Happ trackball to two PCBs. How?

[Bravo911]

I have a Happ 3" trackball that I wouldlike to connect to two different boards. One is an optipac, the other is a 100-in-1 pcb that came stock with the cab, which requires the trackball wired direct into the board. I have a JammaBoards.com 6way switcher I use to switch the PCBs, and I'd like to switch the trackball as well. The problem is that I don't want both PCBs to receive input at the same time, as they are both powered continuously. Can't have golden tee messing with the pc desktop. Suggestions?

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[BobA]

Only way to guaranty complete isolation would be a  mechanical switch (multi pole) or a relay.

[Bravo911]

Only way to guaranty complete isolation would be a  mechanical switch (multi pole) or a relay.

A relay is what I assumed would be best, based on my limited knowledge on electrical components, but the trackball uses 6 wires. I'm assuming a common and a ground for power, and then 2 for x axis, and 2 for y axis (+ and - for respective axes) can I get a 6 wire relay that'll switch all wires at the same time?

Actually, I guess common and ground wouldn't need to be switched, as the ball will need to be powered regardless of the active PCB, so if I ran power direct, and jumped ground to both boards, I'd only need to switch the 4 input wires via relay, correct?

 Mechanical wouldn't be suitable for what I'm looking for.

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[BobA]

I don't think you want to common the DC and ground unless they are comming from the same source.  If the USB optipac and the 100 in 1 use the same 5V it would be OK but I don't know without seeing how the power for your multiboard is wired and how the PC is wired into your multiboard.

[Bravo911]

Here's a pic of the 100 in 1 with the stock setup. The upper leftmost connector is the trackball. Ground/DC are top pins, the other 4 are input



So I'd leave the power alone, and need to put the other 4 on a relay.
Can I get one relay that'll switch all 4 inputs?
Will the inputs work on the optipac if the power and ground for the trackball aren't connected to the optipac?

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[BobA]

You can use a manual switch like this to switch 9 lines to 2 sources. 2 port serial switch

Ports
   1 input/output DB-9 female serial port
   2 DB-9 female serial ports (A and B ports)
   Use two serial devices with one system or two systems with one serial device
 
Switch
   Manual switch lever

The optipac always has 5V and ground connected from the USB connected to your computer.

Where does your 100 in 1 board get its power?  From a power supply connected to your multi jamma?
Is it a typical switching arcade supply?   If you switch all the lines you will have complete isolation and will not have any power supply problems.

[Bravo911]

The multi board has its own power brick that supplies its 12v power, not through the JAMMA connector but I do have a 12v arcade power supply powering all other PCBs (one at a time via the 6 way JAMMA switcher.)





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[BobA]

Since the optipac is 5V via the USB and your 100 in 1 board is a separate 12V it is probably OK just to switch the 4 phase wires of the trackball.   Use a switch or relay (maybe 2) to change the phase wires from multiboard to optipac.  The ground wire should be continuous from the 2 inputs and should not be switched.  If if goes poof I take no responsibility as I would recommend to switch all wires.

[Bravo911]

OK, I'll head over to the electronics supplier in a few days and see what options they have available as far as components go. Maybe there is a relay that'll switch all 6 pins for me! Thanks for your help thus far. It's been useful info. I'll keep you updated with what I find.

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[taylormadelv]

I am doing exactly the same thing myself with World Class Bowling Deluxe and Shuffleshot going to a 25" WG.
There's a few ways to do this if both boards are powered on at the same time. A 9 pin serial a/b data switch is a good way to go but you could also seperate the start buttons to the boards somehow so only one board will be operating at any one time. Good luck!

[Bravo911]

I know it would be easiest, but A manual switch just won't suit my needs. I have a 6 way JAMMA switcher that is controlled by a rf remote switch, and using a relay, or automatic method would be best.
I'm trying to keep the cabinet looking as stock and unmodified/automatic as possible, and a manual switch just blows that to hell.
I haven't had time to look into the electronics supplier as of yet, but I'll keep you updated to what I find.

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[Bravo911]

Still nothing on this issue. The guy at the electronics store had nothing to offer. Any suggestions as to how I might pull this off?

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[SteveR]

I think you can just leave the power and ground wires where they are (for powering the ball) and then use a 4PDT relay to switch between the two boards. 4PDT is probably a lot easier to find than 6PDT.

[Bravo911]

They only have 24v 4PDT relays... I'll have to source one out. Now, should I chain the ground to both boards? Thanks for the point in the right direction!

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[Mysterioii]

BTW I would recommend that whichever one you use most often be connected to the normally closed terminals on your relay.  Even if a relay is intended for continuous use I prefer to have the coils energized as infrequently as possible.  Saves a little energy too.   

[SteveR]

Now, should I chain the ground to both boards?

From what I understand the ground and power wires on the trackball are merely for providing power _to_ the trackball. So I would try just powering the ball from your primary board leaving the "ground and power" connections on your secondary board empty. Theoretically, you could power the trackball from a 3rd source.

That said, maybe someone else can inform us if the board won't accept the axis inputs without the trackball pulling power from it. I just can't imagine it'd be set up in such a way. Try wiring it up that way manually before ordering a relay to be sure.