Alpha pots locking nut?

Parts Questions
1

I have a lot of Taiwan Alpha 10k linear pots I’m using to mount on my panel (7mm holes).

The pots have a locking nut underneath, used to lock the orientation in place by resting in a hole underneath the panel (2.5 mm aluminum).

photo here:

http://avishowtech.com/mbhp/images/Pots2L.jpg

datasheet here:

http://avishowtech.com/mbhp/images/pot2data.jpg

Currently I do not have these holes designed in FP Express… should I have the holes in my design? If so, can you point me to someone else’s panel file so I can see how they spaced these holes

Or, could I do without these holes on the reverse side, using extra washers instead, screwing the pots on tight and preventing the pots from twisting out of place ?

As always, thanks for your replies.

Regards,

2

I usually just use a pair of needle-nose pliers and get rid of the little nose on the pot, by simply breaking it off. I just fasten the nuts decently and never had a problem with the pots coming loose. If that should ever happen - a drop of [insert favorite glue here] into the nut before tightening will do wonders.

Also I don’t use any of the fancy washer that come with it, but only one, on the panel side below the nut.

3

nILS

never had a problem with the pots coming loose

That’s good to hear. This is what I’m worried about the most.

I’ve not seen any posts about the pots twisting out of alignment, I can only assume its hardly ever an issue.