Hello all.

At the present time I'm not trying to get it from the distributor, although
I may not have any choice.
Now, we're not dealing with the usual volume control (potentiometer) which
has 3 terminals (one connected to a wiper, and the others connected to each
end of a resistive track).
No, this damn "little critter" has 7 terminals and 2 mounting lugs (printed
circuit mounting).
It has a blue body measuring 16x15x5 millimetres.
Looking inside: the metal wiper assembly is attached to the plastic spindle,
and has 2 separate sections (one with 3 wipers, and the other with 2).
It looks as if there are 3 or 4 resistive tracks (it's difficult to be
precise without spending more time to observe them).
Has anyone seen or heard of such a volume control? Is it a proprietory (I'm
not sure of the spelling) or a standard part?
It's completely sealed, so I couldn't use my switch cleaner (which has
always worked for me).
Anyway, I've had to snip though the terminals and mounting lugs, as it's the
best way to deal with a "plated through" PCB.
Can anyone understand/explain the design theory behind this item, and/or
suggest source/s of supply?
P.S. I believe that the receiver is designed in the UK, but it's made in
China.
P.P.S. If it had been any other fault, I would have sent the radio to Pure
for repair (if such a repair was deemed economical). I have many radio
receivers.

Thanks in advance.

Sylvain.

On Sat, 26 Aug 2006 13:23:22 GMT, "Sylvain VAN DER WALDE"
wrote:

Hello all.

At the present time I'm not trying to get it from the distributor, although
I may not have any choice.
Now, we're not dealing with the usual volume control (potentiometer) which
has 3 terminals (one connected to a wiper, and the others connected to each
end of a resistive track).
No, this damn "little critter" has 7 terminals and 2 mounting lugs (printed
circuit mounting).

Has anyone seen or heard of such a volume control? Is it a proprietory (I'm
not sure of the spelling) or a standard part?

At work I once had an oscilloscope which developed a fault with a
switch/pot. I simply contacted the importers who gladly sent me a
replacement part foc, which I fitted myself.

The scope was still under warranty, but they didn't seem to mind me
"doing it myself".

Try to speak to Pure about a replacement.

--
Frank Erskine

"Sylvain VAN DER WALDE" wrote in message
...
Hello all.

At the present time I'm not trying to get it from the distributor,
although I may not have any choice.
Now, we're not dealing with the usual volume control (potentiometer) which
has 3 terminals (one connected to a wiper, and the others connected to
each end of a resistive track).
No, this damn "little critter" has 7 terminals and 2 mounting lugs
(printed circuit mounting).
It has a blue body measuring 16x15x5 millimetres.
Looking inside: the metal wiper assembly is attached to the plastic
spindle, and has 2 separate sections (one with 3 wipers, and the other
with 2).
It looks as if there are 3 or 4 resistive tracks (it's difficult to be
precise without spending more time to observe them).
Has anyone seen or heard of such a volume control? Is it a proprietory
(I'm not sure of the spelling) or a standard part?
It's completely sealed, so I couldn't use my switch cleaner (which has
always worked for me).
Anyway, I've had to snip though the terminals and mounting lugs, as it's
the best way to deal with a "plated through" PCB.
Can anyone understand/explain the design theory behind this item, and/or
suggest source/s of supply?
P.S. I believe that the receiver is designed in the UK, but it's made in
China.
P.P.S. If it had been any other fault, I would have sent the radio to Pure
for repair (if such a repair was deemed economical). I have many radio
receivers.

Thanks in advance.

Sylvain.

It sounds to me that the "resistive tracks" are in fact on/off contacts and
the device is in fact an "encoder disk"
The microprocessor looks at the state of the switches in real time and
can determine the direction and speed you are turning the knob and
adjust the volume accordingly.

Usually there is no need for a mechanical stop, as on a pot.

Does that make sense?
--

Graham.

%Profound_observation%

"Frank Erskine" wrote in message
...
On Sat, 26 Aug 2006 13:23:22 GMT, "Sylvain VAN DER WALDE"
wrote:

Hello all.

At the present time I'm not trying to get it from the distributor,
although
I may not have any choice.
Now, we're not dealing with the usual volume control (potentiometer) which
has 3 terminals (one connected to a wiper, and the others connected to
each
end of a resistive track).
No, this damn "little critter" has 7 terminals and 2 mounting lugs
(printed
circuit mounting).

Has anyone seen or heard of such a volume control? Is it a proprietory
(I'm
not sure of the spelling) or a standard part?

At work I once had an oscilloscope which developed a fault with a
switch/pot. I simply contacted the importers who gladly sent me a
replacement part foc, which I fitted myself.

The scope was still under warranty, but they didn't seem to mind me
"doing it myself".

Try to speak to Pure about a replacement.

Wow! That was quick!

I wonder how long ago that was? There is no doubt that spares for radios,
televisions, VCR's, etc.. were easy to get (via the "Television" (formerly
"Practical Television") mag. adverts, in the first instance.
But my understanding is that manufacturers eventually became very inflexible
in supplying spares, even to qualified repairers. They had their (limited)
group of distributors, and dealt only with them. I'm talking of TV spares in
particular, and that was already quite a few years ago.
Anyway, I do intend to do as you suggest, if I really have to.
P.S. I'm intrigued (spelling?) by the design of that component, and am keen
to get some replies on that.

Sylvain.

--
Frank Erskine

"Graham" wrote in message ...

"Sylvain VAN DER WALDE" wrote in message
...
Hello all.

At the present time I'm not trying to get it from the distributor,
although I may not have any choice.
Now, we're not dealing with the usual volume control (potentiometer)
which has 3 terminals (one connected to a wiper, and the others connected
to each end of a resistive track).
No, this damn "little critter" has 7 terminals and 2 mounting lugs
(printed circuit mounting).
It has a blue body measuring 16x15x5 millimetres.
Looking inside: the metal wiper assembly is attached to the plastic
spindle, and has 2 separate sections (one with 3 wipers, and the other
with 2).
It looks as if there are 3 or 4 resistive tracks (it's difficult to be
precise without spending more time to observe them).
Has anyone seen or heard of such a volume control? Is it a proprietory
(I'm not sure of the spelling) or a standard part?
It's completely sealed, so I couldn't use my switch cleaner (which has
always worked for me).
Anyway, I've had to snip though the terminals and mounting lugs, as it's
the best way to deal with a "plated through" PCB.
Can anyone understand/explain the design theory behind this item, and/or
suggest source/s of supply?
P.S. I believe that the receiver is designed in the UK, but it's made in
China.
P.P.S. If it had been any other fault, I would have sent the radio to
Pure for repair (if such a repair was deemed economical). I have many
radio receivers.

Thanks in advance.

Sylvain.

It sounds to me that the "resistive tracks" are in fact on/off contacts
and
the device is in fact an "encoder disk"
The microprocessor looks at the state of the switches in real time and
can determine the direction and speed you are turning the knob and
adjust the volume accordingly.

Usually there is no need for a mechanical stop, as on a pot.

Actually, there are stops on this one. If there had not been any, then I
would have known that this component was (as you describe above) an "encoder
disk".
Nevertheless, I believe that you may still be correct in your assumption.

Does that make sense?

Ha! Yes! I think that we may be getting somewhere. I know only a little
about such things, but enough to believe that you are on the right track (I
believe that my communications receiver has a _rotary frequency control_
that works on that principle, and has no stops).
Let me tell you why I wanted this "volume control" changed: On that radio,
the volume goes up _immediately and rapidly_
as you rotate the knob. The fault is, that at the _very start_ of rotation
the volume control works intermittently, making it difficult to get an
acceptably low but adequate sound output (at night time). At the usual
daytime sound levels, the volume control works OK.
If you have any further remarks about this, I will be pleased to hear them.

Sylvain.

--

Graham.

%Profound_observation%

Looks like ebay is your friend tonight Sylvain.

http://snipurl.com/vivx

--

Graham.

%Profound_observation%

In article ,
Sylvain VAN DER WALDE wrote:
Now, we're not dealing with the usual volume control (potentiometer)
which has 3 terminals (one connected to a wiper, and the others
connected to each end of a resistive track). No, this damn "little
critter" has 7 terminals and 2 mounting lugs (printed circuit
mounting). It has a blue body measuring 16x15x5 millimetres. Looking
inside: the metal wiper assembly is attached to the plastic spindle,
and has 2 separate sections (one with 3 wipers, and the other with 2).
It looks as if there are 3 or 4 resistive tracks (it's difficult to be
precise without spending more time to observe them). Has anyone seen or
heard of such a volume control?

Might be some form of loudness control rather than simple volume?

--
*My dog can lick anyone

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

"Graham" wrote in message ...
Looks like ebay is your friend tonight Sylvain.

http://snipurl.com/vivx

Yes, _thanks to you_ it is. I've already registered, and paid for it (I've a
Paypal account which I've only used once or twice before).
I'd thought several times about registering on Ebay, but never did. This
might start me off with some careful buying.

Thanks again.

Sylvain.

--

Graham.

%Profound_observation%

"Dave Plowman (News)" wrote in message
...
In article ,
Sylvain VAN DER WALDE wrote:
Now, we're not dealing with the usual volume control (potentiometer)
which has 3 terminals (one connected to a wiper, and the others
connected to each end of a resistive track). No, this damn "little
critter" has 7 terminals and 2 mounting lugs (printed circuit
mounting). It has a blue body measuring 16x15x5 millimetres. Looking
inside: the metal wiper assembly is attached to the plastic spindle,
and has 2 separate sections (one with 3 wipers, and the other with 2).
It looks as if there are 3 or 4 resistive tracks (it's difficult to be
precise without spending more time to observe them). Has anyone seen or
heard of such a volume control?

Might be some form of loudness control rather than simple volume?

It may well be, for all I know; but Graham has located the correct part on
Ebay for me. The seller provides precise information and a very clear
picture (photo) of the item. I've already paid for it (immediate payment was
requested by the seller to guarantee dispatch to myself).

Thanks for your reply.

Sylvain.

--
*My dog can lick anyone

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

Sylvain VAN DER WALDE wrote:
"Dave Plowman (News)" wrote in message
...
In article ,

Sylvain VAN DER WALDE wrote:
Now, we're not dealing with the usual volume control (potentiometer)
which has 3 terminals (one connected to a wiper, and the others
connected to each end of a resistive track). No, this damn "little
critter" has 7 terminals and 2 mounting lugs (printed circuit
mounting). It has a blue body measuring 16x15x5 millimetres. Looking
inside: the metal wiper assembly is attached to the plastic spindle,
and has 2 separate sections (one with 3 wipers, and the other with 2).
It looks as if there are 3 or 4 resistive tracks (it's difficult to be
precise without spending more time to observe them). Has anyone seen or
heard of such a volume control?

Might be some form of loudness control rather than simple volume?

It may well be, for all I know; but Graham has located the correct part on
Ebay for me. The seller provides precise information and a very clear
picture (photo) of the item. I've already paid for it (immediate payment was
requested by the seller to guarantee dispatch to myself).

Thanks for your reply.

Sylvain.

for future reference often repairing these custom jobs is easiest.
Squeezing up the track end connections often works, and a track cracked
across can be repaired with pencil lead or aquadag along the crack. The
wiper will remove it in one area but not for the rest of the width of
the track. I would not use those conductive silver paints, they
oxidise.


NT