Hello All,

I'm making a small Pong clone in hardware and purchased a few 10K pots for the paddle controls.
They, unfortunately are a bit stiff to turn quickly, I think it's the friction of the wiper inside.

Does anyone have a favorite for a rather "light friction" rotary encoder that would give me some good precision?
[EDIT] I'm thinking I might need more granularity than say 22 degree increments. (More than 16 positions)

A lot of people make little proofs of concept with Arduino games but I want something that is smooth feeling and really a long term game.
I think the controls should be very close to perfect.

Thanks!

 

That's a lot ob bits / rev., 5760. I've heard of an optical pot.

 

That's a lot ob bits / rev., 5760. I've heard of an optical pot.

Sorry, I realized I had a typo there.
I need more than 16 positions. That's a BIG difference.

 

So, this is somewhat tangential but very interesting. Here's a paper on the original pong machine, and you can find the "bat data" circuit documented in it.

http://www.pong-story.com/LAWN_TENNIS.pdf

Here's the kind of pot you need, one designed as a position control: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Noble-B100...-Transmitter-225-Degree-Rotation/262955696422

 

They, unfortunately are a bit stiff to turn quickly, I think it's the friction of the wiper inside.

In my experience the turn load is not due to wiper friction, but rather the heavy lubricant between the shaft and bush. I've loosened pots up by disassembly and relubricating with a lighter grease.

 

Try looking at " low torque potentiometers " like novotechnik P2200

 

Why not using a cheap and good rotary encoder of €30from Yumo type A6A2 for your application?See aaatched specs