9mm pots

[ruffrecords]

I am trying to complete the front panel layout for the new 3U version of my 3 Band Pultec EQ for the Lunchbox. I have attached a pdf of the layout as it is now. On the left hand side you can see the three Grayhill switches for setting the frequency in each of the 3 bands. These are spaed one inch apart. I managed to find room to squeeze in the EQ in/out switch beneath these three. It is the seven controls on the right hand side that are proving the problem. There are 6 pots and one switch. I was originally using 16mm Alpha pots with solder lugs for the prototype but even staggered, the distance between the pot centres is only 15mm. I might be able to squeeze an axtra mm but this ignores the solder lugs themselves which stick out several mm.

So I have decided it would make sense to use 9mm pots. I have  looked at ALPS and Vishay but they only seem to have a limited range of values.. The values I need are 47K LOG, 47K LIN, 4K7 LOG, 470K LOG and 10K LIN- I know that is only five values but two pots are the same value. I have no problem using 50K , 5K and 500K if that is all that is available.

Any suggestions?

Cheers

Ian

 

[moamps]

At Banzai you can find all values you need  in Alpha 7 and 9mm range.

 

[ruffrecords]

At Banzai you can find all values you need  in Alpha 7 and 9mm range.

I keep forgetting about Banzai - great shop. I found all I needed in the 9mm vertical mounting Alpha pots range. This means I could easily do a little PCB to mount these pots on. Just placed an order.

Many Thanks

Ian

 

[midwayfair]

Smallbear here in the states carries an extremely wide range of 9mm pots, including board-mounted external trimmers, which are super useful for those controls you never touch except when you have to (e.g. input impedance).

Also, several people think that the 9mm pots are actually better than the 16mm ones. The rotation tension feels better to me.

 

[Bo Deadly]

Mammoth Electronics has them but they're vertical mount:
http://www.mammothelectronics.com/Alpha-Potentiometer-p/209-100-a.htm

 

[Brian Roth]

And then there are these pots:

http://www.bitechnologies.com/products/panel_pots_sg.htm

Mouser stocks various versions, and I know that CAPI ordered/stocks some versions including ones with concentric shafts.

http://capi-gear.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=50_131


Bri

 

[thermionic]

Note that the ALPS 9mm really don't like being anywhere warm. The track lubricant dries out and they get scratchy in no time at all. I say this because I've had to change them in a design that has a variety of pots, but the 9mm are the only ones to go. I've seen them in items that don't get too warm and they last longer. Not sure it's the lube - more likely the design isn't sealed too well. On the whole ALPS tend to have superb durability.

 

[ruffrecords]

And then there are these pots:

http://www.bitechnologies.com/products/panel_pots_sg.htm

Mouser stocks various versions, and I know that CAPI ordered/stocks some versions including ones with concentric shafts.

http://capi-gear.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=50_131


Bri

Thanks Bri; that site also has a useful competitor cross reference and a handy search facility that let's you know which distributor stocks an item.

Cheers

Ian

 

[john12ax7]

For future reference here are some series of 9mm pot options,:

Bourns PTD90
BI P09
Alps RK097
Vishay P9 (pricey)

Some values of each are available at Mouser and Digikey

 

[ruffrecords]

I found a company in the UK that supplies them:

https://www.thonk.co.uk/shop/alpha-9mm-pots/

Not such a wide range as Banzai but comparable prices.

Cheers

Ian

 

[mutterd]

For that form factor i really like RV6 style pots - Allen Bradly and Clarostat and made them so they are often available in surplus...

I have used the PEC ones a lot lately and they have a great feel, and (so far) excellent reliability.

http://www.precisionelectronics.com/0-40a-060a.html

PEC in general are very expensive new, but are all around the surplus houses with a little searching...

 

[ruffrecords]

I also found BitsBox in the UK do a small range of them too:

http://www.bitsbox.co.uk/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=94_325

Cheers

Ian

 

[ruffrecords]

If anyone is interested I have found the drawing for the 9mm Alpha pots, both vertical and horizontal styles here:

https://www.thonk.co.uk/documents/alpha/9mm/

Cheers

Ian

 

[ruffrecords]

I just received my order from Banzai. Although all the pots are supposed to have 6.3mm shafts according to the web site, in fact only the 47K LOG and LIN pots I ordered are this diameter. All the others are 6mm I have asked Banzai about this but so far no response. Anyone else had this issue?

Cheers

ian