[sdiy] Pot life specifications

[David Ingebretsen]

I'm making a panel parts purchase for a couple of PCB only kits, and I got
to wondering about pot quality and life.

For the PCB only kits I've built so far, I've been using Alpha 12 mm pots.
Small, decent price. 

But, I've noticed that different kit suppliers from Synthtech (MOTM), and
Blacet, to Bridechamber, to all the dozens of DIYers who make their designs
available call out a wide variety of pots from Spectrol or BTI to Alpha to
Panasonic.

For argument, the Alpha 12mm pots are rated for 15,000 cycles, Panasonic EVU
snap in: 10,000, Spectrol: 100,000.

How accurate/serious are these numbers?

What does 10,000 cycles really mean in terms of some kind of average use? I
mean, when will an average schmuck like me get to 10,000 cycles on a pot
(well for how much I get to tweak, probably sometime in the next
millennium)...

What does 10,000 cycles mean for a performer?

Thanks,

David

David M. Ingebretsen M.S., M.E.
Collision Forensics & Engineering, Inc.
2469 East Fort Union Blvd. STE 114
Salt Lake City, UT 84121
www.CFandE.com

801 733-5458 Office
801 842-5451 Cell

dingebre at CFandE.com
dingebre at 3dphysics.net