Using atari sprint steering wheel?

[ThePunk]

I have a feeling this has been discussed, but I can't find info no matter what I search for.

Here's my question. Can the origional 4 pin optics board be easily used in conjunction with a optipac?

I briefly looked over the sample circuit on the ultimarc site, and compared it with the sprint board, but they're certainly wired differently.

[paigeoliver]

I THINK you should be able to use the original optic boards with an OPTI PAC. I am personally trying to figure out if I need to get a new optic board to use the OSCAR mouse hack for my Tac/Scan control panel.

If that is the only optical device you are using, then you may want to go with the much cheaper Oscar mouse hack.

[Minwah]

I have used original Atari optics (later type, from RoadBlasters) hooked up to a mouse hack - it worked fine...

...I *think* I remember Oscar saying that some Atari optics may not work though - Oscar?

[Mameham]

 I did it. I used some other steerling wheels, but they worked fine with Optipac... check out my site...

http://www.arcadepinball.com

It's in the Mamehac section...

Email me if you want any more info...

[OSCAR]

I have used original Atari optics (later type, from RoadBlasters) hooked up to a mouse hack - it worked fine...

...I *think* I remember Oscar saying that some Atari optics may not work though - Oscar?

It depends on the optic board.  The USB mouse only accepts sourced optic circuits, which I haven't seen many Atari boards with.  Off hand I can think of the Tempest and Blasteroids optic boards, and both of those sink current to ground.  You may be able to add 1k pull up resistors between the +5V and signal leads to supply 5mA to the phototransistors to make them compatible with the USB mouse, but I can't guarantee that is all that is necessary to make them work.

[cw]

Depending on the encoder wheel you might just be able to use a mouse optic on it... I used this method to hook up my pole 2 cab wheel....



http://home.austin.rr.com/poocher/mousewheel.jpg

the optic that was on this wheel had two optics (made into one piece)  one for left and one for right

[ThePunk]

Heres the board in question...
Sorry about the crappy pics, but I am on the way out the door to work.
Thanks again for the help!

[cw]

yep thats the same one that was on the pole2 cab.....

try the mouse gutting.... it works fine...

[creatine28]

Looks great!   How did you mount the mouse pcb board to the metal of the steering wheel mount?  I'm thinking this might work for me to hook up my pole position wheel and save some money at the same time.

Would it be possible to see a picture at a different angle?

Thanks!

Steve

Depending on the encoder wheel you might just be able to use a mouse optic on it... I used this method to hook up my pole 2 cab wheel....



http://home.austin.rr.com/poocher/mousewheel.jpg

the optic that was on this wheel had two optics (made into one piece)  one for left and one for right

[cw]

The mouse is mounted using hotglue and a ziptie....I know what your thinking but it holds just fine and i found no other way to hold the optics in just the right spot.  I would try gutting a few mice to find one with the optics in a good spot  (the one i used was an older model mitsumi  

[ThePunk]

Hmmm....
I was hoping for a simpler solution than gutting mice, and hot glue...

THis may require additional research.

[Zeitgeist]

Hmmm....
I was hoping for a simpler solution than gutting mice, and hot glue...

THis may require additional research.

That's just what I did for the spinner on my stand alone Tron panel.
Seems to work just fine.
If you are concerned as to weather the hotglue will do the trick or not, I did this almost two years ago & its still intact.
I have yet to complete the box for this thing to rest upon however so it just sits on a couple of 2x4 scaps that I had laying around.

[u_rebelscum]

I have a feeling this has been discussed, but I can't find info no matter what I search for.

Here's my question. Can the origional 4 pin optics board be easily used in conjunction with a optipac?

I briefly looked over the sample circuit on the ultimarc site, and compared it with the sprint board, but they're certainly wired differently.

I thought these boards worked fine with optipac set to active HIGH, but can't fine the refs ATM.

[Lilwolf]

As a quick note.

Why not scrap all the original and just get a Oscar hacked mouse (real nice hack btw) and a Oscar optic board?

You have to room to place it.  Would be the easiest.

But you can test the oscar hack out on the original, and have an extra optic board laying around if you need.

[ThePunk]

I thought these boards worked fine with optipac set to active HIGH, but can't fine the refs ATM.

You would be correct. Direct plug and play.
Wired as follows:From the top of the board from left to right:
left=X1 or X2
2nd pin=+5V
3rd pin=Gnd
right pin=opposite of left pin (X1 or X2)

Works perfect! Now I can get on to rigging the pot based sprint pedals to the dualstrike...I can almost feel the authentic game of championship sprint coming on!

Thanks for the help.

[cw]

thats cool that it works with the ipac.... good thing i didnt toss mine ......... but the point was to not have an encoder and keep down the cost of the cab.... and is that peddle run with a 100k or 10 k pot?  if its a 100k pot just hack a 15 pin gameport cable and use it as a joystick axis ....

[ThePunk]

I'm doing the dualstrike pedal hack for 2 reasons.
I can use one controller to hack 2 pedals, and it's USB.