Encoders for 2015 Season

[hzheng_449]

We use the US digital H6 encoder

The extra cost vs the E4P is definitely worth is as the H6 is more reliable and easier to use than the E4P.

[Ben Wolsieffer]

What are the mounting options for the CUI AMT-10 encoders (like the ones mentioned above and included in FIRST Choice)? Has anyone tried using them with Andymark or VexPro gearboxes (specifically Touchbox Mini or 3-CIM ball shifter)?

I know I could do more research into the technical documents, but I'd like to hear people's experiences too.

[Twins Inc.]

Originally Posted by lopsided98

I know I could do more research into the technical documents, but I'd like to hear people's experiences too.

I think that might be the best option right now, researching the spec sheets. I haven't seen the CUI encoders before this year, and I haven't really seen teams use them on those gearboxes yet. But hey, Prove me wrong! I'll get back here and let you all know what I find if I do eventually research this myself.

[AdamHeard]

Originally Posted by hzheng_449

We use the US digital H6 encoder

The extra cost vs the E4P is definitely worth is as the H6 is more reliable and easier to use than the E4P.

I'm a big fan of US Digital, and use the super high count E6's where it makes sense... but for a shaft based option I'm not seeing the advantage of the H6 over the grayhill encoders. Much more money and size!

[Joey Milia]

Originally Posted by mman1506

I can't stand the tiny little connectors on us digital encoders, they always broke on us. I much prefer the solder terminals on other encoders like greyhills.

Originally Posted by Jared

My favorite encoders are the greyhill ones. They're more expensive and a tiny bit larger, but they are quite strong.

Originally Posted by AdamHeard

I'm a big fan of US Digital, and use the super high count E6's where it makes sense... but for a shaft based option I'm not seeing the advantage of the H6 over the grayhill encoders. Much more money and size!

Which grayhill model do you use and where do you source them?

[mman1506]

Originally Posted by Joey Milia

Which grayhill model do you use and where do you source them?

The grayhill 61K, 61E, 63R are the series commonly used in frc. They can be purchased from digikey.

[nathannfm]

Are there any good options for measuring off the back shaft of a banebots style motor? Mainly common FRC encoders than can do 20,000 RPM and if there are any known good mounting options/tricks.

[AdamHeard]

Originally Posted by nathannfm

Are there any good options for measuring off the back shaft of a banebots style motor? Mainly common FRC encoders than can do 20,000 RPM and if there are any known good mounting options/tricks.

By the time you have any meaningful reduction off it the precision will be poor due to backlash for average FRC gearing. This could be acceptable for the application or a huge pain.

[nathannfm]

Originally Posted by AdamHeard

By the time you have any meaningful reduction off it the precision will be poor due to backlash for average FRC gearing. This could be acceptable for the application or a huge pain.

Right, thanks for pointing that out, so no good for 100:1 VP on a swerve drive. We tried reading a shoulder bolt sticking out of the tapped hole but the tolerance on on that hole is non existent and it wobbled all over the place. Guess we are going to have to press a pin in and turn it to round after its in the shaft.

[Qbot2640]

Originally Posted by mman1506

The grayhill 61K, 61E, 63R are the series commonly used in frc. They can be purchased from digikey.

Excuse my lack of experience - we have never used encoders, and I desperately want to this year. The Grayhill models referenced above look like potentiometers, for lack of a better description...How are they installed? Do you just couple the shaft to the gearbox shaft?

I understand how the US Digital one's install - in fact, we installed a pair on our robot this fall for the off-season, but never figured out how to wire them up or program them.

[Jared]

Originally Posted by Qbot2640

Excuse my lack of experience - we have never used encoders, and I desperately want to this year. The Grayhill models referenced above look like potentiometers, for lack of a better description...How are they installed? Do you just couple the shaft to the gearbox shaft?

I understand how the US Digital one's install - in fact, we installed a pair on our robot this fall for the off-season, but never figured out how to wire them up or program them.

They're installed just like potentiometers, but they have no restriction on how far they can turn. If you want, you can couple them to a gearbox shaft, or you could put a sprocket or pulley on the encoder shaft.

To couple the shaft of the encoder to the gearbox without having to buy/make a shaft coupler, you can actually use a short piece of surgical tubing, and stick the two shafts inside the hole in the middle of the tubing and put on a few zip ties to prevent it from sliding out.

[mman1506]

Originally Posted by Qbot2640

Excuse my lack of experience - we have never used encoders, and I desperately want to this year. The Grayhill models referenced above look like potentiometers, for lack of a better description...How are they installed? Do you just couple the shaft to the gearbox shaft?

I understand how the US Digital one's install - in fact, we installed a pair on our robot this fall for the off-season, but never figured out how to wire them up or program them.

You are correct, they interface mechanically exactly like a pot would. Here is a pic of two grayhills 971 has on their bot https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-f...52841%2529.JPG .
What's really great about the greyhills is that the shaft is supported by a ball bearing so they are MUCH more tolerable tolerable to axial and radial load than the commonly used US digital encoders.

[Ether]

Originally Posted by mman1506

What's really great about the greyhills is that the shaft is supported by a ball bearing so they are MUCH more tolerable tolerable to axial and radial load than the commonly used US digital encoders.

Two things:

1) It's spelled "Grayhill", with an "a". (It's easier to find if spelled correctly)

2) Not all models of Grayhill encoders have ball bearings. Make sure to check the datasheet before ordering.

[mman1506]

Originally Posted by Ether

Two things:

1) It's spelled "Grayhill", with an "a". (It's easier to find if spelled correctly)

2) Not all models of Grayhill encoders have ball bearings. Make sure to check the datasheet before ordering.

All of the models I previously listed and referenced to in my post are ball bearing supported.

[AdamHeard]

Originally Posted by mman1506

You are correct, they interface mechanically exactly like a pot would. Here is a pic of two grayhills 971 has on their bot https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-f...52841%2529.JPG .
What's really great about the greyhills is that the shaft is supported by a ball bearing so they are MUCH more tolerable tolerable to axial and radial load than the commonly used US digital encoders.

Us digital does have shaft based encoders as well.