I thought I'd awake this thread from its slumber to update it.
I'd earlier mentioned that using a pocket calculator as a turns counter is fine up to perhaps 100RPM - for example in a hand winder, but the calculator ceases to count at much above that speed. I therefore removed the calculator/micro-switch arrangement and fitted a mechanical 'tally-counter' operated by a cam and lever. It worked reliably, but is a bit 'agricultural' and makes a clatter in use. (I've attached a pic).
As a better alternative I searched for a sensibly priced shaft counter to attach directly to the coil winder shaft. I eventually found one for under a tenner, which I've now fitted, and which seems to work well. The spec is:
Range : 0-99999;
Max Rotation Speed : 350 r/min;
Shaft Diameter : 6mm/ 0.24"
Body Size : 8.5 x 5 x 5.7cm/3.3'' x 2'' x 2.2'' (L*W*T);
Total Length including shaft: 16.5cm/6.5";
Mounted Hole Diameter : 5mm/ 2"
External Material : Metal;
Colour : Grey, Silver Tone
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00EZ4BDEE/re...71_TE_item
The body is quite large, but that's no bad thing as the digits are large too so are easily seen as the counter increments the turns. Although it states maximum RPM 350 (ie, 3,500 turns in ten mins), I've run it faster than that just for devilment and it seems to be quite happy, though if - as I suspect - the gears are plastic, it might not be up t5o prolonged use at faster speeds.
I've also got a cheapo pedometer which includes a 'step counter' which operates by a small weight on a sensitive spring bouncing up and down with each step taken, shorting out two contacts. As with the pocket calculator, the spring/weight could be removed and those contacts could be connected to a micro-switch operated by a cam on the coil winder shaft. However, as with the calculator, the pedometer isn't designed to operated at say 500 steps per minute, so it might suffer from the same shortcomings as did the calculator. I was intending to give it a try, but with so many other commitments, so many half-done projects, and several weeks away from home over the next three months, it isn't going to happen.
The first pic is the new shaft counter, the second pic is the cam & lever operated tally counter, the last pic is new shaft counter alongside the diminutive pedometer/step counter, which I suspect will only get used for when we're on walks. We're off to the Dales in a week or two, so we'll take two (they were on a BOGOF' offer at Mountain Warehouse) to see how they compare.
(I managed to finalise an article on the coil winder and submit it to Carl Glover for his consideration, but he's extremely busy right now, so I'll await his verdict in due course as to whether it merits space in the Bulletin).
Hope the pics are of interest.
I'd earlier mentioned that using a pocket calculator as a turns counter is fine up to perhaps 100RPM - for example in a hand winder, but the calculator ceases to count at much above that speed. I therefore removed the calculator/micro-switch arrangement and fitted a mechanical 'tally-counter' operated by a cam and lever. It worked reliably, but is a bit 'agricultural' and makes a clatter in use. (I've attached a pic).
As a better alternative I searched for a sensibly priced shaft counter to attach directly to the coil winder shaft. I eventually found one for under a tenner, which I've now fitted, and which seems to work well. The spec is:
Range : 0-99999;
Max Rotation Speed : 350 r/min;
Shaft Diameter : 6mm/ 0.24"
Body Size : 8.5 x 5 x 5.7cm/3.3'' x 2'' x 2.2'' (L*W*T);
Total Length including shaft: 16.5cm/6.5";
Mounted Hole Diameter : 5mm/ 2"
External Material : Metal;
Colour : Grey, Silver Tone
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00EZ4BDEE/re...71_TE_item
The body is quite large, but that's no bad thing as the digits are large too so are easily seen as the counter increments the turns. Although it states maximum RPM 350 (ie, 3,500 turns in ten mins), I've run it faster than that just for devilment and it seems to be quite happy, though if - as I suspect - the gears are plastic, it might not be up t5o prolonged use at faster speeds.
I've also got a cheapo pedometer which includes a 'step counter' which operates by a small weight on a sensitive spring bouncing up and down with each step taken, shorting out two contacts. As with the pocket calculator, the spring/weight could be removed and those contacts could be connected to a micro-switch operated by a cam on the coil winder shaft. However, as with the calculator, the pedometer isn't designed to operated at say 500 steps per minute, so it might suffer from the same shortcomings as did the calculator. I was intending to give it a try, but with so many other commitments, so many half-done projects, and several weeks away from home over the next three months, it isn't going to happen.
The first pic is the new shaft counter, the second pic is the cam & lever operated tally counter, the last pic is new shaft counter alongside the diminutive pedometer/step counter, which I suspect will only get used for when we're on walks. We're off to the Dales in a week or two, so we'll take two (they were on a BOGOF' offer at Mountain Warehouse) to see how they compare.
(I managed to finalise an article on the coil winder and submit it to Carl Glover for his consideration, but he's extremely busy right now, so I'll await his verdict in due course as to whether it merits space in the Bulletin).
Hope the pics are of interest.
Regards, David.
BVWS Member.
G-QRP Club Member 1339.
'I'm in my own little world, but I'm happy, and they know me here'
BVWS Member.
G-QRP Club Member 1339.
'I'm in my own little world, but I'm happy, and they know me here'
