[TenTec] Encoder shaft stability

[james.viars at comcast.net]

Sounds good. All the dial shafts of my Jupiter have some sort of flex to them: VFO, xit/rit, multi, etc... 



I have tried a few different things to keep out the wobble, but to no avail. The most annoying thing is that the tension on each smaller dial is different. Actually, the PBT dial SQUEEKS!! 





James 

N4EGA 




----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Phil Chambley Sr." <k4dpk at comcast.net> 
To: tentec at contesting.com 
Sent: Tuesday, April 13, 2010 7:23:53 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern 
Subject: [TenTec] Encoder shaft stability 

I've been toying with an idea and would appreciate input from the group. 

  

Haven't had any experience with the Orions yet, but every on other T/T rig with an encoder, I've seen varying amounts of encoder shaft wobble.  If you lift up on the front of the knob, it'll move noticeably and irritatingly (at least to me). 

  

The reason for this is T/T relies on the encoder bushing alone to serve as the only bearing surface, and that single-point bearing allows lateral "wiggle".   I think we can give the encoder a two-point support with just a minimum amount of effort. 

  

What I have in mind is a circular piece of say, 1/16" Teflon sheet, about 1 ½" diameter, with a ¼" hole in the center.  Using a nibbler, cut out a bite every ¼" or so from inside of the hole so small "fingers" would be left to contact the shaft.  This would encircle and hold the shaft and still have only a minimum of surface contact area. 

  

Then attach the Teflon disc under the knob to the plastic bezel using pins or #2 machine screws.  The latter would be placed outside the track of the tension arrangement. 

  

Comments please??  Better idea anyone? 

  

Phil C. Sr. 

k4dpk 
_______________________________________________ 
TenTec mailing list 
TenTec at contesting.com 
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/tentec