cheap counter

[Amplexus]

looking for a good cheap turns counter check out maxim

Key Specifications: Counters and Timers
Part Number Features Outputs Type Maximum Count Output Type Speed (MHz) Supply Current (max) (mA) Supply Voltage (min) (V) Supply Voltage (max) (V) Package Price**
ICM7224 • Improved Second Source
• RC Oscillator or External Clock
Display Decade 19999 LCD 15 0.025 3 6 PDIP/40
PLCC/44 $6.41 @ 1k
ICM7225 Common Anode LED $4.86 @ 1k
See All Counters and Timers (12)

full datasheet is at http://www.maxim-ic.com/quick_view2.cfm/qv_pk/1359/t/al

just add an lcd or led display and hall sensor /optical sensor/ reed relay ( least desirable and reliable) and you are good to go for under ten bucks

amplexus

[J-chot]

I got a pretty good one I just found...

http://www.neufeld.newton.ks.us/electronics/?p=137

This guy made a counter out of a rice-crispies pedometer! simply replace the weight/metal contact switch with some wire leads, hover 2 pieces of metal above a bump on the axel, and there you go!

[Joe Gwinn]

Originally Posted by J-chot

I got a pretty good one I just found...

http://www.neufeld.newton.ks.us/electronics/?p=137

This guy made a counter out of a rice-crispies pedometer! simply replace the weight/metal contact switch with some wire leads, hover 2 pieces of metal above a bump on the axel, and there you go!

Be careful that it doesn't double or triple count at high winding speeds.

[J-chot]

Originally Posted by Joe Gwinn

Be careful that it doesn't double or triple count at high winding speeds.

actually, my problem with this is that the counter won't count fast enough....I plan to combat it using gears to offset the rotation (3.5 rotations equals 1 click, for example)

[Bruce Johnson]

Well, if you're going to go to the mechanical trouble of driving the counter with gears or a timing belt, then why not just use a mechanical counter? The one on my coil winder came right out of McMasters for about $40. It spins fine at 1700 rpm and is absolutely reliable. Make sure that you get one that's rated for continuous rotation (not step motion) in the right direction. I picked up a spare one later on ebay for $12, which is bidirectional (called add/subtract).

Having an electronic counting system glitch or give false readings during a winding could really screw you up. If I eventually add an electronic counter, I'll still keep the mechanical counter attached as a backup.

[Rich Rice]

Originally Posted by Bruce Johnson

Well, if you're going to go to the mechanical trouble of driving the counter with gears or a timing belt, then why not just use a mechanical counter? The one on my coil winder came right out of McMasters for about $40. It spins fine at 1700 rpm and is absolutely reliable. Make sure that you get one that's rated for continuous rotation (not step motion) in the right direction. I picked up a spare one later on ebay for $12, which is bidirectional (called add/subtract).

Having an electronic counting system glitch or give false readings during a winding could really screw you up. If I eventually add an electronic counter, I'll still keep the mechanical counter attached as a backup.

What type of mechanical counter do you recommend? I'm building a winder right now, and have been researching counters.. what a can o' worms..

[Rich Rice]

Well, I found a mechanical counter on Ebay... We'll see how it works out. My winder is shaping up nicely, can't wait to take it for a "spin".

As an aside, my wife thinks I'm crazy- so it must be a good idea...

[David Schwab]

Originally Posted by Rich Rice

As an aside, my wife thinks I'm crazy- so it must be a good idea...

Or you are married to the wrong person?

[Bruce Johnson]

About mechanical counters:

Just to clarify: your mechanical counter needs to be a "Rotating Shaft Counter". It's a specific type that counts as you spin its shaft continuously. The other type are called "Lever Actuated Counter", in which you push and pull the lever to count. That will NOT work in this application.

For reference, check out McMasters searching by Mechanical Counters. Look at page 1567, Lever Actuated & Rotating Shaft Counters. The one I have is #1697T23; RH shaft, CCW rotation; 5 digits; currently $58. It's rated for 10,000 RPM.

Like I said previously, you can find them for less on ebay, but make sure it's a rotating shaft model, and is made for the direction of rotation that you want (probably CCW).

[Rich Rice]

Originally Posted by David Schwab

Or you are married to the wrong person?

LOL.. Nope, she's the one and only for me.. Four grown kids and 33 years of marriage, and we're still friends. Nobody else would put up with my BS for this long..

[David Schwab]

Originally Posted by Rich Rice

LOL.. Nope, she's the one and only for me.. Four grown kids and 33 years of marriage, and we're still friends. Nobody else would put up with my BS for this long..

Well good for you. Sounds like my wife... though we have only been married 6 years.

Her eyes often glaze over when I explain what I'm doing, but at least she thinks I know what I'm doing. lol

[Alabam]

Originally Posted by David Schwab

Well good for you. Sounds like my wife... though we have only been married 6 years.

Her eyes often glaze over when I explain what I'm doing, but at least she thinks I know what I'm doing. lol

My wife got me an $8000 shed, her old sewing machine and a host of other things just so that her eyes would not have to glaze over each time I reached a new milestone with my winder.
"Are you going out to piddle in your shed", she would ask as i left the house; " no", i replied, i`m heading out to do some footerin," (an old Ulsterism for piddling).
Yes, i had to leave Ulster for NC to find the right woman.

[David Schwab]

Originally Posted by Alabam

Yes, i had to leave Ulster for NC to find the right woman.

Very nice people in NC. My mother-in-law lives there, as well as a couple of sister-in-laws. I was shocked how much friendlier they are than up here in the NJ/NY metro area.

[Rich Rice]

Well, it's finished. Waiting for some wire to arrive. The machine is very smooth running, and it took a little fiddling- but the mechanical counter runs perfectly. I'm diggin' it!

[Alabam]

Originally Posted by David Schwab

Very nice people in NC. ea.

My wife is from Chicago and i`m from Northern Ireland, she defines it as two northeners in bum f*** egypt. The weather is beautiful and we love it down here.

[David King]

Very stylish bottle cap guides there. What's the Veeder Root part number on that counter?

[Rich Rice]

Thanks! They are mounted to thumbscrews, for adjustment... The Gatorade was delicious, as well.
Here's a little clip of the maiden voyage. Worked perfectly, first time.


The counter worked great, too. I mounted it to a little piece of cocobolo, left over from one of my fingerboards. Gotta have some exotic woods to be a "Rice" LOL



Here's the first one we wound with the "new" machine, fresh out of the potting wax


7825 turns, 5.8 kilohms. Just what I wanted, like a '55 strat.

[David Schwab]

Originally Posted by Alabam

My wife is from Chicago and i`m from Northern Ireland, she defines it as two northeners in bum f*** egypt. The weather is beautiful and we love it down here.

We may be heading down there at some point. I like to be close to NYC, but I hardly ever gig anymore so...

[Amplexus]

a cheap calculator phototransistor and a led will make a simple counter. key in 1+1 and hit =, each time you hit = it increments by 1. replace the = key with the phototransistor drill a hole on the disc the pickup mounts to and shine the led at the phototransistor. the output will increment once each revolution.
Amplexus

[walcen]

Or you might even try this nifty little program, it's the cheapest and most accurate turn counter I've come across.

All you need is an old serial cable, your computer and an input of your choice, read switch, proximity sensor, photo interrupt sensor what ever.

It should count at at least 30 hertz or better for fast winding, it also has a rev counter and a pick up winding calculator.

I've tested it and liked it so much I sent a donation for the software but you can download it for free.

http://pickups.myonlinesite.com/serial.php

regards

Wal

[Bruce Johnson]

I still don't understand why some of you guys are so fascinated with electronic counters. A mechanical counter is dead simple, cheap, and super reliable. I've got nothing against using electronics, but for this application it just seems to be much more complicated than necessary.

For reference, what Rich used is a reciprocating-type mechanical counter, which he has linked up to the reciprocating upper shaft of his converted sewing machine. That's fine for a sewing machine conversion winder, although you may have to watch the RPM's a bit.

If you're building a basic motor driven winder, you want the rotary type counter, driven right from the spindle shaft, or with a rubber toothed belt drive. That will go as fast as you want, and will never miscount or fail.