Bob,

Digital joysticks (i.e. ones with switches vs pots) are quite plentiful and
come in all flavors here are links to a couple:
http://www.buildyouridea.com/order.html (The base on this one is about 3
inches square)
http://www.goldmine-elec-products.com/prodinfo.asp?number=G14071&variation=&
aitem=1&mitem=2 (This one is tiny - about 1/2 inch square).

The problem isn't finding the joystick, it's finding one with a high current
rating (high enough to run the motors)  The upper joystick is rated at
around 0.1 amp and the lower one at just 10 milliamps!  The most practical
way to get around this is to use auxiliary (darlington)transistors or relays
(depending if you're an electrician or an electronics person) to control the
motors and reduce the current requirement of the switches.

Another approach is to get a joystick that uses microswitches (the first one
above does) and change the switches out with higher current switches, since
microswitches rated at 10 amps are made in the same form-factor as the lower
rated units.  The trouble is that you have to find switches that have the
same actuator style, and if you have to buy them new they can cost you an
arm and a leg.

Bill

-----Original Message-----
From: piclist-bounces@mit.edu [mailto:piclist-bounces@mit.edu]On Behalf
Of R. I. Nelson
Sent: Sunday, May 01, 2005 4:16 PM
To: Microcontroller discussion list - Public.
Subject: [OT] Trying to find special joystick.



I have a remote control spot/flood light (12 Volt)  That I need to
control.  It has 2 12V motors one for elevation and one for left and
right.  They just reverse the motor direction to change direction of travel.
They make a joy stick type control for this but they are rather
expensive. $90US or more  one is $165US.   I now control it with 2 DPDT
spring loaded center off toggle switches but would really like to get it
down to one joy stick type control.

Any one have an idea of where to find something that will work.

Bob

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