DIY 0-10V Input Switch Box (5 Switches)

[TheHarold]

Or you can just buy this one from DFRobot for $6. It uses the same principle for 5 buttons on one input channel.
Digikey carries them. Easy to wire up as is.

If you really like the bigger buttons, you could remove these from the board and wire up external switches.

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Out of curiosity, have you tried this yourself?

 

[ggdowski]

I've ordered it. I have many of the DFRobot sensors in hand -- just not this one.
I'll be posting something later about using their cheap level sensors as an alternative.

 

[ggdowski]

I've ordered it. I have many of the DFRobot sensors in hand -- just not this one.
I'll be posting something later about using their cheap level sensors as an alternative.

I did have a question though... is there really a need for the external +5V supply. It looks like you could just wire this up directly to a sensor input channel.

 

[TheHarold]

I've ordered it. I have many of the DFRobot sensors in hand -- just not this one.
I'll be posting something later about using their cheap level sensors as an alternative.

I am 90% sure it won’t work. Not the correct resistors for the Hydros analog input.

 

[TheHarold]

I did have a question though... is there really a need for the external +5V supply. It looks like you could just wire this up directly to a sensor input channel.

Yes, 5v is still required. How else can you create the 1v-5v signals? If/when the board you ordered does not work, shoot me a message and I can send you one like this (image attached) that is designed for hydros. The hydros 0-10v port has a 5v supply so it’s somewhat easy to connect.

 

[ggdowski]

I am 90% sure it won’t work. Not the correct resistors for the Hydros analog input.

Its worth a $6 gamble. It is just a matter of setting up the triggers for specific voltages on the software side. I like challenges. Would you like to wager?

 

[ggdowski]

Yes, 5v is still required. How else can you create the 1v-5v signals? If/when the board you ordered does not work, shoot me a message and I can send you one like this (image attached) that is designed for hydros. The hydros 0-10v port has a 5v supply so it’s somewhat easy to connect.

I guess I wasn't clear. External --- meaning a plug in +5V supply vs taking it off of one of the connectors like the input connector or the sensor connector. That said, I now realize that the sensor channels can't be set up as triggers like the inputs can. My calculation is that the max current out of the DFRobot button box is 2ma. So, it shouldn't matter.

 

[JeffB418]

Its worth a $6 gamble. It is just a matter of setting up the triggers for specific voltages on the software side. I like challenges. Would you like to wager?

Yeah I agree, I don't think this will work. I cant find the specific resistor values they use, but if the button values arent 1V apart then Hydros wont be able to see any difference. The resolution on a 0-10V input trigger is 1V. This may work for a couple of buttons, but most likely a few buttons will be rounded to the same trigger voltage.

 

[ggdowski]

Yeah I agree, I don't think this will work. I cant find the specific resistor values they use, but if the button values arent 1V apart then Hydros wont be able to see any difference. The resolution on a 0-10V input trigger is 1V. This may work for a couple of buttons, but most likely a few buttons will be rounded to the same trigger voltage.

It is pretty close if you put a 1k resistor across pins 1 and 3 to lower the input impedance.

 

[ggdowski]

It is pretty close if you put a 1k resistor across pins 1 and 3 to lower the input impedance.

It should work with a 8k resistor between pins 1 and 3. That should give you voltages of 0.85, 1.86, 2.75, 3.83, and 5V.

 

[ggdowski]

It should work with a 8k resistor between pins 1 and 3. That should give you voltages of 0.85, 1.86, 2.75, 3.83, and 5V.

Actually, this has been a good exercise. I took a closer look at their circuit and missed that their ladder didn't have a resistor on the first switch.... So a 2k resistor between pins 1 and 3 should give 0, 1.24, 2.44, 3.3, and around 5V. I think it is worth a $6 gamble for the group.

 

[JeffB418]

New tutorial video for using button boxes with Hydros to control modes and other outputs:

 

[DozzerB7]

Actually, this has been a good exercise. I took a closer look at their circuit and missed that their ladder didn't have a resistor on the first switch.... So a 2k resistor between pins 1 and 3 should give 0, 1.24, 2.44, 3.3, and around 5V. I think it is worth a $6 gamble for the group.

I want to order one. Did anyone get it to work?

 

[TanAsh]

Here is a simple way to use one of your 0-10V inputs and have 5 discrete switch inputs for 1V/2V/3V/4V/5V levels. This leverages the onboard 5V DC pin and uses a resistor ladder to create multiple voltages. Note that only 1 switch can be active at a time so momentary switches are recommended. Also the 5V switch will act as an override to all other switches. Using standard radial resistors make easy work of this circuit. If you want less switches, just leave out the associated resistor and switch from the diagram. Amazon has many industrial switch boxes with up to 4 switches as well, here is one Example.

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I have few resistors at hand but not all of them. Can I substitute the 115ohm with 120ohm and 310ohm with 330ohm/300ohm ??