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Looking for good rotary switch sources, 3 pos and 2 pos switchers, and rotary encoder


robains

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I'm seeking some sourcing help for:

 

rotary switches (3-7 position)

rotary encoders

Switch 3 pos

Switch 3 pos momentary

Switch 2 pos

Knobs and buttons

 

I'll be using Arduino Mega:

https://www.mouser.com/new/arduino/arduino-mega2560/

 

And/Or Arduino Uno

https://www.mouser.com/new/arduino/arduino-uno/

 

I was going to source the rotary switches from Mouser (C&K) but they are too expensive at $7.60 (trying to stay US based sources due to availability and shipping) but "external" sources are considerably less expensive.

 

I'll be making my own panels (Acrylic based) using a 60W laser cutter engraver and setup for no bleed back panel lighting and dimmer control. Still in the process of deciding which laser cutter/engraver to buy. But on the electronic component side I'm somewhat sticker shocked at the prices and even getting Boeing style knobs ($9 each!) would severely reduce my market potential.

 

I looking into 3D printers for doing my own knobs but that's an entirely different arena and to get high quality knobs with a 3D printers seems unobtainable ... perhaps with a CNC machine but that also increase tooling costs beyond return on investment.

 

Thoughts?

 

Cheers, Rob.

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"Return on investment" - Are you planning to sell the sets for profit?

 

I ask because in the first paragraphs you seem to be building for yourself only. And if it's just for you then 9§ for a good switch that works every time for years seems a steal.:D

Edited by il88pp
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I'm slowly finding my sources ... yes, my design, my circuits, my assembly/soldering, my laser cut panels with back lighting ... that I want to sell to the public.

 

I was able to find the some parts elsewhere with the same level of quality for about 1/3rd the price wholesale. FYI -- $9 was just for the knob, that does NOT include to rotary encoder and/or switch. So $16.60 for just one rotary encoder/switch ... add 6 of these, laser cut panels, backlighting, circuits, dimmers, various other switches and buttons etc. ...

 

To be honest, I didn't really expect anyone to provide "sources" but thought I'd give it a shot. Sources are a closely guarded commodity for those building to sell.

 

Cheers, Rob.

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Cool. Nice of you to try and keep down costs for future customers.:D:cool:

I actually regretted my post a little after sending. It sounded like criticism and I did not intend that. I also realised I couldn't be much help. I never did any parts building. And also don't know components sources.

If I did I would of course have shared that info.

Wish you success on the designing and building.:cool: Happy Flights!:pilot:

il.

Edited by il88pp
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  • 3 weeks later...

I made Truck simulator boxes. They were easy to build except for the wiring. Wow was that a lot of wiring and soldering. I thought about having a wire harness made but never wound up doing that. I never went full commercial just made a box for about 20 dollars in parts that was about the same as the 250 dollar variant.

 

Here is the rotary encoders I used. I LOVE these.

 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07MW7D4FD/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

less than a dollar each. was awesome. They have held up 2 years NO problems.

 

for pushbuttons these were good

 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07BD1MS18/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

this is the arduino I based it off of

 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MTU9GOB/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

 

This was the push pull I used for parking brakes

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07GGR7HYS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

This was worth the expense too. I dont know if you can use it for flight simming but I know youare thinking how did you get a toggle to report properly? That was some coding I can show you. (I have NO desire to do this commercially but I can give you some assistance to save time. I wish someone had for me. It was sort of a pain in the posterior)

 

I also used these for lights and such. Probably not good for flight sim but worked for my application. Those brand names made those switches really well. I returned a bunch to get to those. If they felt sloppy or any failed out of the box the WHOLE batch went back.

 

All of those were finalists in the switch game.

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