Sharing: Adding capacitive touchsensor to midiBox

MIDIbox NG
1

Hey people,

I was looking for a way to detect, if an encoder (with metal shaft of course) is touched. Since NG itself doesn’t support such touchsensors I was searching for an IC. And I found it:
https://www.mouser.de/ProductDetail/Microchip-Technology/AT42QT1010-TSHR?qs=xbJoyvfFV%2F%252BFK88JVR2efg%3D%3D

I’ve added a 22nF cap between SNS and SNSK and put a 10k resistor right before the encoder. It works great! As soon as I touch the encoder, the “OUT” goes high and if I release it it goes back low.

You just have to connect that to an inputpin of an HC165 and you are done.

Best,
Chris

2

Great!
Did you look for and find some knob to go with it?
Best
Bruno

3

Any knob made from metal will do. Even a plastic knob should do. But you’d need to increase the cap between SNS and SNSK to make it more sensible. 

I use knobs from Kobler here in Germany. 

4

Cool chip and not too bad to solder!