I would really like an...

[tmasman]

X-Arcade encoder!!!
I emailed their support "team" and they said

We do not have any available at this time, but may have them some time in the future once again. Please keep checking back.

Does anybody here have one I can get my hands on?  I don't really want the whole controller. I'm building a "stand-alone" pedestal for all my systems, hooked to a projector.

I already have all the plans I need & I have X-Box, PS2, DC, Nintendo GC...
I just want the encoder! (I can get my hands on all the converters, but if you've got those too let's make a deal!)

Thanks!

~ tmasman

[hyiu]

you know.... you can also hack a ps2 controller....

(if you're good in soldering.... after your hack, the ctrller is still go for playing....)

then with the PSX > to > whatever adaptor....

you'll have the same thing as the x-arcade....

ps: I would recommend hacking a madatz pad....
original psx pad is hard to hack....

[mod]

you can check my post in this thread...
this is what I did.... heee hee....

http://www.arcadecontrols.org/yabbse/index.php?board=1;action=display;threadid=10776;start=msg82508#msg82508
[/mod]

[Malachai]

PS2 gamepad hack and adapters would probally be cheaper too.  You have to buy adapters anyway for the X-arcade, and they are $30 + ship!  $10 for 2 gamepads is way better (IMHO) than $100 for an X-arcade encoder.  Just my $.02  

[tmasman]

yeah...
I recently won an auction for 4 PS controllers ($15 w/ shipping) but there are no good places to solder to.

I guess I'm gonna try soldering to the traces.
Anyone have any advice on doing this?

I first tried drilling a hole & sticking the wire through & soldering... that definately didn't work. (I think my hole was just too big though). I'm gonna try again tonight I think...m I'll let you know how bad I screw it up later.

[SirPeale]

I first tried drilling a hole & sticking the wire through & soldering... that definately didn't work. (I think my hole was just too big though).

Use what's called a 'wire bit.'  Teeny tiny little drill bits, just for this purpose.  Available at most hardware stores, but you'll probably have to ask for them.

And when I say 'hardwares stores' I don't mean Home Depot.  Go somewhere local.

[tmasman]

 
I actually had al lot of luck soldering the wires to the PCB!!!
I tinned the wires & heated the metal spots on the PCB & it worked great!!!
I'm kinda excited now. I got all the directions &  buttons (& start, select) done. Now I just need to get the shoulder buttons & wire this bad boy into another test box.

I had soldered to other metal parts, and to existing solder points before, but this was the first time I soldered directly to the PCB.

(Yes I know I still need to test all the connections to double check for any "overlap" to other traces).

I'll take pics tonight. I'm just so proud of myself...
(I know, I know... I'm full of myself at the moment)

[Lilwolf]

Soldering seems to be an art (an art that I haven't perfected... but getting closer)

1) Always presolder the wire.  Its amazing how much this helps.

even if you have a whole to put it in... push the wire through to the other side and presolder the wire.

2) Heat the solder on the wire.. and apply...  

If in a whole... just bring it back... and move it in/out to get a little solder on both sides.

Talking about that... I need to go and finish hacking a few controllers...

[tmasman]

yeah... I'm learning as I'm going... Soldering was pretty easy once I got the hang of it. I even got to play with my desoldering braid... That stuff is pretty cool! It just sucked the solder right off the pins! It worked a lot better than I had expected it to.

I finished soldering & checked all my connections last night & they all seem to secure & not crossing over any of the other traces... I've got a box top with the buttons mounted in it too... I've just gotta finish up putting the quick disconnects on the wires so I can test it out on the PS2.

Since X-Arcade isn't selling their encoders anymore, I'm just going to try & use these PS hacks for everything. I just need to get my hands on the converters now.

I'll try & get some pics of my soldering job (& a few other things I promised in other threads) tonight.  I'm kinda proud of myself.  

Thanks for the help/conversations guys!

[Malachai]

I'll take pics tonight. I'm just so proud
of myself...
(I know, I know... I'm full of myself at the moment)

I'm proud of you too!  

[tmasman]

here's my handy work...

Anybody else need something soldered?
2 Keyboard hacks & a PS hack so far...