Control panel issues

[Knightlore]

Well, I've just wired up my 2 player control panel.  I'm using 2x U360's, 13 LED Button (1xCoin and 12 player buttons) - wired up to a Pacdrive, 2x normal buttons (P1&P2).

I'm getting the issue : Run-Time error 457 "this key is already associated with this element of collection", when running Ultramap software.

Now going into the Windows control panel and looking at each joystick here's how it stands :

Player 1 joystick "moves" slightly around the centre a bit like shaking.  None of the player 1 buttons work.

Player 2 joystick seems to move around fine, without problems and about 3 of the buttons work.  (i.e you can see them being depressed in the windows configuration software).

Now, is this likely to be because of bad wiring? (as far as I can see it is all wired up correctly), or is this because I have as yet been unable to run the Ultramap software and assign Id's etc?

I'm just trying to figure this out before taking out the control panel and re-soldering etc.

[Knightlore]

Okay quick update :

Sorted the error message, got the software working.  Both joysticks are working fine.

Buttons on the other hand are a different story.

None of the player 1 buttons are working at all. 

3/6 of the player 2 buttons are working, one is just on constantly.

The coin button works fine.

I have yet to find out how to make sure the joysticks are in input mode - maybe that will sort the player 1 buttons?

Can anyone tell me how to check this please, I can't seem to find anything on the ultimarc site.

[drventure]

Sounds like you may have

1) a bad ground line (for the p1 buttons that all aren't working)
2) a short (for the one button that's stuck on)

I'd disconnect and test for continuity and good connections to the ipac (or whatever keyboard controller you're using).

[Knightlore]

Thanks for the reply.  I'm not using a keyboard controller, I'm using the U360's for buttons. 

I've resolved it (THANK GOD!!).  Took the control panel apart, the first button that wasn't working, was a dud microswitch (it was just stuck in) so I unsoldered and replaced that.  The second, I had been a bit slapdash with the soldering and melted the plastic surrounding the contact, which meant that one bit of the microswitch was touching another metal bit - replaced that.

The second player where none of the buttons were working was a massive "DOH!" after wracking my brains at the birdsnest before me, I noticed a stray ground lead that I hadn't soldered.

After beating myself repeately with a raw herring (naked).  I've soldered it on and it's working fine.

In summary - mostly my fault with a sprinkle of faulty microswitch but no harm done.

[drventure]

Awesome. Usually button stuff is just that, missed wire, or wonky switch.

Now, USB problems? Ugh, that's what I'm fighting now, and it's a whole different story 

[Knightlore]

Awesome. Usually button stuff is just that, missed wire, or wonky switch.

Now, USB problems? Ugh, that's what I'm fighting now, and it's a whole different story 

Using U360's?

[drventure]

Yes, 2 of them, plus a whole lot more usb devices....

Lessee

2 - u360s
1 - Logitech Flightstick
2 - Happ Trackballs
1- Spin track spinner
2 - Rockband guitar controllers
1 - Rockband drum controller
1 - IPac4
3 - LEDWizs
2 - PS2 dance pad controllers

2 - 7 port hubs
1 - 10 port hub
1 - 4 port hub

It's a beast.

The main snags are that the Guitar controllers and the u360s will often just "unplug" (ie they act as though they've been unplugged but their still plugged in).

I'm thinking I've got an overcurrent situation on a hub, but I've double checked all the hubs (they're all powered with plenty big enough ps's).

Frustrating because I can't seem to get things stable. Everything works, for a while, but then things will just start "not working", and a reboot fixes it, but... yuck.

[Knightlore]

WOW that is indeed a beast.

Wish I could help you dude, I'm sure I did read something on these forums about conflicts with U360's and other Usb devices but I'm guessing that was your first port of call.

Hope you get it sorted.

[Knightlore]

Just a quick question actually, all my LED's are on constantly on my button's.  And don't change when pressed. Is this normal until I use something like LED blinky, etc?

I'm using a Pacdrive to power them.

[Nephasth]

Paradise sells these (small wire harness pictured) to turn off the LED on button press for this style of button/LED combo:


If you don't use that style, you can wire your LED ground to the NC contact of its button's microswitch which will open the ground when pressed thus turning off the LED (if you have your LEDs wired to a constant power source, not sure if it works when using an LED controller). Picture shows the basic idea.

EDIT: Didn't see you were using a PacDrive, nevermind.

[Knightlore]

Paradise sells these (small wire harness pictured) to turn off the LED on button press for this style of button/LED combo:


If you don't use that style, you can wire your LED ground to the NC contact of its button's microswitch which will open the ground when pressed thus turning off the LED. Picture shows the basic idea.

Thanks for the help.  I've got ultimarc's buttons/Pacdrive.  I've just wired up using thier chart - I haven't got the strength to re-wire the control panel again - took me hours!  Is there absolutely no way of doing it via software? 

[drventure]

As far as I know, there's no software only way to get the buttons to light or dim when pressed. The only solutions I can remember for this involve a circuit at each button (I've seen some where the buttons light up when you press them).

[Knightlore]

As far as I know, there's no software only way to get the buttons to light or dim when pressed. The only solutions I can remember for this involve a circuit at each button (I've seen some where the buttons light up when you press them).

Ahh okay, maybe I'll leave that for this build.

I assume you can still get the front end to show you what buttons are for what games?

[drventure]

Yep. LEDBlinky will do that no probs, assuming you've got each button wired to an individual port on your led controller.

[Knightlore]

Yep. LEDBlinky will do that no probs, assuming you've got each button wired to an individual port on your led controller.

Excellent.  Yes, each button has an individual port. 

I will get to work on finishing this cab!

[Nephasth]

Yep. LEDBlinky will do that no probs, assuming you've got each button wired to an individual port on your led controller.

Sweet. Did a quick read on the LEDBlinky site, but didn't catch that.