| Software Support > Automated Projects |
| Automated 4/8way switching joystick control *Updated with pics & video* |
| << < (4/4) |
| ArcadeSeeker962:
--- Quote from: DaOld Man on May 09, 2012, 06:58:48 am ---If you dont have a mutimeter you can use a potato to check polarity: http://www.cbv.ns.ca/bec/martin/sci42.html I highly suggest you pick up a cheap multimeter and learn how to use it. They are very handy and almost a must have in this hobby. --- End quote --- I'm actually planning on buying a multimeter along with everything else I need for this project. All of the money I save up in the summer will be put towards all of the controls for the control panel, along with everything I need to automate the joysticks on the control panel. Thank you again, Le Chuck, for answering my questions. I just have four more questions to ask, and then if I need more help, I'll go on the Polulu forums or contact Polulu. 1). Is it recommended to use a PS/2-powered control panel in conjunction with automated Joysticks? 2). I read on the link to the webpage that darthpaul gave me that "Units can be daisy-chained with additional Pololu servo and motor controllers on a single serial line.". Does that mean that the channel 6 servo controllers are compatible with Daisy Chain wires, and then use one USB cable to connect them to a PC? If so, does Pololu sell them or would I have to buy them elsewhere? 3). Is it recommended to plug the AC Adapter directly into an outlet in the wall, or can it be plugged into a surge protector as well? If not, would a surge protector produce too much amounts of Volts and Amps for automated joysticks? 4). Is the "tip" of an AC Adapter where the round-colored circle is at the end of the connection(such as the black circle over the metal tube at the top of the one that I posted the link to)? |
| Le Chuck:
1). Is it recommended to use a PS/2-powered control panel in conjunction with automated Joysticks? Most computers have multiple USB ports, no reason not to use USB. No reason not to use PS/2 either. Flip a coin, do what you like, I use USB for all. YMMV. 2). I read on the link to the webpage that darthpaul gave me that "Units can be daisy-chained with additional Pololu servo and motor controllers on a single serial line.". Does that mean that the channel 6 servo controllers are compatible with Daisy Chain wires, and then use one USB cable to connect them to a PC? If so, does Pololu sell them or would I have to buy them elsewhere? Daisy Chain is a colloquial term for wiring in series. One can also wire in parallel. To explain: Series would mean that both servos are plugged into the same control port on the servo controller. Whatever you tell servo one to do servo two will do the same. Wire in parallel means that servo two has a separate port on the servo controller board so servo one and servo two can act independently of each other. They are not compatible with "daisy chain wires" as this is a way to run a wiring harness for your micro switches. You have no need use or benefit to be gained from wiring in series. Wire your servos in parallel. 3). Is it recommended to plug the AC Adapter directly into an outlet in the wall, or can it be plugged into a surge protector as well? If not, would a surge protector produce too much amounts of Volts and Amps for automated joysticks? The surge protector carries the same voltage as whatever it is plugged in. That AC adapter has a built in voltage regulator which decreases what's in your wall or surge protector down to the advertised amount. Surge protector is fine. 4). Is the "tip" of an AC Adapter where the round-colored circle is at the end of the connection(such as the black circle over the metal tube at the top of the one that I posted the link to)? The tip is the terminal end, farthest from the wall plugs. The entire end will need to be chopped leaving you two bare wires. |
| ArcadeSeeker962:
Thank you for answering my questions again, Le Chuck. For now, I'll just study into this on my own. I'm going for the Opti-Pac, so I'm sure that will work just fine for automating the Joysticks on my control panel. |
| darthpaul:
The Opti-pac, is used for trackballs and spinners, not the type of joysticks you will be using, you would need something like the Ultimarc Ipac 2 to connect your Joysticks. The Servos and Servo Controller have nothing to do with how the Joysticks interact with MAME, all they are going to do is push a lever on the bottom of the joystick to change it from 4way to 8way and back. |
| ArcadeSeeker962:
--- Quote from: darthpaul on May 10, 2012, 07:34:12 pm ---The Opti-pac, is used for trackballs and spinners, not the type of joysticks you will be using, you would need something like the Ultimarc Ipac 2 to connect your Joysticks. The Servos and Servo Controller have nothing to do with how the Joysticks interact with MAME, all they are going to do is push a lever on the bottom of the joystick to change it from 4way to 8way and back. --- End quote --- I'm understanding this concept more now, thank you for clearing that up for me. I actually decided on the I-Pac for my control panel instead(that's what I meant to say). I apologize for causing confusion. |
| Navigation |
| Message Index |
| Previous page |