Saitek Throttle Quadrants Not Lasting Long!

[Goatman24]

It's a shame the quality of the potentiometers in the Saitek Throttle Quadrants don't seem to last very long. I was just on their website and it seems to be a huge problem for people including myself.

Problems include spiking to just not working or working erratically.

Looks like I'll be looking for a better set for future use.

I wonder if anyone has been able to replace the faulty potentiometers with a better quality set.

Mitch

[gandy]

well i took mine apart to clean them servisol super 10

Saitek are the cheapness in cheap for what they can do for $1 they will charge you $50 or $60.. is a nice mark up

[Goatman24]

Did cleaning them make them work again?

It's a shame because Saitek has a good look and feel to their stuff.

[davemead]

I don't have a throttle quadrant, but I do have a normal Saitek joystick with a throttle which gives me the same issues.

[gandy]

Did cleaning them make them work again?

Yep it worked for me

[fxsttcb]

....I wonder if anyone has been able to replace the faulty potentiometers with a better quality set.

I don't have the Saitek, but, have been in Instrumentation/Electronics for 40yrs. If the potentiometers are not of the unmarked proprietary variety, and have a mfg part number, places like DigiKey and Newark Electronics may be able to match them with a Bournes, Vishay or other respected brand. You can dimension them yourself and browse catalogs for exact replacements also. You might even get lucky and find a logarithmic replacement(I use them for RC controls)...Don

[Goatman24]

Thanks Don, I'm going to try the easy fix first and try to clean them with Contact Cleaner. I'll try to post my results.


Mitch

[jcmmg]

A basic question:

Do I need to dismantle the whole quadrant to do it?

[noell]

Yep. Here's a link with more info and some pix.

[jcmmg]

Excellent link!!!

Thanks Noell!!