Knobster DIY

The DIY Knobster only works with Air Manager or Air Player panels. It does not work with KnobXP (VR)

It is possible to create your own knobster using:

• An Arduino Nano
• A dual rotary encoder with push button
• (Optional) some kind of housing

1. Preparing the Arduino Nano

Flash device window

You can flash the Arduino Nano from Air Manager 3.7 or higher for Windows.

Air Manager 4.x

• Open up Air Manager
• Go to the Home tab
• Push the 'Flash' button in the ribbon menu
• Select the Arduino Nano, and click 'Next'
• Set the COM port of your Arduino Nano
• Check the 'Flash as Knobster' option
• Click 'Flash'. The Knobster should now be added to the device list, if not, follow the next 3 steps below.
• After the flashing is done click 'Device' in the ribbon menu
• Select the DIY Knobster and click 'Next'
• Set the COM port of your Arduino Nano and click 'Add'

Air Manager 3.7

• Open up Air Manager
• Go to the Devices tab
• Push the 'Flash' button in the ribbon menu
• Select the Arduino Nano, and click 'Next'
• Set the COM port of your Arduino Nano
• Check the 'Flash as Knobster' option
• Click 'Flash'

2. Connecting the rotary encoder to the Arduino Nano

There are fixed pins that should be connected to the appropriate rotary encoder pins.

Rotary encoder pin	Arduino Nano pin
Inner encoder A	D4
Inner encoder common	GND
Inner encoder B	D5
Outer encoder A	D3
Outer encoder common	GND
Outer encoder B	D2
Push button	D6
Push button common	GND