Thumbwheel with click!

I don't have a part number. But this sounds similar to a mouse scroll wheel. Except for the detents, that is.

One important point: I don't think you'll have much luck finding a wheel that closes one set of contacts in one direction and a different set in the other. Most implementations produce two open/close signals that are in quadrature (at a 90 degree phase difference between cycles*). Then, some simple logic in the device monitoring those contacts can determine the direction of rotation.

Stretch my old ring out.

I Am Kirk Johnson. "Anal Stretching, Wrenching & Expanding Specialist"

:I am trying to find a component that does the following: : :(1) Operates as a thumbwheel, i.e. to be mounted so that the edge of :the wheel protrudes from a casing through a slot. :(2) Has mechanical detents, i.e. it doesn't smoothly roll, but clicks :as it is rotated. :(3) Each click will close a pair of contacts, however there are two :pairs of contacts. One pair will operate in one rotation direction, :conversely the other pair in the other direction. :(4) Pressing the wheel will momentarily operate a thrid pair of :contacts. : : :I have tried to find something suitable for doing the above. I thought :I would ask here if anyone has come across something that could do all :that. : :If there are options that are splash and dust proof, then that would :be even better! : :Cheers

Commonly known as thumbwheel or pushwheel rotary switches.

eg.

Nope, not what I was after.

You could well be right, I'll have to investigate further.

If you're interested I have an old Garmin i3 GPS which is all bashed up, left button is missing, battery cover broken, USB connection unreliable. I was toying with the idea of reboxing it in a water proof (ish) plastic box, so I can use it on my motor-scooter. I would like to have a better thumb wheel control for it though. Something at least a bit weather proof, and more easily operated whilst wearing gloves.

The newer ones don't use switches. Photo or proximity sensors sense a hole or mark on the wheel.

What did "the older ones" use?

small micro switches