robains Posted August 4, 2020 Share Posted August 4, 2020 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. http://www.simhorizon.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
il88pp Posted August 8, 2020 Share Posted August 8, 2020 (edited) "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 August 8, 2020 by il88pp [sIGPIC][/sIGPIC] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robains Posted August 9, 2020 Author Share Posted August 9, 2020 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. http://www.simhorizon.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
il88pp Posted August 9, 2020 Share Posted August 9, 2020 (edited) 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 August 9, 2020 by il88pp [sIGPIC][/sIGPIC] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dante2k Posted August 25, 2020 Share Posted August 25, 2020 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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