rec.autos.simulators

I've been thinking of building my own wheel/Pedal set for some time.
Anybody know where I could get potmeters, and what the price would be? I
would like *quality* parts, so I won't have to change them for a
while...
Mailorder-companies will work fine!

Thanks,
Matt
--
------------------------------
Matthew Birger Patrick Knutsen
(http://www.racesimcentral.net/~matthebk)
"Racing cars is like dancing with a chainsaw"
-Cale Yarborough
Cheek Racing Cars (http://www.racesimcentral.net/~kareknut/)

Please Remove "NoSpam" from my E-mail adress when replying!
-------------------------------

You might try Radio Shack...although I'm not sure of the durability I know they
sell pots, transistors and the like.
R. Faust
aka Xducer

There is a manufacturer called ALPS which makes some of the best higher
end pots available, along with making the low and middle end parts
(mentioned because not all ALPS pots are high-end). I don't know where
to get the linear taper versions of their cream-of-the-crop pots, having
only used audio taper in HiFi projects, but they do make some really
nice ones. They can be a bit pricey ($30 US and up) but they track very
accurately. If anyone has used ALPS units in their wheels, speak up! I'd
like to know where to get 'em. :-)

(BTW, I'm not affiliated with any of the companies mentioned, just a
satisfied customer.)

--
Don Henry

Seriously thought, DigiKey (800) DIGI-KEY is a reasonable source for
higher quality parts. There are others, but none with such catchy 800
number. I've never been unhappy with DigiKey, though they are a bit
expensive in small quantities. (Still better than RatShack on value
though.)

For ultimate reliability, I think the way to go is optical encoder
wheels rather than pots, but then you're talking bigger dollars and
you have to interface over USB or the like. (It's not compatible with
the traditional game port.)

---Jim

--

Neil Yeatman          
Ajax, Ontario, CANADA

I just hope this optical wheel technology gets here about the same
time that force feedback gets ironed out and implemented by both
software companies (read that Papyrus for N3) and wheel companies
(read that Thomas "TSW" Enterprises and Thrustmaster.  I have no
experience with any other company.)

In the mean time, if you e-mail Trevor, he might or might not be
interested in selling you one of the 0-100K linear taper Clarostat
pots that the TSW uses for it's wheel.  (I have a TSW and I can vouch
for the long life and accuracy of these pots.  The quality of the
Clarostat pot that Trevor uses in the TSW is proportional to the rest
of the "heavy duty" nature of the TSW.)

Clarostat also makes a full range of products.  Be careful to get the
longest life "ceramic" versions of whatever you can get your hands on.

To use the Clarostat or any other 1/4" steel shaft pot in a
Thrustmaster wheel, you will first have to reduce the diameter of the
shaft 1/32" (use a lathe) and then extend the slit and add another
slit at 90 degrees (use a dremel tool with a cut-off wheel).  This is
how I modified a Clarostat pot to press into the Thrustmaster's
aluminum hub with the proper friction.

I'd rather go to this much expense and trouble than keep replacing the
"free" pots that thrustmater provides.  Thrustmaster does have
excellent customer service.  It's too bad they do not offer a premium
quality potentiometer as either OE or as an upgrade.

PSST! , Hey THRUSTMASTER.  Clarostat, ceramic, sealed, etc.!

--
Best Wishes!!!
Robert Huggins
Raleigh, NC

Patience grass-hopper... :-)

---Jim