Calling all Cougars

[TX-Zen]

I'm also going by the hardware store tonight to see about springs etc for this mod: (which looks to be actually remotely possible with my limited mechanical skills)TX-ZenBlack 6

[TX-Chukar]

Zen, isn't that do-hicky thing in the center of the gimble something that would have to be machined?Thanks Deck, I definitely will need a few.TX-ChukarBlue 1

[TX-Deck]

I finally located a distributor for the stock CTS potentiometers.CTS Series 251#251B15F254B6N13-4 week lead timeLot of 60 resulted in individual pricing of $5.35 each.    The entire batch would run us $321.   Little pricey for my wallet, I need to know who needs these, and how many.   I will see if they can produce a smaller quantity, and what the price difference will be.   I suspect that in smaller numbers, the price per part will go up by a small percentage.Please respond ASAP if interested, and how many you would like.  Personally I'm going to get at least 6 of them.Thanks,TX-Deck out.

[TX-Chukar]

6 sounds about right for me too.TX-ChukarBlue 1

[TX-Deck]

*bump*TX-Deck out.

[TX-Zen]

Pencil me in for 6 manfordTX-ZenBlack 6

[TX-Deck]

Ok folks, here is the latest on this situation.    Different from what was originally planned, but I'm really liking the results so far.For several reasons, I ditched the idea of ordering replacement stock CTS pots.    $6 a piece, and only in quantities above 50, with 4-6 week lead time.  All that to replace a part that is known to prematurely fail within a certain amount of time.  For me this was undesirable.Here is what I came up with instead.   A little bit of inspiration from one of the latest HALL sensor mods out on Cougarworld.com, a couple hours running errands and procuring parts, and another couple hours of labor and WE ARE BACK IN BIZNESS FOLKS!Supplies:1  - 100K Potentiometer (brand name unknown) $1.492  - Ball-link connectors (Dubro)  $3.001" - threaded 4-40 rod (Dubro)  $0.101  - 90 degree flange of metal (scrap) $0.002  - 3 pin Molex plastic wire connectors  $1.50Pictures:  (large to show detail)Stock setup with defective potentiometer, wires cut...New el cheapo potentiometer in place, wiring installed and metal bracket epoxied on to top of housing...Throttle assembly back in place, ball links installed and everything nice and neat...Top view of above...So basically all this was done for around $7.00.Please let me know if anyone else is interested.    I'll do the labor with no charge for TX members, pay for parts and shipping only.   Everyone else I'm going to charge out the wazoo.  The coolest thing about this...  when it comes time to upgrade to HALL sensors, all that has to be done is to swap them out for the existing potentiometer.   Even if the existing replacement fails within a few days, months, or later down the road... $1.50 and a repair can be made very easily.I flew with the repair tonight, and noticed NO adverse performance, although it did take a little while and some tweaking to get my system to recognize the full range of the new pot.   When I first plugged it in, I could only get a throttle range of 38% to 60%, and I was really worried it wasn't going to work.   Some fiddling here, some adjusting there, and I was able to get the full range working.   I'm pretty fired up right now, simple long-term fix for the major downfall of the Cougar HOTAS.TX-Deck out.

[TX-FlightRisk]

Guys I have been watching this post since it was new.....almost anyway...I do alot of so called soldering and if I can price something out for you out here let me know and I will be glad to help. Also my best friend in the world is a machinist....so gimbless ....blah lol...no prob..... solid aluminum......you need something let me know and I will see if I can help.    maybe....Also Deck doesn't this mean it is no longer digital since a potentometer is analog? Not quite as fine which actually Sturmovik won't care...S~TX-FlightRisk Black 3

[TX-Rahman]

Actually it should still be digital even though it's a analog pot...  It's basicly what's in there already.  Just differences in resistance.....same with our digital recording console... Analog volume sliders (Well...motorized...move themselves but you know what I mean....)Manford:  You're a friggin jack of all trades... Engineering Foo!  When are you going to build be a cockpit??bloot..Regards,TX-Rahman"BLUE 2"

[TX-Deck]

Flightrisk, Rahman is correct, the stock pots are analog as well.   The HOTAS might convert the signal to a digital one, but starting with the pots the signals are still analog.I've actually had an optical joystick years ago, instead of analog pots, they were substituted with optical sensors, exactly what you would find for the X and Y axis in any standard wheel mouse.  Dust, grime, etc. was never a factor.   I must say, it was the smoothest on-screen action I've ever seen from a joystick.   The only problem, the joystick was literally $10 from Walmart, and basically decomposed under routine use.Rahman, still waiting on the plans for that cockpit, manford!TX-Deck out.

[TX-Rahman]

You serious??  If so... Rgr that!!  I had a place with some plans....will have to look the site up again.  My brother and father inlaws work with thick and thin sheet metal...could just give them dimension of the sheets  I need and they have all the bending / cutting machines to do it on...  Could lay thin plywood and then thin metal to form the outer skin....rivet city! Regards,TX-Rahman"BLUE 2"

[TX-Deck]

Geez man...We need to make sure we have some sort of checks and balances setup, or we might end up with a complete airframe!TX-Deck out.

[TX-EcoDragon]

It's ALive. . .ALIVE!!!!S!TX-EcoDragonBlack 1TX Squadron XO