Variable Hi Hat pedal with a Hall Effect sensor?

[Burtmeister]

Hey guys, I wondering if anyone had actually modified their RealHat pedal with a hall effect sensor.  Similar to the one used in the project here: http://www.vdrums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=54170

Hellfire mentions moving it from the stand to the pedal but noone really followed up on it. Mainly because I can't leave well enough alone and because I want to do away with the chance of mechanical failure of the flaky resistor strip, I'm considering doing this mod. It seems so simple  but I was wondering if anyone has gone this route yet.

[Guinness]

I just read that thread.   Thanks for posting it.
 
Ok... so what is a Hall Sensor?   Variable resistor based on magnetism?  That removes the mechanical-ness of current pedals.  Very cool indeed!
 
I want to do that.  Where would I get a Hall Sensor?  Radio Shack?
 
Burt, if you beat me to the punch, please post your results here.

[Guinness]

FYI: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hall_effect_sensor
 

Shopping results for hall sensor

Hall Effect Sensor $0.95 new - SparkFun HAL207JQ-K Low Cost Hall-Effect Sensor Fa- By Micronas Hall Sensors $0.50 new - SemiconductorStore.com Hall effect sensor $2.00 new - Adafruit Industries[/t][/t]

[Burtmeister]

Thanks for the links Guinness. I'm gonna order the parts this weekend and hopefully by next weekend I can do a simple test to see if it'll work.

Note: You want to be careful if you order a hall effect sensor though. There are different types. Some are non linear meaning that they are either open or closed, not variable. It looks like those links you posted are the non linear ones. I'm researching now and I'll post what I can find.


Well what a pain in the butt that was. I couldn't find one place in the U.S. that sells the correct Hall Effect sensor. So I had to go the Ebay route. I have a package of 8 on the way from China. If it works out like I hope, I'll have some extra sensors if anyone else wants to give it a try.

[Guinness]

I do. 
 
Sorry for the bad links.