One of the lessons we have learned over the past two years is that our team is not capable of using the open frame
US Digital encoders reliably. We have gone through handfuls of them, and no matter how careful we handle them, they always go bad at the most inopportune times. Looking through past posts, other teams seem to be having similar experiences. Doing some research shows that the best teams have switched over to using the sealed versions of these encoders, with ball bearing supported input shafts. As a summer project, we are going to try this out.
I just got a quote from US Digital for their
S4 encoders. In small quantities, they are nearly twice as expensive as the E4P encoders if purchased from AndyMark. Like most electrical components, increasing the quantity ordered decreases price rapidly. We're looking at getting part number S4-120-250-N-S-B. I'm hoping I could put together an order of at least 50 of them, which would get the price down to $48.60 each. Would any other teams be interested in going in on a group buy of these encoders?
In FIRST, there's no such thing as too many 1/4-20 bolts, too many bottles of caffeinated beverage, and too much knowledge from others. - Billfred [more] 
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