Encoders ? Will these work with any code we currently have with Sabertooths ?

I have no idea about these so best to ask the question. Im looking at getting either the Ampflow E30-150 or the E30-400 and they have the shaft on the backside of the motor to attach an encoder. I'm not bothered if I have to get a Kangaroo or use a Mega or ESP or whatever I just really want to get away from using a Pot of what ever sort.

So looking around for hollow shaft encoders with a diameter of 9.525mm these are the only ones I can seem to find. If anyone has any better suggestions please chime in and let me know

https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/HKT30-rotary-encoder-9-525mm-hollow_60475930443.html

thanks all

@Thanos will these work with the AMC and sabertooths ?

Yes, you would need the Encoder2position circuit though, which I don't have any in stock right now.

However its simple to get the micro and the dac as parts and join them as per the schematic on my Tindie page.

The firmware is also available there...

Thanks
Thanos

Awesome that will do then thanks

I've had success with these and a kangaroo.

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.com.au/ulk/itm/191980284460

I had to use pull up resistors on a 2mtr cable.

It's not hollow like your after but just another reference for you to consider.

Thanks matey, They look good I can get the same in the UK too. And only £10 each I'll have another look at your thread I must of overlooked these see how you attached them.

Ive only had some limited test time with those encoders before I had to stop to do repairs on my rig.
But during that initial test time, they didnt miss any pulses.
I'll be working on the rig this weekend so I should get it running and be able to do an extended run with these encoders.
I still need to prove that extended runs will not see the position creep over time from missed pulses.

I did discover that I had the power cables too close to the encoder cables and this caused missed pulse and errors when trying to tune.

I used the 360p encoder.
The kangaroo can do 80,000 pulses per sec for both channels combined.

A 1000p encoder could be OK at 3000rpm,
But, Im unclear if a 1000p unit means 1000 pulses, 2000 pulses or 4000 pulses in quadrature.

So I picked the 360p unit just to stay well clear of the kangaroo limit no matter which way you look at it.
The resolution of 360p is fine even if its the worst case and only ticking over one pulse per degree of rotation.
The rotation movement looked smooth enough to me while it was running.

You can use this breakout of the DAC:
https://www.adafruit.com/product/935

There is no need to use the encoder differential transceiver, in your case connect the encoder directly to A and B



Thanks

@Thanos
Im still learning this encoder stuff and basic electronics.
Could you check my understanding below of the 12 DAC and how it affects resolution

12 bit DAC =4096 max range for the 0-5v output
Say we have 500mm long throw to end stops with a 1605 ballscrew, hence 100 turns end to end. and say we want to apply the full 0-5v range over this 500mm
So best case resolution is 4096 / 100 turns = approx 40 ticks per revolution or 9 degrees per tick.
Does this mean any encoder down to 40 pulse per revolution will do? Because a higher pulse encoder still resolves to the same 4096 output range of the DAC?

If the example was 1000mm throw, then any encoder down to 20p/r would do?

Please check my understanding. Thanks

Wow that's even better then !

Do we use limit switches with the 1280 or can it work without ?

You need to hook up limit switches for the Encoder2position circuit to evaluate the total stroke of the actuator...
The limit switches are calibrating for calibrating essentially. But if are activated again later they will reduce the travel length a little more

And that is exactly the reason I didn't want to have to deal with numerous different encoders out there... The circuit will automatically SCALE the output to any number of resolution the encoder has....

The limit switches will mark start of end of position of the actuator and the encoder count in between will spread evenly to 0-5v output... no mater how much CPR is the encoder...

Thanks I'll get some ordered and have a play when I get a motor sorted

Nice to see others using encoders! I'm using 100 p/r similar to JAD's post on wheelchair motors with Kangaroos and Sabertooths. I had issues using 600p/s x3000±rpm, 30,000 per motor x2 getting close to 80000. I switched to 100 and also put in noise suppressor magnets, so I don't know what fixed my issues but they work extremely well now.