Gaming Cranks are the hot rage in handheld input devices right now. Its a great input for games and applications! 

The Adafruit PyGamer is a perfect gaming device to attach a crank as an input device for games and more!

We have a great example in the Cranky Gif player!

In the Cranky Gif player demo, rotating the crank makes a gif image step through each frame of its animation. It brings back the experience of those old school Mutoscope viewers! 

For this project, we designed and 3d printed an articulating hinge crank add-on for rotary encoders.

We designed a case to house the PyGamer with geometry to hold the rotary encoder in place.

You can also add custom NinjaFlex buttons and d-pads to make the buttons feel more grippy and squishy! 

We'll then cover how to modify headers to make connecting to the PyGamer easier! 

You can also use existing Knob parts like our Circuit Python Media Dial!

Parts List

Rotary Encoder with rubbery knob
This rotary encoder is the best of the best, it's a high-quality 24-pulse encoder, with detents and a nice feel. It is panel mountable for placement in a box, or you can plug it...
$4.50
In Stock
Angled shot of Adafruit PyGamer for MakeCode Arcade, CircuitPython or Arduino.
What fits in your pocket, is fully Open Source, and can run CircuitPython, MakeCode Arcade or Arduino games you write yourself? That's right, it's the Adafruit...
Out of Stock
Mini Oval Speaker with Short Wires
Hear the good news! This wee speaker is a great addition to any audio project where you need 8 ohm impedance and 1W or less of power. We particularly like...
$1.95
In Stock
Lithium Ion Polymer Battery 3.7v 350mAh with JST 2-PH connector and short cable
Lithium-ion polymer (also known as 'lipo' or 'lipoly') batteries are thin, light, and powerful. The output ranges from 4.2V when completely charged to 3.7V. This...
$5.95
In Stock
Break-away 0.1 inch 36-pin strip right-angle male header
Breakaway header is like the duct tape of electronics. Its great for connecting things together, soldering to perf-boards, fits into any breadboard, etc. We go through these guys real...
$5.95
In Stock

This guide was first published on Jun 11, 2019. It was last updated on Mar 08, 2024.

This page (Overview) was last updated on Mar 08, 2024.

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