Replacement of Potentiometer in Saitek Throttle Quadrant

[FishDoctor]

Yeah, title says it all...is it possible to replace them with some better ones? Because mine are shaking hard and the quadrant is the heart of my DIY-Collective...

And if its possible, what should I take care of?

[Johnny Dioxin]

Unfortunately not. I tried for a long time, before giving up.

 

The ones Saitek use are made specifically for their throttle quadrant and are not good quality. You can use WD40 or the like for a while, but each time it lasts for less long before it needs doing again.

 

I ditched mine after 4 years and made my own controls instead.

 

It isn't just Saitek that uses low quality components, though. Logitech did the same with their very expensive G940.

 

Don't quite understand the "shaking hard" bit though?

Edited November 5, 2015 by Brixmis

[FishDoctor]

All three axis are shaking the whole time. Using as a throttle is nearly impossible, because of missing precission and some planes doesn't really like, if you are shaking at the throttle that way.

Its the same problem with my saitek pedals...those I send back to saitek last week, reaction unclear...

I read about saitek and shaking axis looks like a widespread problem.

[1.JaVA_Platypus]

Try opening up the pot-meter and slightly de-grease it with a soft cloth and contact spray. Or just spray a bit inside the pot-meter. It helped me with the spiking of my saitek pots. It is like lubricant, specificaly made for electrical connections. NOT WD40.

 

[FishDoctor]

Alright, I'll try this the next days, I hope it will work. Nothing than problems with saitek...

Thank you guys!

[Johnny Dioxin]

People keep harping on about not using WD40 - I'm a radio technician (my first trade) since 1983 and I have always used it and never had any issues at all because of it. I also used it many times to clean up vintage amateur radio gear.

 

Have yet to see any concrete proof that it's bad for electrical contacts, too.

 

Use what you like, though - just saying :)

[Sokol1_br]

is it possible to replace them with some better ones?

 

The ones Saitek use are made specifically for their throttle quadrant and are not good quality.

 

Possible is (if the new pot fit, see bellow), the issue is the potentiometer used in joystick/throttle have the resistive trail done to be read in ~30/50 degrees (made under order) - to match the movement of joy grip or throttle lever.

 

Conventional pot' (the one that you find do buy in shops or online) have typically 270 degrees trail.

 

Using this 270 degrees pot' you are not able to vary the voltage send for controller from 0 to 5, but ~1/3 or more, what result in lower resolution send by controller to games.

 

But if you install this pot' will work, the issue is:

If this Saitek throttle controller are 10 bits - 1.024 points, you now are able to reach only ~340 points due the less turn in pot, and thus low voltage variation (Well, still better than CH joy/throttles resolution = 8 bits, 256 points). :D

 

Other issue is the pot physical size: you need the same size to fit in place of the old, the same diameter on axis, same length and same position of D recess (if used)... to replace the old without adaptations.

 

Anyway look at AliExpress, are a good choice that you find there pot' made specifically for joysticks, since this is all China made.

 

Or maybe the solution came from disassembling one these PS-3 replacement mini-stick, they use the same kind of 30/40 degress pot' and at least visually they look like the "ell cheapo" used be Saitek... :D

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Replacement-Thumbstick-Analog-Stick-Joystick-For-Playstation-3-PS3-Controller-/221823990263?hash=item33a5bd79f7:g:ClwAAOSwPcVVoGo-

 

Each came with 2 pot's.

Edited November 6, 2015 by Sokol1_br

[Johnny Dioxin]

Finding one the right size to fit is the big issue here - I and many others (I spent a very long time searching the internet and kept finding the same situation) have been unable to source one that will even fit, let alone have the required electrical properties.

 

I think this may have been a deliberate move by Saitek - and is normal in business today.

 

Make something that requires the unit to be repaired or serviced in the company workshops - therefore increasing profits. Either that or make it so that the item must be repurchased when it fails.

 

Morally corrupt, but it's the unfortunate way of things these days.

 

If you do happen to find one that will fit - do let us know so we can spread the word ;)

[Sokol1_br]

AliExpress 30 degress rotation 5k linear pot for R/C controller (electrically is the same type of joysticks).

 

http://pt.aliexpress.com/item/B5K-5K-Linear-Taper-Potentiometer-for-RC-Transmitter-Control-30-Degree-Rotation/1717572762.html?spm=2114.02020208.3.2.On8hyw&ws_ab_test=searchweb201556_2_79_78_77_91_80,searchweb201644_5,searchweb201560_9

 

Since this pot has different size, install in other place and use R/C ball link connections to turn the pot', like in this TQS mod.

 

 

No details:

 

http://pt.aliexpress.com/item/Japan-NOBLE-model-aircraft-remote-control-joystick-with-precision-potentiometer-5K-axis-length-10MM-XV09411N1OFF/32371135263.html?spm=2114.02020208.3.84.JQaKbS&ws_ab_test=searchweb201556_2_79_78_77_91_80,searchweb201644_5,searchweb201560_9

 

Aternative - if are space between the levers to fit - remake the pot' with magnet and HALL sensor, is cheap (1$ magnet, 2/3$ sensor):

 

http://simhq.com/forum/files/usergals/2015/03/full-37484-99346-dscf5843.jpg

http://simhq.com/forum/files/usergals/2015/03/full-37484-99348-dscf5847.jpg

http://simhq.com/forum/files/usergals/2015/03/full-37484-99349-dscf5850.jpg

Edited November 6, 2015 by Sokol1_br

[Econ]

http://www.polyshine.cn/Type_37.html

[Sokol1_br]

This Polyshine had the limited electric angle needed:

 

print screen windows xp

 

Loot at models F10KV and FM10K.

 

The question is, where buy - in less than 1000 pieces? :D

Edited September 17, 2018 by Sokol1_br

[Johnny Dioxin]

That's good - thanks for finding (and sharing).

 

As for 100 pieces - well just find 333 quadrant owners (plus yourself makes the extra 1) and you have enough! :D

[Econ]

May be this http://www.ebay.com/itm/1pc-JoyStick-Breakout-Module-Shield-PS2-Joystick-Game-Controller-Fr-Arduino-OT8G-/331572757305?hash=item4d3346c339:g:JcQAAOSweW5Vbj~Z

[Sokol1_br]

There they replace the Saitek Quadrant pot' with HALL sensor:

 

http://virtualni-obchod.webnode.cz/products/repase-saitek-throttle-quadrant-hall-senzory/

[1.JaVA_Platypus]

People keep harping on about not using WD40 - I'm a radio technician (my first trade) since 1983 and I have always used it and never had any issues at all because of it. I also used it many times to clean up vintage amateur radio gear.

 

Have yet to see any concrete proof that it's bad for electrical contacts, too.

 

Use what you like, though - just saying :)

 

I got some bad experience with it. But well... It was a long time ago, I don't remember any specifics.

[tomahawk66]

Hi everyone,

 

Great information in this thread! I am also considering replacing the worn-out spiking trim pots on my Saitek throttle quadrant.

 

However I wonder if someone could please clarify a couple of things for me.

(1) When I inspect the rotation angle of the lever, it is about 85 degrees, about 80 degrees of rotation in the potentiometer range and about 5 degrees in the detent (switch) range.

However, in post #7, Sokol1_br writes of a resistive trail of 30 deg to 50 deg. Which is it?

(2) The pot when inserted in the Saitek quad behaves as if it has a switch in the detent at the lower extreme. How is this achieved practically? Is it done via the firmware flashed to the controller? Note that the potentiometer itself does not have a switch at either extreme.

 

Thank you!

 

Chakko.

Edited April 25, 2016 by tomahawk66

[Sokol1_br]

Just a guess, Saitek firmware can use specific value at end or start of pot' reading, e.g. 0 or 3,2 volts to activate the button.

 

With a multimeter you can measure the actual potentiometer and evaluate his real "electric effective range". Use the resistance scale.

[TripleSeven]

Hello,

You might found those pots around Arduinos parts (joysticks) and PS4 joystick replacement. Found some on AliExpress

[EagleA25]

So, any news or tips on this subject?

I'm still looking for a throttle pot replacement option, preferably a Hall Option

Edited October 11, 2019 by EagleA25

[Sokol1_br]

Nope, looks like that since Saitek's are "disposable" no one care in find a replacement solution for their "so, so" pot's. :)

 

One by one replacement a Hall is not available, but you can DIY a solution, probable need operate with linkage (like R/C) since levers is very close.

 

Anyway talk to Rel4y, he are able to make one: https://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=220916

Edited October 13, 2019 by Sokol1_br

[ApoNOOB]

I started to clean mine, and now its just laying around here in parts... For weeks! =(

This is not really fun to work with and if I have to redo this often... Should I just throw them in the trash? Been using them for not much needed axis, like nozzles on harrier, rotor brake in helicopters etc. but not really sure if it is worth the trouble.

[Sergey_Pe]

Well, it's an old thread but there are not so many specific recommendations on flight simulation forums. This is what I did:

https://www.avsim.com/forums/topic/572674-saitek-throttle-quadrant-potentiometers-replacements/?do=findComment&comment=4271278

[Rick50]

Hmm, was hoping for a better outcom on this.

 

Kinda makes me wonder about the market for a long-lasting precise competitor to this... maybe using Hall or Magneto Resistive sensors instead of cheap pots?

 

 

Edit:

Hmm, that thread Sergey_Pe posted from Avsim, do I understand it that the last poster there used the pots from a gamepad joystick, successfully??! And that it was cheap, and very much longer lasting, possibly better quality pot, like a CH or Thrustmaster pot ?

 

Seems like the results aren't yet certain, if I understand it was just tried this weekend... but this is potentiometrically good news!

Edited July 20, 2020 by Rick50

[Sergey_Pe]

Not in this price range for sure. However, Thrustmaster is offering an Airbus 2-engine throttle control unit with magnetoresistors for the price which is still reasonable.

Edited July 20, 2020 by Sergey_Pe

[Rick50]

Sergey, is it you in the Avsim thread describing you replacing the pots yourself?