Encoders are devices which convert a rotary movement into a digital signal.

With our boards they create button press signals as shown in this video:.



These button presses can then be assigned to typical up/down controls in a flight simulator or car simulator..

For example, as a radio frequency in a flight sim:

FAQ's

Q. I see a random pattern when I turn my encoder, why don't I see up and down?
A. Your Leo Bodnar board needs to have the corresponding inputs set to 1:1, 1:2, 1:4 in the configuration application.

Q. How many inputs do I need for 1 encoder?
A. With our boards, each rotary encoder will take up 2 inputs.

Q. Can I use cheap encoders from eBay or Amazon, your encoders are too expensive?
A. Encoder boards made for Arduino often have pull-up resistors which our board does not need, so can cause problems on some of our boards.

Q. Why are your encoders so expensive?
A. We guarantee all of our encoders and give support to all those people who need help with setting them up, so that you can get your sim up and running quickly.

Q. Can I use a high resolution encoder instead of a potentiometer?
A. Unfortunately not, we only support low resolution encoders with around 12-16 steps per revolution.

Q. How do I wire up an encoder board designed for the Arduino platforms?
A. For Arduino compatible encoders, you can use the CLK and DATA as the two input signals and wire +V to a +5V on the board. This will not work well on the BU0836A board due to matrix scanning.

Q. What do I set my encoder to in the configuration utility?
A. For CTS288 encoders set to 1:1, and for Elma E37 encoders set to 1:2. For other encoders set to the setting where one position movement on the encoder triggers one button press.

Q. What is the small PCB for on the Elma E37 encoder for?
A. We sell the Elma E37 with the PCB to help make it easier to use. It has a 2.54mm pin layout for soldering wires to, or using a pin header. The E37 itself is designed for mounting into a PCB.

Q. Why is the shaft so long on the CTS288 encoders?
A. We wonder the same thing, as most applications are better suited to the shorter shaft version we also have on sale.

Q. What is the difference between the CTS288 and CTS288V types?
A. The CTS288 has solderable tabs for connection, and the CTS288V is designed for circuit mounting but can be panel mounted. The 'V' type also has a push button output.

Q. My Elma E37 encoder doesn't work properly?
A. Please check the board is soldered, we ship the boards unsoldered in case the encoder is to be panel or PCB mounted and if the E37 has been removed from the pins please make sure the short pins are in the holes labelled short pins.

Q. What sort of controls can I assign it to in my flight sim?
A. Encoders are well suited to incremental settings, where you can assign an up and down, or increase and decrease settings.

Q. Can I use an encoder as an endless analog control?
A. Short answer is no. But depending on your sim software it may let you assign an encoder to an analog setting.

Q. What's the difference between an encoder and a potentiometer?
A. A potentiometer has a smooth output of voltage which can be interpreted as many 1000s of values by the interface board. An encoder like you can see above has two directions and sends out pulses for a position click in each direction.

Q. Can I use a rotary switch as an encoder?
A. This is technically possible with an "endless" rotary switch. However you would need to use an Arduino or similar, as our boards do not support this feature.

Q. How do I speed up the output when I want to change the setting a lot?
A. We don't currently have a solution for this problem, however it is something we know is a problem and would love to fix.

Q. How do I set up an E37 or CTS on an Arduino board?
A. Use a 10k pull up resistor on each of the A and B signals up to +V on the board. Connect GND to GND, then configure the input pins through the sketch or Arduino config tool.