(ET) another Alltrax related question

[jim <jiminwis yahoo com>]

Hello
Still working on getting the Alltrax installed, haven't been able to spend 
much time with it.  But a question did come up.  Why use a PB-6 or similar 
pot box, and why not use a 5k potentiometer instead?  The spring return on 
the potbox is not an advantage for an Elec-trak, and a potentiometer could 
be a lot cheaper.  What wattage would be needed?  I would think 2 watt or 
even less might be enough.  Any reason not to use a potentiometer instead 
of a potbox?

Thanks for the ideas that a few people already sent, and thanks in advance 
for an suggestions now.

Jim, in Menomonie, WI