I like my Fluid Dial…but the screen on the M5Dial is a bit small for my taste.
So I also ordered bits for the CYD version. I wasn’t expecting the encoder wheel until Monday - I was thinking about building it up with just a normal rotary encoder to tide me over…but surprise USPS got the nice encoder to me yesterday.
It does take a change in the code now to get the orientation like this…but I really like the feel with the heavy encoder at the bottom - and it made it easier to install the cable gland I had on hand compared to mounting it on the curved end. And I think I like the feel better with the encoder on the bottom.
Thought I had it ready to go and just hooked it to my machine…only to discover there’s one fairly major difference between the M5 Dial and the CYD that I missed.
The M5Dial has it’s own voltage regulation so it’s wired to Vmot on the jackpot in all the examples I saw. The CYD…does not. Whoops.
I haven’t opened it up yet to see how bad the damage is but based on the smell I’m pretty sure I need a new CYD entirely.
And now that I think about I’m thinking it would probably be better to run the M5 off of the 5v line than the Vmot since I assume Vmot is the motor voltage line…so may be noisier. Or is there a reason I’m missing why I see it wired that way in other examples on this thread?
@MakerJim - what’s the current consensus on ESD protection - I read through a few of the older threads and there didn’t seem to be any final call. I saw a good bit of criticism of the protection provided by the official breakout from Bart - but no final suggestion on a better option. It also sounds like the biggest danger is with attaching/detaching the dial - but I plan on keeping mine connected full time so not sure how much I need to worry. I’m not a fan of RJ-11 or 45 for the connection and am fine with it being hardwired…so I don’t like the idea of buying the kit but not using most of it…and don’t’ want to build the circuit from scratch if it’s not very effective as those other threads suggested.