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Question belt gearing the potentiometers

Discussion in 'Electronic and hardware generally' started by Robbie Teengs, May 11, 2017.

?

belt gearing for potentiometers

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  1. Robbie Teengs

    Robbie Teengs RobbieT

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    IMG_6945.JPG I have ordered and received 5:1 ratio pulleys and belts to gear my potentiometers as they have a very limited lifespan. Was thinking of putting the big gear on the pot and by doing that getting more movement on the potentiometer.

    Otherwise I cannot think of racing without the 2 DOF, its great fun!!

    Would appreciate any info regarding this matter.
    Robbie Teengs, May 11, 2017
    #1
  2. noorbeast

    noorbeast VR Tassie Devil Staff Member Moderator Race Director

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    Personally I prefer Hall sensors as they are precise, have a long life, can't be damaged if over rotated and can be direct driven from the shaft.

    But quality 10k pots are the alternative: https://www.xsimulator.net/community/faq/how-to-choose-potentiometer.238/

    Direct drive with a coupling is about as easy as it gets for connection, but there are different approaches: https://www.xsimulator.net/community/faq/how-to-connect-protect-a-potentiometer.13/

    I suspect there has to be a side loading using a belt, but I have never used one.
    noorbeast, May 12, 2017
    #2
  3. Zed

    Zed VR Simming w/Reverb Gold Contributor

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    You're right, Noorbeast. A side load is unavoidable with belts or else there will be slop which will undoubtably cause problems with feedback. How much that side load will matter to pot life is hard to know. I don't think that pots are made to handle much side load on the input shaft, though.

    @Robbie Teengs, if you put the big gear/pulley on the pot you will actually be reducing the travel on the pot but I don't know that will really matter as no matter what the gearing, every motion of the motor will result in a motion of the pot. Multiple turns on the pot will do the same but result in even more wear. In short, I think you won't change the wear profile on the pot.

    I think if you size the pot properly for resistance change over rotation, direct drive (with some kind of flex coupling) will be just as good for wear. What gearing or belting would do is get you maybe more precision and better repeatability.

    If anyone knows flaws in this, please chime in. I'm just going on electronics experience and not experience in this kind of application.
    Zed, May 12, 2017
    #3
  4. MarkusB

    MarkusB Well-Known Member Gold Contributor

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    I am using gearwheels for connecting the motor axis with the pot. In this way there is no side load on the pot.
    What I like with this approach is that I can very easily and quickly decouple the motor from the pot, e. g. in order to adjust the axis position my manually turning the pot.
    See here for some pictures and a little video:
    https://www.xsimulator.net/communit...eat-fans-and-vibration.7684/page-2#post-98101
    MarkusB, May 12, 2017
    #4
  5. Nick Moxley

    Nick Moxley Well-Known Member

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    Having owned a 3d printer, i know how TIGHT you have to have the belts to run accurately. Same deal here, But the problem en-lies with the pots themselves, they dont like side loading and a Properly tensioned belt is just that and your pots will surely lock up and fail sooner than later.

    Adjusting a Flex coupler to re tune the center point is a matter of turning 1 set screw, re adjusting and re tightening. Doesn't get much simpler than that.

    Direct mount with a flex coupler IS the way to go.
    • Informative Informative x 1
    Nick Moxley, May 12, 2017
    #5