If their pots are replaced with HALL sensors?

Let's just assume I get a joystick and replace its potentiometers with HALL sensors.
Will it work?

From the top of your head what do you think?

Thanks

Joysticks today use pots to vary a voltage between 0 and 5 volts.
So if your hallsensor outputs a variable voltage then it would work.
If the voltage is very low then you would have to use an amplifier.

Best is to lookup the datasheet of the sensor you're interested in and see how it works.

HALL sensor vary voltage between 0 an 5 volts too.

So you can do this, replace pots in any USB joystick with HALL sensor.
Sample of generic stick with HALL sensor as replace for pots:



But: "Drop in" HALL sensor - build like pots is expensive:
http://www.alliedelec.com/Search/ProductDetail.aspx?SKU=7530097&MPN=HRS100SSAB090

Sensor only, like Allegro A1302 is cheap - more cheap that a reasonable potentiometer.
Due this small dimensions ( 4x4mm) is PITA to assemble (plus neodymium magnets).

Is common MOD in forums of east of Europa, sample:
http://www.sukhoi.ru/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=66

The result is very positive.

If you have a stick whit bad pot, try replace with HALL, you will spend less than 10U$.

The majority of joysticks use a ~0,10U$ pot. The exception is CH Products.

If you are initiate in electronics, there a more advanced solution than HALL sensors, the MaRS circuit: http://www.gamehive.ru/images/stories/news/Gametrix/10_small.jpg

Sokol1

Thanks guys... That helped.

A good read: Julian's "book" of the HALL:

http://www.jpfiles.com/hardware/uni_stick.pdf

Sokol1

Sokol1, what is a MaRS circuit??

I'd like to know more.

Well, I don't know the electronics involved.

MaRS = acronym for magnetoresistor, is essentially a "tuning" HALL sensor circuit used by Russian guys as potentiometer/HALL sensor replacement.

The response curve of HALL sensor is not linear - is a sinuosity curve - see this pic from Mikesflightdeck.com:

http://www.mikesflightdeck.com/images/hslin.jpg

Due this you have limited useful linear reading area, around ~ 40 degrees.

Seems that MaRS circuit extends this linearity area.

Sample of DIY MaRS circuit - from AviaForum:

http://forum.sukhoi.ru/attachment.php?attachmentid=58771&d=1153128210

Seems that vkb-flightsimcontrols sold kits of MaRS, with integrated auto calibration feature.

I have not seen anything like MaRS - even with another name - in use outside the Russian community. Unfortunately, in my local market i don't found Philips KMZ41 chip to experiment with it.

Why I "advocate' the use of HALL sensor or MaRS in joysticks?
Because they are better than average of potentiometers used in joysticks.
And actually HALL are cheaper than a regular potentiometer.

The idea spread in flight simulation community that HALL sensor is expensive is due the first ones provided as replacements for HOTAS Cougar, borrowed from the automotive industry.

And before someone can say that the CH uses good potentiometers in they sticks.
Yes, they use (I have 8 of these pot's here ).

Would be beneficial to CH use HALL sensor in their sticks? I think not.

But what about the anothers manufacturers who produce in China?
They would put ~U$ 5,00 potentiometers in their sticks?
No, so hopefully everybody change to HALL or MaRS.
What seems to be a tendency, see last release from Saitek, Logitech, Thrustmaster.


Sokol1

Thanks for the circuit diagram Sokol. I followed the links and spent some time in Google translate, since my time in Black Shark hasn't taught me much Russian:), and got the basic idea of the MaRS. I think I could build one without too much trouble. Were there any other instructions that went along with the schematic?

It baffles me how Sokol1 comes up with all this stuff.
Where does he have the time to look this all up? Especially on Russian sites!
Thanks Sokol1

I replaced the X/Y pots of my Cougar with hall sensors from a X52 -> It works very nicely.