Automated 4/8way switching joystick control *Updated with pics & video*

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Le Chuck:
1). If I mess up taking apart the Ultimarc Mag-stik, would you recommend buying a few more of the same product just in case?

No. Just don't use a hammer to take it apart. Go slow and any pieces you aren't actively using put in a ziplock bag so they don't get lost. You'll do fine.

2). How does the servo attach to the Ultimarc Mag-Stik?

Please check out DarthPaul's and Terrahwk's threads.

What you have here is an actuating arm attached to the lever on the magstick plus. I'd do it just like this.

3). Where's the best place to buy 1/16 x 1/2 aluminum bar stock?

Home Depot and Lowes both carry this product. Hardware aisle in the same bin as all the sheet metal and angle stock

4). Does everything plug right in to the Channel 6 servo controller?

Yup

5). Is it compatible with the Mini-Pac?

The magstick is, it is a micro switch controlled joystick and you hook it up just as you would any other joystick. The servo communicates through the servo controller. You communicate with the servo controller through some very simple batch files.

6). How do I figure out their power requirements?

It's written in the description on the polulu page. Any recommended servo (via the wiki, my build, Darth's and Terrahawks) all use 5v. You can get 5v from USB but it's not that reliable on some computers so I recommend using a cheap powered USB hub or if you have an ATX power supply just grab your 5v from there.

7). How does the Maestro Control Center work together with Joychoose?

Joychoose can run exe or bat files. You will write two batch files. One that puts the controller into 4 way and one for 8 way. You will save these in a folder and then use the Joychoose setup menu to tell Joychoose where they are. Then when you select the game joychoose will execute the appropriate file.

8 ). Is JoyChoose only compatible with MaLa? Or can it work with Game Ex as well?

Right now it's MALA unless DaOld Man tells me I'm wrong.

Check out the wiki, it's a different joystick but everything else will be the same.

http://wiki.arcadecontrols.com/wiki/4way_to_8way_Auto-switching_Joystick_Mod

ArcadeSeeker962:
Thank you for answering my questions, Le Chuck. I checked out the threads and wiki pages that you linked me to, and it helped me understand how this works. Now I just have some more questions to ask.

1). To plug my parts into a servo 6 controller, would I just have to buy some Joystick/Pushbutton wire harness-to-servo converter wire, or would a ordinary wiring harness from another online store be able to hook up a Joystick/Push Button to a servo controller?

2). Where can I buy an actuating arm from?

3). How do I make batch files? Could you refer to a thread or tutorial on how to make batch files? Do I have to make a batch file for each type of file(exe and bat)?

4). Would you recommend buying the parts I need first to practice making an automated joystick control panel before making the arcade cabinet itself?

5). Where can I buy the positive and negative wires individually, that are soldered onto the automated joystick?

6). Would you recommend only buying the servo that darthpaul used, or will any servo work(as long as it includes the wires attached to it(like the one the darthpaul listed)?

7). If I decide to buy the Groovy Game Gear Omni Stick II, will I have to install a worm gear into the restrictor gate(like what the theory was in the wiki) in order to automate the joystick, or don't I need one to automate the Groovy Game Gear Omni Stick II?

8 ). I'm using a Belkin USB device-connector(I'm not really sure what the exact term is), with multiple USB ports. The problem is that, one of the USB ports is a special USB port. There is also one red light, and four green lights for each port that light up. Would that type of USB-device connector work with an automated control panel?

9). If the answer to question 4 is yes, for when I make a two-player control panel for my cabinet, would you recommend doubling up on servo-6 controllers?

10). Is a 6-channel USB servo controller enough for a one-player controller panel with one joystick and six buttons(like what terrahawk did), or will I need another interface to make it work correctly?

I apologize that this was more questions than last time, it's just that I want to make sure I have all the information I need before automating a joystick. Now that I know that an automated Joystick is only compatible with MaLa, I'll go ahead and switch back to MaLa.

Le Chuck:
A lot of these questions don't really make sense. I'll explain as best I can under each one. Up front tho this project can be described as DIY advanced or at least moderate and for someone with limited build experience it can be daunting.

1). To plug my parts into a servo 6 controller, would I just have to buy some Joystick/Pushbutton wire harness-to-servo converter wire, or would a ordinary wiring harness from another online store be able to hook up a Joystick/Push Button to a servo controller?

The Micro Maestro 6 CHANNEL servo controller is capable of controlling up to 6 servos at one time. You will still require a keyboard or joystick encoder like the Minipac to interface with your buttons and joys. The servo comes with the required cables to hook up to the servo controller if you get them both from polulu.

2). Where can I buy an actuating arm from?

You will need to make your own for this application, at this time there is no comercial source available as this is not an off the shelf modification. I made mine from aluminum bar stock. The servo will come with some small actuating arms that you will attach to the aluminum one you make.

3). How do I make batch files? Could you refer to a thread or tutorial on how to make batch files? Do I have to make a batch file for each type of file(exe and bat)?

A bat is a batch file. Google is your friend. First read the wiki on batch files and there are lots of how to's but the code shown above in this thread is a batch file. All you do is drop that code into Notepad and save as [Name].bat then the file will be executable by double clicking.

4). Would you recommend buying the parts I need first to practice making an automated joystick control panel before making the arcade cabinet itself?

Nah, you're not going to give up on having an arcade cabinet if you can't get this so go ahead and start your build. If it doesn't work out you've still got the Magsticks that you can switch by reaching through a coin door or lifting up your CP if it's hinged.

5). Where can I buy the positive and negative wires individually, that are soldered onto the automated joystick?

A wire is not positive or negative, it is only a wire. It carries the charge of whatever you hook it up to. Radio shack has spools of wire, go get some 18 or 20 gauge. Some people like to have + as red and neutral or ground as black. I just wire everything the same color but I'm experienced with wiring so don't have a hard time keeping track on small scale projects.

6). Would you recommend only buying the servo that darthpaul used, or will any servo work(as long as it includes the wires attached to it(like the one the darthpaul listed)?

I think Darth and I used the same servo. It is relatively inexpensive and has been shown to work. Feel free to strike out on your own but why reinvent the wheel?

7). If I decide to buy the Groovy Game Gear Omni Stick II, will I have to install a worm gear into the restrictor gate(like what the theory was in the wiki) in order to automate the joystick, or don't I need one to automate the Groovy Game Gear Omni Stick II?

No, my Omni two is currently hooked up as shown in the wiki and works very well. The worm gear is the proposed evolutionary step of this mod. Eventually the idea is that the joystick has the worm gear and motor build in with limit switches so that the joystick can be sold as a self contained autorotating unit that only requires 5v axillary power. That's the future tho man, that's head in the clouds stuff. We're not there yet. Come back to earth with us.

8 ). I'm using a Belkin USB device-connector(I'm not really sure what the exact term is), with multiple USB ports. The problem is that, one of the USB ports is a special USB port. There is also one red light, and four green lights for each port that light up. Would that type of USB-device connector work with an automated control panel?

Do you have to plug it into the wall with a power cord or does it draw power from the USB port? If from the port then no, it's not going to provide you enough juice. If from the wall it "should" I'd tell you to check it with a multimeter but I'm guessing you don't know how to use one and the multimeter is not a tool that should be used lightly as you can do serious damage to yourself and equipment by using it improperly. Turn the belkin over and on the bottom it should have a data plate that describes what the output is.

9). If the answer to question 4 is yes, for when I make a two-player control panel for my cabinet, would you recommend doubling up on servo-6 controllers?

No, you only need one Maestro servo controller. It can control multiple servos. If you plan right and get everything lined up you don't even need two servos, you can just run the arm from one joystick to the other. Note that the longer your arm the weaker your servo so plan well or just get a second servo.

10). Is a 6-channel USB servo controller enough for a one-player controller panel with one joystick and six buttons(like what terrahawk did), or will I need another interface to make it work correctly?

It has no impact on how many buttons or joysticks you have. It only talks to servos. If you have more than six servos on your cp then DarthPaul wants blueprints. You will not need anything other than what is described in Darth's post and the wiki, which aside from the joystick used are identical.

DaOld Man:

--- Quote from: Le Chuck on May 06, 2012, 09:18:55 pm ---...
Right now it's MALA unless DaOld Man tells me I'm wrong.
....

--- End quote ---

You are correct, Joychoose is a Mala plugin, and only works with Mala.

ArcadeSeeker962:
Thank you for answering my questions, Le Chuck. That helped explain things better. I really had no idea that installing a worm gear was considered a future concept. I would also like to apologize that my questions didn't make sense. I just want to make sure I have all of the information I need before assembling a control panel powered by automated controls. So I apologize for the fact that my questions were confusing. I do agree with you on "Why re-inventing the wheel". I could see how that could cause confusion. My Belkin doesn't mention anything about a power output, and it's powered by my hard drive, so I guess it doesn't qualify. I don't know how to use a multimeter, so I won't take the risk. As for my limited build experience, I'm up for the challenge of auto-mating my control panel. ;)

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