Why is a load sensor or load cell better than using a potentiometer?
I assume if you are visiting this website you understand the concept of threshold braking and it’s importance in driving a real or simulated race car at it’s limits. Maximum braking before lockup can be easier attained when the driver need not worry about how far to press the pedal but how hard to press the pedal. For some reason it’s easier to modulate pressure. Unfortunately, most mass produced sim racing pedal setups use potentiometers or pots as the sensor to modulate the brakes. When pots are used for the brake, the pedal needs to travel a certain distance to register a difference in braking effort. But we don’t stop a real race car by pushing the pedal a certain distance and then gently holding it there. The pedal in a real car travels a small amount and then reaches the point where more pressure on the pedal means more stopping power but with minimal extra travel. Pots are great for the throttle and clutch but when it comes to braking they are unrealistic. A load sensor measures
