What are teams using for encoders on the WCP SS gearbox? I couldn’t find anything on their website and nothing came up with a search here.
If you look at the back plate of the gearbox on page 3 here, you can see two holes situated around where the back of the output shaft is. Also on that output shaft, there is a smaller 1/4" hole in the shaft (it may be tapped to 1/4-20, i don’t remember). You can use the hole in the shaft to insert an encoder shaft, and use the holes on the gearbox plate to create a custom mount for your encoder. Grayhill encoders are pretty good encoders that are easy to mount and use.
The SS output shaft hole on the end of the axle (where the wheel goes) is tapped. The hole on the other side (where the slip ring goes) is 1/4" but is not tapped.
+1 on the Greyhill encoder. We put the greyhill encoder into the untapped 1/4" hole, connected the wire and then ziptied the wire to the gearbox plate close to the output shaft bearing.
On a wcd (the drive the SS was designed around though is not limited to), it is a common practice to attach the encoders to the outer wheel shafts as seen in this picture. Encoders are pressed into shaft ends and prevented from rotating with the shaft by tying down the wires to the bellypan with zip ties.
Thanks for the responses. It looks like I have several options then. Which Greyhill encoder do you recommend?
Most people will recommend the Grayhill 63R encoders. We will be using these for our (custom) gearboxes this year.
We’re looking at using this encoder with a Toughbox Nano. Any ideas on how to mount it?
On the SS encoders can be attached to the center wheel because there are no pneumatic actuators for shifting