White Paper Discuss: Measuring Distance with Analog Potentiometers

[Daniel]

Thread created automatically to discuss a document in the White Papers.

Measuring Distance with Analog Potentiometers by Daniel

[Chriszuma]

What kind of potentiometer are you specifically referring to? With all the pots I've encountered, they have a mechanical stop that prevents them from turning past about 270 degrees. I sincerely hope you're not suggesting taking apart a potentiometer and removing the mechanical stop.

[Joe Ross]

Originally Posted by Chriszuma

What kind of potentiometer are you specifically referring to? With all the pots I've encountered, they have a mechanical stop that prevents them from turning past about 270 degrees. I sincerely hope you're not suggesting taking apart a potentiometer and removing the mechanical stop.

He gives one suggestion for a single turn continous rotation pot towards the end of the white paper. However, there are many more choices availible.

[Daniel]

Originally Posted by Chriszuma

What kind of potentiometer are you specifically referring to? With all the pots I've encountered, they have a mechanical stop that prevents them from turning past about 270 degrees. I sincerely hope you're not suggesting taking apart a potentiometer and removing the mechanical stop.

There is a pot specified in the white paper. I heard that that company make them without a dead space. That is the best one to get.

[Joe Ross]

I've implemented a LabVIEW library for doing this with the new control system.

See here: http://forums.usfirst.org/showthread.php?t=10546

By the way, even if you don't use continuous turn potentiometers, everyone should look at the method Daniel uses for a cheap flexible shaft coupling.