6 cables
4334 - 4 encoders, 6 cables
2202 - 2 encoders, 2 cables

Total Encoders: 50
Total Cables: 64

[Sparky3D]

If it's not too late, you can put 1736 down for 2 encoders and 2 cables.

[AdamHeard]

^^Accurate



How fast are you running them that you are having issues? We've run them pretty fast w/o issue.

It's a bummer because you're giving up resolution for free.

[Dunngeon]

How fast are you running them that you are having issues? We've run them pretty fast w/o issue.

It's a bummer because you're giving up resolution for free.

Out of curiosity, how fast have you run the 360 click encoder before?

[Rowley]

If you're still adding orders, please add 1912 - 2 encoders, 2 cables. Thanks!

[Ether]

Out of curiosity, how fast have you run the 360 click encoder before?

Don't forget, the FPGA sampling rate has been increased this year to 1MHz (was 153KHz in cRIO).

[AdamHeard]

Out of curiosity, how fast have you run the 360 click encoder before?

360 1:1 off cim.

[peirvine]

So I will be placing the order today and here are the teams that we are getting encoders/cables for:
Here is what we have for orders:
2175 - 6 encoders, 12 cables
3130 - 6 encoders, 12 cables
3883 - 6 encoders, 6 cables
4607 - 6 encoders, 10 cables
4536 - 1 encoder, 1 cables
3502 - 5 encoders, 5 cables
2135 - 6 encoders
3081 - 4 encoders, 4 cables
3847 - 4 encoders, 6 cables
4334 - 4 encoders, 6 cables
2202 - 2 encoders, 2 cables
1736 - 2 encoders, 2 cables
1912 - 2 encoders, 2 cables

Total Encoders: 54
Total Cables: 68

The final price per encoder is: $53.97
The final price per cable is: $6.67

I will be sending out invoices to those who responded to the thread/sent me a PM later today.

[rich2202]

I will be sending out invoices to those who responded to the thread/sent me a PM later today.

Don't forget to include something for shipping to the team. Priority Mail Flat Rate Small box is $5.95, or something like $5.25 if you pay on-line.

[peirvine]

Don't forget to include something for shipping to the team. Priority Mail Flat Rate Small box is $5.95, or something like $5.25 if you pay on-line.

We will most likely be doing $10 for shipping/handling (same as the last time a group order was placed).

[peirvine]

We are placing the order today, once we know how much the total order is, we will be sending out invoices to everyone who ordered encoders.

[Chief Hedgehog]

Thanks again for doing this sir!

[rich2202]

Mail you a check, or do you have a paypal account? Bitcoin?

[Sparky3D]

Were the invoices sent out? I haven't seen anything and wanted to make sure my spam filter didn't eat it.

Thanks

[peirvine]

Check would be preferred, and invoices are being sent out now.

[peirvine]

All of the invoices were just sent out, if you did not get one, or if you notice an error, please contact me directly.

We will ship the encoders/cables to you once we have received your check.

Thank you for your orders!