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Trackball mouse hack
Smeghead:
So I've been reading lots and lots about doing a Trackball mouse hack and have a few questions, mainly focused around my pathetic inability to solder anything.
The best writeup i've found is this:
http://www.willcoxonline.com/mame/controlpanel/controlpanel.htm
They all say 'remove the receivers' but do you have to? It would be so much easier for a solder-challenged idiot like me to solder wires onto the legs of the receivers still on the PCB. Would that cause power problems?
Also if you dont tap into the power on the mousePCB you would have to supply power to the trackball some other way right? Either from a usb cable or direct from the computers PSU?
If you DO tap into the mousePCBs power supply, it has to be USB right? PS2 or 9pin serial wouldnt do it?
bkenobi:
Perhaps I'm missing something, but all you are doing is using the mouse to interface the trackball to the PC. The mouse (an old ball mouse, not a new laser or LED unit) has a similar mechanism to the trackball. All you are doing is removing the mouse hardware (encoder wheel and transmitter/receiver) and swapping it to the trackball hardware (encoder wheel and transmitter/receiver). A trackball is essentially just a ball mouse that's been turned upside down, so if you connect the trackball to the mouse, it will work just fine.
As far as disconnecting the old transmitter/receiver...it might work if you leave it. BUT, if you don't disconnect the power, it might have issues. If you get a desoldering tool from Radio Shack (or wherever), you can simply suck the solder off the pins and remove the transmitter/receiver units from the mouse. Once it's gone, just stick the wires through and solder away.
Here's the tool that I use:
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062731
BobA:
You do not have to have USB, a PS/2 mouse will work just fine. It has the same 5V as a USB mouse. Desoldering is easy with a suction tool or desoldering wick.
Smeghead:
my thinking is its easier to solder the new wires onto the legs of the old transmitter than to open holes :)
I'd still need to connect power to the trackball somehow tho right
BobA:
You do not need to connect extra power to the trackball. Your PS/2 mouse can provide power to the trackball thru the regular trackball connector.
You do not even have to desolder the 3 pin receiver. Just cut it off with side cutters and use the solder pads that are left. I is probable that the receiver will interfere with your trackball signals if left in place.