Lunar lander light switch

[Zakk]

The ongoing ram controls thread got me thinking...

A lunar lander thrust controller (or something similar) would look killer in my bar as the light switch.  I don't think I want to fork out $200 for a thruster control (and if the rumors are right...not even get anything) for a light switch...  So what better place to ask for ideas. 

So how hard do you guys think it would be to make a dimmable light switch that looks like a big lever handle like thing?  I think I could fabricate the lever, maybe not the lever plate, and likely not figure out how not to electrocute myself wiring household wiring to a rotary control.

so any ideas on how to make it look sick on the safe and cheap?

[matsadona]

Well, both are essentially a clever use of a potentiometer and some way (gears) of turning it with a handle or knob.
Shouldn’t be that hard to accomplish. And not that dangerous either, since you really don’t need to disassemble the dimmer completely, just figure out how to get the movement in the handle transferred to the potentiometer.

[Zakk]

Right.  Which is sort of how the lunar lander control is set up. 

Maybe I'll try and find a used control online somewhere.  No way I'm sending any money to RAM.  Or maybe just completely copy the LL design and just buy LL replacement parts.... decisions decisions. 

[CheffoJeffo]

WTF is Zakk and is he mean ?

I was thinking that perhaps a marine throttle assembly might work, but don't know the various ratings or costs and some are cable and some are electric.

PS -- The folks at the fort miss you, you big teddy bear! Stay well.

[jbarnatt]

Is there a link to the post you guys are talking about?

[Richard_Nixon]

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=112414.0
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=110148.0

It's an interesting read. Took me a few hours to get through it.

[matsadona]

I like the idea of a marine throttle… Simple yet very close to the target.
Here is one example:
http://uflexusa.ultraflexgroup.com/articoli.asp?sart=224&art=474



Shouldn’t be that hard to connect a wire or gear that distributes the movement to the potentiometer axle.

[jbarnatt]

That wouldn't be that hard. You could even make the handle out of wood and the base out of MDF. Then using some linkage you could rig up one of those sliding dimmer switches.

[leapinlew]

Something like that seems like it would spread throughout the room until you eventually steampunk the entire place. Tread lightly Zakk!

[Zakk]

It's definitely a steam-punky idea.

Marine throttle sounds expensive.  Anything with the word 'marine' in front of it sounds expensive.

The control has to be fairly non intrusive, so the LL setup looks pretty much perfect.  I think at this point the base would be the toughest part, as I don't think I'd want the top to an electrical box being made out of MDF or any other flammable material...

Going to check out that thread.

And cheffo...the fort has Boz, that's all it needs 

[CheffoJeffo]

And cheffo...the fort has Boz, that's all it needs