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Pedal // Contacts

Building organ consoles for use with Hauptwerk, adding MIDI to existing consoles, obtaining parts, ...
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DIYPedalHelp

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Pedal // Contacts

PostMon May 18, 2015 1:48 am

I'm converting an old set of organ pedals to MIDI and before I started I thought I'd canvas the forum to see which type // brand // etc of contacts people find to work better, be more reliable, easiest to install.

I thank you in advance for your experiences!!!
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profeluisegarcia

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Re: Pedal // Contacts

PostMon May 18, 2015 6:19 am

HELLO¡
You may take a look at photo # 4 in this post
viewtopic.php?f=21&t=12618
These old fashioned mechanical microswitches -with a diode- have been working flawlessly for more than 12 years (with a midi encoder made by a friend of mine).
Regards, Luis
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ldeutsch

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Re: Pedal // Contacts

PostMon May 18, 2015 9:28 am

I used Peterson contacts when I had a similar situation. I found the system to be easy to install and it have worked perfectly for five years so far. In addition, it comes with a self-test feature that makes it easy to adjust the switch point for each pedal note.

Take a look at my web site at

http://www.nightbloomingjazzmen.com/Theater_Organ_Project.html

and click on

"Monday, March 22 2010 – A new set of pedal contacts"

to see some photos and additional notes.

Les
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MikeDC

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Re: Pedal // Contacts

PostMon May 18, 2015 2:11 pm

ldeutsch wrote:I used Peterson contacts when I had a similar situation. I found the system to be easy to install and it have worked perfectly for five years so far. In addition, it comes with a self-test feature that makes it easy to adjust the switch point for each pedal note.

Take a look at my web site at

http://www.nightbloomingjazzmen.com/Theater_Organ_Project.html

and click on

"Monday, March 22 2010 – A new set of pedal contacts"

to see some photos and additional notes.

Les


I've updated two pedalboards with this system. Works like a charm!
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lefranc22

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Re: Pedal // Contacts

PostTue May 19, 2015 5:02 am

I'm using switch-reeds (in french ILS) for pedalboards contacts. They are fiable, easy to install and not expensive. But these glass tubes are fragile and sometimes delicate to regulate: not for heavy feet. With them you need small magnets too. Have a look at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reed_switch
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magnaton

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Re: Pedal // Contacts

PostWed May 20, 2015 10:07 am

I too am converting an AGO pedal board using reed switches and MIDI encoder. It's becoming a fun project. I stumbled across a YouTube video with details and a demonstration of a similar project to mine. I'm using the same reed switch assembly shown in the video (from www.midibotique.com) but with a different MIDI encoder. I'm also attaching the switches on the pedalboard itself vs an add on box shown in the video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AoFcEz0MsmI

When midi-fying an AGO pedalboard, with its radiating design, care needs to be taken so the magnets and switches are all proportional so all the pedals trigger the contact signal in a uniform manner. Specs I read say a pedal dip of about 1/2" with a note sounding at the 1/4" travel.

Danny B.
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ldeutsch

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Re: Pedal // Contacts

PostWed May 20, 2015 3:34 pm

This is easy to adjust using the Peterson system.
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eajohnson

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Re: Pedal // Contacts

PostWed May 20, 2015 5:39 pm

Another vote for the Peterson system. It costs a bit more than some other conversion kits but it is so easy to install. I had it installed and working in an afternoon.
Owner of an old Schober homebuilt, midified and Hauptwerkified.
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DIYPedalHelp

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Re: Pedal // Contacts

PostSun May 24, 2015 1:07 pm

Thank you all SO very much for your most generous replies!!

Your projects are all astounding... I surely won't be building amazing cabinetry or multiple boards. But, wow, did I have a great time looking at the pictures and videos of your projects.

I was hoping that the Peterson was well regarded. It certainly seems like the easiest by far... and I purchased one contact from them to begin assessing the mechanics. Les, thank you for showing me how you affixed yours. That is a great solution to a problem I anticipated with mine.

With gratitude, and best wishes!
Thanks!
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Owen Jones

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Re: Pedal // Contacts

PostSun May 31, 2015 9:44 am

Have a look at my webpage; using a Peterson kit, pic from early 2000s


[url]http://theatreorgans.com/owenjones/newconsole.html[/url]

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