Ok, so I'm hoping to build some radios and other goodies and obviously I need a way to dial in frequencies and such.I'm using the IOCards system and currently have a Master card and the USB Expansion. These have been great so far with my first couple of projects, an annunciator panel and a switch panel.Anyway, I found this rotary encoder at Mouser:http://www.mouser.com/search/ProductDetail...PEC11-4220F-S12Here's a direct link to the data sheet:http://www.bourns.com/pdfs/PEC11.pdfHowever, the data sheet covers the whole PEC11 range and I'm interested in only the PEC11-4220F-S0012l.My question is, can this rotary encoder be used directly connected to the IOCards Master card (without the Encoders card). I'm hoping that someone here who is familiar with the IOCards system and knows a bit more about rotary encoders can take a look at this for me and let me know.Right now, my thinking is that I can use this encoder to tune the left hand side of the frequency and, if the knob is pushed in, have it tune the right hand side of the decimal. That way I can get the whole frequency tuned with one, non-concentric encoder.Any help is appreciated! Thanks in advance!Brandon

Comparing the CTS-288 encoder with the one you found the only difference is the number of detents: 16 for the CTS and 24 for the PEC.Since it's a 2 bit encoder of type grey I think it may work but I don't have a direct experience with that specific encoder so I'm not sure 100% because of the detents difference.I think you should ask it directly at the Opencockpits forum where I'm sure someone will answer.Regards,Bob

Thanks for the response!That's sort of what I was thinking. As for posting on the OpenCockpits forum, I had actually meant to do that last night, but I forgot! I'll do that...Brandon

Anybody else? This seems to be a recurring problem for me. The IOCards system is fantastic, but finding parts to use with it can be difficult, in part due to the language barrier and in part due to limited documentation.And, of course, due to me lacking experience with encoders, etc... :-/Anyway, I'm still looking for definitive information on the suitability of this encoder. I'm building my modules on a super tight budget and can't afford to buy parts I can't use. LOL!

I'm certain that grey-code may not work for most interface circuits. (I could be wrong, but the 'standard' is a 2-phase quadrature output.)They can be found on the cheap here:http://www.switchchannel.com/products/encoder/re11/index.htmLook for PN#: RE11CT-V1Y12-EF2CSRaywww.EllieSystems.com

>I'm certain that grey-code may not work for most interface>circuits. (I could be wrong, but the 'standard' is a 2-phase>quadrature output.)Hi,I think you are wrong because for Open Cockpits IO Cards ONLY grey-code rotaries can be used. These types can be connected directly to two consecutive inputs of the Master Card. Be aware also of this condition: only one of the two bits may and should change per detent (which is called in the industry: 1/4 cycle per detent). Nicohttp://www.nicokaan.nl

A 2-bit grey-code is equivalent to a 2-phase quadrature output.Mikewww.mikesflightdeck.comwww.mikesflightdeckbooks.com

Wow! Three replies from three members of the community who I respect highly, all within a couple of hours time!Thanks for the responses guys. I think I might get one of these from Mouser and give it a shot. If it doesn't work directly with the Master card, I can always try it with the Encoders card. I'll need to get one of them eventually anyway...Thanks again!BrandonPS: Ray, drop me a line sometime!

...learn something new every day.I had always been under the impression that Gray code <> (or !=) to Quadrature output. An interesting article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gray_codeChanged Gray Code from != to == Quadrature....Recompiled and everything works fine now :-)

LOL! That's pretty good... I see you've kept with the programming stuff. Good on ya! I haven't written a line of code in months... :(

Hi Brandon: I tested this encoders (or similar, I don

Thank you!I'll keep looking for something more suitable then. Thanks for your help!Brandon