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Moving pot box by hand?

1230 Views 4 Replies 4 Participants Last post by  JRP3
Is there any reason a pot box couldn't be moved by hand?

The reason I ask is I'm using joysticks and linear actuators to control my buggy, but want to keep it simple. If I can work the pot box with my hand it will mean one less function for the joystick.
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Is there any reason a pot box couldn't be moved by hand?
Hi Tinodesis,

I can think of no reason. In fact I have done it a number of times, but not for a permanent installation. I put a lot of miles on a bus where one pot box was the throttle and another pot box was the regen. Like nothing for my foot to do :) Anyway, you might want to put a more comfortable handle on it.

Regards,

major
Hi Tinodesis,

I can think of no reason. In fact I have done it a number of times, but not for a permanent installation. I put a lot of miles on a bus where one pot box was the throttle and another pot box was the regen. Like nothing for my foot to do :) Anyway, you might want to put a more comfortable handle on it.

Regards,

major
Thanks, major. I thought it be ok, but wanted to ask first.

I will be using a custom handle on the box.

T
The first few attempts at driving my electric tractor was with a hand held linear slider as a pot. I just gripped it loosely in my fist and moved the slider with my thumb. Really easy to drive like that steering with the other hand.

Even after I fitted a throttle pedal I kept the slider pot on a curly lead as a way of remote driving the tractor in and out of the trailer.

I also found that the 5k pot in the throttle pedal left a dead area at the begining of the travel so I reworked it to a 4.7k and I now have instant power without the dead area of pedal travel. You might find the same thing with hand controlling the throttle pot that it would be easier if there is no, or less, dead area in the initial movement.

The Curtis controller allows a joystick control using a conventional joystick with a 20k pot for 'wigwag' control. The joystick would only need the addition of microswitches to provide forward and reverse in the same movement.
I use a scooter trigger throttle on the AMPhibian, works great, no need for a separate pot box or mechanical connection. Used it on my Fiero a few times for testing and when I had problems with the foot throttle.
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