pots of choice

[Richie]

Dumble used alphas/mouser. I read that Ken didn't like the PEC or others of this type when they stopped making them in the USA,and switched to Mexico. The newer made alpha pots don't seem as bad as the ones made a few years ago. But you do have to go through a few,and measure them etc..

[v846]

Richie,

The newer PEC casings do look a bit different than ones made a few years ago but aren't PEC still made in Canada? I think Clarostat are made in Mexico..

[Richie]

I copied this from ampage, its about from about 2001. I do believe they are still made in Canada. And sometimes can find surplus ones.

We used to use them b/c they were local (Dover NH). That plant appears to be long gone. Last i knew they were
purchsed by Hawker-Sidney. So, maybe they are still made and available in England.
The last run we used were made in Mexico and displayed a greater failure rate than the Alpha's --about 30% in
fact.

http://www.kurtsequipment.com/hiwatt/18 ... f04e_b.jpg

[gearhead]

The last batch of PEC Pots I got are stamped Made in Canada. Received them about 3 months ago.

[Richie]

many of the similar pots, clarostat,Allen bradly, etc.. have the made in mexico on them. Probably all made in the same place .
They seem to be nice pots. I was just posting what i had read. the link above in my other post, shows some PEC stamped mexico. But yes, PEC is now in Canada. Most of the time you don't see but a few of the bigger pots in the wrecks. he mostly used the smaller pots.

[Structo]

I really haven't had any problems with Alpha pots.
I have a scratchy pre-gain pot in my D'lite but I think it's from leaking DC.
I haven't used a huge number of them but probably 50 or so.
Never had a problem with them.

Haven't really noticed any irregular measurements when turning them.

I read somewhere that you can have places like CTS custom make pots to your specs.
Everything from turning resistance (bushing clearance) to taper to just about anything you can think of.
But of course, you have to order a huge lot for them to do it.

CTS also seem to offer different pots to different retailers.
I don't like the nylon shaft ones. Some have a smooth back while others have the depressed back with the shaft end in it.

I like the PEC locking bushing pots for my bias pots (25KL). They have a lock nut on top you tighten after adjusting the bias.
I bought the first couple at a local parts house here but they don't re-stock stuff for 4 years so I last ordered them from Digikey I think.

[steviea55]

After testing various brands and types of pots including carbon and plastic elements, I have found that all of them have inconsistence in actual values from pot to pot ,even if ever so small. So I would suggest testing to get the values you need. IMO that seems to be 2nd only to choosing the right taper. After that I usally select shaft and body size, wiper friction(feel),as well as casing,element,and shaft material for the need of the paticular build I'm doing. Test Test Test woops, I mean Taste