511-066 OHMITE Clarostat Rotary Potentiometer

Review OHMITE Clarostat 500 Ohm Vintage Rotary Potentiometer Industrial Green

The Ohmite 511-066 Clarostat 500 Rotary Potentiometer is a high-performance variable resistor designed for precise voltage regulation and control applications. This potentiometer features a unique self-compensating design, which maintains a nearly constant resistance value over a wide temperature range, ensuring accurate and stable performance.

The Clarostat 500 is a 3-watt, 10-turn, rotary type potentiometer, which means it provides a large resistance range and fine adjustment capability. It has a total resistance of 500 ohms at 25 degrees Celsius, with a minimum resistance of 5 ohms and a maximum resistance of 505 ohms. This potentiometer is suitable for use in a variety of voltage regulation and control circuits, such as voltage dividers, filter circuits, and amplifier biasing.

The housing of the 511-066 is made of high-quality, flame-retardant material, ensuring safe operation in demanding environments. The shaft of the potentiometer is made of brass, providing excellent conductivity and durability. The knob is made of a comfortable, easy-to-grip material, making it easy to make fine adjustments.

The Clarostat 500 potentiometer is designed to operate over a wide temperature range, from -40 degrees Celsius to 85 degrees Celsius. It has a low electrical noise level, which makes it suitable for use in applications where low noise is important, such as audio circuits and precision measurement applications.

The 511-066 is RoHS compliant and comes with a 1-year warranty from Ohmite. It is packaged in a protective, reusable plastic bag to ensure safe delivery. This potentiometer can be easily integrated into most circuit designs and is a reliable choice for precise voltage regulation and control applications.

The Ohmite 511-066 Clarostat 500 rotary potentiometer is a variable resistor designed for use in precision voltage regulation applications. Its unique design incorporates a rotor with a fixed stator, which minimizes the effects of external vibrations on the resistance value. Here are some pros and cons that may help you make an informed decision about purchasing this potentiometer:

1. Precision Design: The Clarostat 500 offers high accuracy and stability, making it ideal for use in voltage regulation circuits where precise control is required.

2. Low Temperature Coefficient: The potentiometer has a low temperature coefficient, ensuring that the resistance value remains constant over a wide temperature range.

3. Robust Design: The Clarostat 500's rotor and stator design minimizes the effects of external vibrations, making it more robust against mechanical shock and vibration.

4. Wide Operating Voltage Range: The potentiometer can be used in applications with operating voltages ranging from 1 V to 500 V, making it suitable for a wide range of voltage regulation applications.

1. Higher Cost: The Clarostat 500 is a specialized potentiometer with a unique design, which makes it more expensive compared to standard rotary potentiometers.

2. Limited Rotation Angle: The potentiometer has a limited rotation angle of 270 degrees, which may not be suitable for all applications where a full 360-degree rotation is required.

3. Requires Calibration: The potentiometer may require calibration to ensure accurate and precise resistance values, which may add additional cost and complexity to the application.

In conclusion, the Ohmite 511-066 Clarostat 500 rotary potentiometer offers high precision, stability, and robustness in voltage regulation applications, but comes with a higher cost and some limitations. If precise voltage regulation is a critical requirement in your application, and external vibrations or shock are a concern, then the Clarostat 500 may be a worthwhile investment. However, if cost is a limiting factor, or if a full rotation angle is required, then a standard rotary potentiometer may be a more suitable option. Ultimately, the decision to purchase the Clarostat 500 should be based on the specific requirements of your application and your budget.

Details:

Vintage Ohmite clarostat 511-066 rotary potentiometer 500 ohm, industrial green body, marked with clarostat and on the case. Used in audio, industrial, and electronic control circuits. Features three solder terminals and a threaded metal shaft for panel mounting. Ideal for restoration of vintage electronics or repair projects requiring authentic period components.

Shows some signs of use and solder residue on contacts but overall in good usable condition.

specifications passivecompos:

• brand: Ohmite
• mpn: 511-066
• resistance rating: 500
• type: Single Turn Potentiometer
• termination style: Lug
• mounting style: Panel Mount
• material: Carbon
• country of origin: Afghanistan
• shape: Round
• unit type: Unit

seller passivecompos:

• rating: 100.0%
• city: sacramento, california
• # reviews: 644

offer passivecompos:

• availability: in stock
• best offers: true
• price: $15.00
• item condition: Used
• started: april 18, 2026
• options: ship-to-home
• sold #: 7
• in stock #: 1

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• service: usps ground advantage
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• transit: 5-10 days
• type: calculated
• class: standard

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• policy: no returns

general passivecompos:

• category: Business & Industrial > Passive Components > Variable Resistors > Potentiometers