[sdiy] electrical problems with panel pots/electrical tape

[GRAHAM ATKINS]

Someone (Can't remember who) makes some little PCB's called "pot  
chicklets". you solder the pot pins into the PCB then connect the  
wires to the PCB terminals.
I would not recommend what you are doing.

Graham

On Sep 25, 2008, at 16:53, Dan Snazelle wrote:

>
> Ok
> let me start by saying i always use the alpha 16mm pcb mount pots  
> that futurlec sells. i dont however pcb mount them. i cut off the  
> little pcb mount pins, and i solder my wires into the three holes  
> right above the post.
>
> however, these three holes always end up pretty flush with the  
> unpainted aluminum panel and if ANY little bit of wire or solder  
> happens to touch the panel the nightmares start.
>
> the last three or 4 modules i have finished, i have had all kinds of  
> weird problems UNTIL i covered the three front holes (after i  
> soldered) with ELECTRICAL TAPE.
>
>
> so my question is this.
>
> since some pots have positive voltage, or negative, or often ground,  
> i can understand how them ALL touching the panel is bad. HOWEVER  
> when i look at your projects on here, i rarely if ever hear of  
> anyone using electrical tape.
>
>
> so...what are the solutions? DOES A PAINTED PANEL HAVE LESS  
> CONDUCTIVITY? is that part of my problem is that i am using  
> unpainted aluminum?
>
> when i stick the wires through the holes and solder them, i always  
> cut the wire off as much as possible. but  if i loosen the pots from  
> the panel, the bad problems go away. and that is when i know that  
> something must be touching and i reach for the electrical tape.
>
> of around 22 modules now, almost ALL of the aluminum panels needed  
> tape. the plexiglass panels it was obviously never a problem.
>
>
> i dont want to switch to pots with solder terminals as futurlec pots  
> are SO CHEAP and SO SMALL.
>
> any advice?
>
> anyone else have the same problems?
>
>
>
> thanks
>
>
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