All,

After nearly two decades of sterling service, the pots in my PFC Max yoke have reached the end. I was able to easily replace the rotary pot for roll but a linear pot replacement for pitch is proving difficult. The original pot was an Alpha B100K with 100mm travel. There are similar models around but the dimensions don't work out.

I contacted Precision Flight who told me that that specific pot was no longer manufactured. However, they did say that since the pot was dual-gang (and was only used single gang by the yoke) I could change the pick up to use the other track. This I have done and, using a meter, I can tell its working fine.

However, there is a problem. I need to solder onto the new tracks. I've tried soldering directly onto the track terminals but that doesn't work. I need some solder lugs or other mechanism to contact with the terminal ends of the tracks. I can see the existing terminal solder lugs are riveted/crimped.

I'm a moron when it comes to electronics. Is there anyone out there that can recommend a solution?

I attach a couple of pictures. The first is a view of the pot overall. The worm out track is uppermost.

 

The PCB terminals I need to connect too are on the left. The holes are 2 mm wide.

 

I would be grateful for any assistance. I would love covert this yoke to use HE sensors but I have not idea how this can be down - especially given a long travel distance for pitch.

Regards

Rick

Can you not just use a 2mm machine screw and nut through each of the holes? You could use this to attach a tag or just solder your wires onto the screw.

@MarkDH Thanks for your reply. Yes - I've pencilled in that as my fallback position. However, being an word not allowed with all things electronic, I was conscious that there may be an elegant solution that I would be unaware of. 

But perhaps M2 screws and nuts are the way to go.

Just looking at the 2 terminals,  I can't see a reason why you could not solder directly to them.  Cleanliness is the key!  Maybe try rubbing gently with a fine emery board until they shine brightly, then solder.  Tin the wires to be soldered and try adding solder first to the 2 terminals and if it sticks, then lay the wire in place and add heat.  Keep your iron tip very clean....wipe on a paper towel or cloth, apply a little solder to the tip and then place the iron tip on the wire and melt everything together.  Use a toothbrush and alcohol on the joint afterwards to clean it up!

@charliearon Thanks. I will try that as you recommend. I was worried I may damage the PCB. I tried twice before but I'll try using emery paper this time.

Thanks

R

13 minutes ago, Tensim said:

@charliearon Thanks. I will try that as you recommend. I was worried I may damage the PCB. I tried twice before but I'll try using emery paper this time.

Thanks

R

Good luck!  I have always found that solder will not stick to a non-clean surface. 🙂  Images are of a clean vs dirty solder joint.

 

From looking at the pic, I think you'd need a fairly high-wattage soldering iron/gun to heat those contacts up enough to get a good solder joint.

I'd go with MarkDH's recommendation to put a small screw through the holes.  I'd use a spade connector on the end of the wires inserted under the nut on the back side to keep from fouling the slider.  Make sure both contact and connector are clean.  A tight mechanical connection should last just fine given that it's inside an enclosure.

Many thanks @w6kd - I am leaning towards the screw/nut solution.

5 hours ago, Tensim said:

I would love covert this yoke to use HE sensors but I have not idea how this can be down - especially given a long travel distance for pitch.

Seriously though, if you get another 20 years out of that pot you can think about HE in 2041 😎

@MarkDH Thats my thinking! Although I will be 82 at that point and will probably need a bit of soldering myself.

Just now, Tensim said:

@MarkDH Thats my thinking! Although I will be 82 at that point and will probably need a bit of soldering myself.

My old man always used bailing wire!  That fixed anything and everything!