Fusion Brain -- Digital Encoder Beta Test

2k1Toaster · 04-29-2008, 10:53 PM

Hello everyone. It is about that time of the year where we get some new schwag in.

I finished designing a digital encoder interface for the Fusion Brain last week, and have sent it off to be made. I have no idea if the fabbed version will work. Currently the only working version is built on a suitcase breadboard.

Anyways, this will interface any quadrature output rotary encoder to an analogue signal that the Fusion Brain can read. What does this mean?

Well a rotary encoder is a knob that can spin around and around and around and around and around and never stop. So most volume knobs on standard HU's, OEM HU's, home theatre boxes, ect... Currently we sell potentiometers, which are spin once type devices. They work well, but can get offsynced if you adjust them independantly. So this will overcome that.

They come in detented ones (cheaper, mechanical) and non detended ones (more expensive, and uses light through slots).

This interface has a header to go from board to the Fusion Brain, as well as a 3 pin header to go to the rotary encoder of your choice. We will stock 1 detented and 1 non-detented encoder and sell as a package option, as well as sell the board without an encoder. If you get it without the encoder, you can now interface the OEM style that came with your car most likely, or any encoder you want however fancy you want, or dont want.

Freedom is yours.

So we are having 10 of them made. No idea how many will be faulty. Probably have 9 working when we get them in if I didnt screw up the layout, and 10 coasters if I messed up.

I will keep 2, Tim will keep 1 or 2 if he wants. The rest are for you guys. Who wants to test?

I would prefer to get 3 people with OEM knobs to try and interface and 3 with this being by itself.

So we would like to offer the beta boards at $12 encoder-less. $17 with an encoder.

Let us know if you are interested (Just post here)

Also constructive critisism or ideas are welcome too.

quantum · 04-29-2008, 11:07 PM

Hey 2K1, I'm in for one, as long as it works with the "original" fusion brain I got during the 3 day madness sale.

Mine will be stand alone, do I want dented or un-dented encoder?

Which is more hip?

TY

h3rk · 04-29-2008, 11:09 PM

Count me in, definately! You already know what category I would be in (OEM knob).

2k1Toaster · 04-29-2008, 11:34 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by quantum

Hey 2K1, I'm in for one, as long as it works with the "original" fusion brain I got during the 3 day madness sale.

Mine will be stand alone, do I want dented or un-dented encoder?

Which is more hip?

TY

"Un-detended" are more hip. Basically you feel no resistance. Used in luxury cars like Lexus.

Detended you feel the little notches. But much cheaper.

The $17 is for detented. They work just fine, and I dont think one is better than the other. With the detented one, you can feel each notch.

quantum · 04-29-2008, 11:41 PM

Hmmmm, can I get one interface, one dented encoder and one un-dented? Whatever $ it is it is This way I can compare?

If not, no prob, I'll go with the dented, I'm a tactile kinda guy.

Thanks!

jimp · 04-30-2008, 10:59 AM

I Have auto everything on the car i am driving right now, but since our daughter hasn't made the first payment in a year and a half of driving the car we signed on for her, I will probably be cruising around in an 05 PT cruiser in a few weeks and my wife will get the impala. (not that she will ever drive it since she always has a demo anyway) at this point I will probably need to brush up on reading all of H3rk's stuff on auto air and will probably be needing this technology, even if not, it will give me something more to play with, so count me in also.

dyne · 04-30-2008, 11:06 PM

I'd be interested in trying this with my alps rkjxt1e12001 encoder. The solution I'm using with an HID controller isn't working as well as I'd like.

What if we get faulty boards?

2k1Toaster · 04-30-2008, 11:12 PM

If I recieve faulty boards, I wont sent them. I will redo the layout and it will be another 3-4 weeks to see if the new ones are faulty or not. But I hope it wont, get to that.

quantum · 04-30-2008, 11:28 PM

Awwww man!

You mean you won't send them out, make us fight with them for hours to try and make them work, pay to have them shipped back and then wait for a month to get good ones?

What fun is THAT?

mrbean_phillip · 05-01-2008, 01:43 AM

Hey 2k1Toaster,I am keen too, board with encoder, please - pm me when I should make payment.

Br,
MrBean

2k1Toaster · 05-01-2008, 01:59 AM

I wont start asking for money until after the boards arrive. No sense to have money in limbo when I dont even have the thing infront of me yet.

At least response has been pretty good!

I have been trying to find nice looking dials/knobs/covers but most look pretty cheap. I really want to get something similar to the powermate.

That would be cool. I wonder if I can find their supplier for casings.

Dilmahay · 05-07-2008, 08:34 AM

Hi, I would be interested in a board with an encoder if you are still doing them.

alvinx · 05-07-2008, 07:32 PM

I would love to try it too. PM me when the boards arrive, i will drop in the payment and will let u know of the results after using it. Currently I am working on rewiring and redesigning the inputs/outputs for my stang, hope it arrives before i finish up.