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attaching encoders to wheelchair gearboxes.

Discussion in 'DIY Motion Simulator Building Q&A / FAQ' started by bob golding, Mar 29, 2022.

  1. bob golding

    bob golding Member Gold Contributor

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    i have 6 wheelchair motors. next job is to attach some sort of encoder to the output shaft. any links to how people have done this would be apprieicated. i am guessing using the motor shaft will not be accurate enough,and it would be better to use the output shaft.i have seen various ways of doing it any thoughts on the best way to do this would be welcome. now i have the motors. i just have to sort the hardware like the motor cranks and rose bearings plus the rods and the frame. then i have the the task of getting it all to talk to each other. lots of fun still to come.
  2. bob golding

    bob golding Member Gold Contributor

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    been doing a bit of reading, never enough time,but i try to keep up. seems i may be better off attacting encoders to the motor shafts as i have access to all of them. havent measured the speed of the motors but i think they are around 3000 rpm. this works out about around 50 hz. will sim tools read them ok. ? i havent decided what type yet but suspect it will have to be hall effect.
  3. zapata_h

    zapata_h Active Member

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    My Motion Simulator:
    3DOF, AC motor, Arduino
    You must take into account that the potentiometers have approximately 300º, therefore the correct connection would be to the output shaft of your gearbox, if you place it directly on the motor shaft you will break the potentiometer
  4. bob golding

    bob golding Member Gold Contributor

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    thanks i was thinking of a optical encoder rather than a pot. i have checked the price!!! far to expensive. i am now thinking a toothed belt from the output shaft and a wirewound pot or maybe a hall effect sensor. as it is a 6 dof set up prices add up quickly when you have to buy 6 of them. i am from a background of film special effects were some else paid the bills. now i am paying myself i have to use less than ideal solutions unfortunatly.
  5. noorbeast

    noorbeast VR Tassie Devil Staff Member Moderator Race Director

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    My Motion Simulator:
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    While more expensive than a wire wound pot 180 degree Hall Sensors have the advantage that they can be directly driven from the shaft using a flexible coupling, won't break if over rotated and have excellent resolution and long life span.
  6. bob golding

    bob golding Member Gold Contributor

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    will they interface to the arduino ok?
  7. zapata_h

    zapata_h Active Member

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    My Motion Simulator:
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    They connect perfectly, they have more useful life than a normal potentiometer, they do not have friction and if the motor rotates more than normal it will not be damaged. But never connect it directly to the motor shaft because it rotates much faster than the gearbox output.
  8. noorbeast

    noorbeast VR Tassie Devil Staff Member Moderator Race Director

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    My Motion Simulator:
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    Yes, you can use appropriate hall sensors as a drop in pot replacement, just ensure correct wiring and specs like this: https://au.element14.com/bi-technol...fs/sensor-hall-0-2v-20v-to-10v-pin/dp/2319662

    I consider a properly sized flexible coupling is the easiest/best way to go to connect a Hall Sensor to a motor, but there are other options, see the FAQs here: https://www.xsimulator.net/community/faq/how-to-connect-protect-a-potentiometer.13/