taking the plunge - 4/8 auto switching joysticks

[tony.silveira]

hey guys,

i ordered my servo/control board and 2 omni2 sticks so i can try the auto switching 4/8 joystick mod.  this'll be my first try at adding automation to my cab and i'm a bit nervous; always like to have a good hand holding my first time out on something new.

from everything i've read, the easiest way is for me to use JoyChoose by DaOldMan as a plug in for Mala.  I'll switch to Mala if i have to but am really not looking forward to setting up a new FE.  i'm currently using mamewah and am hoping that JoyChoose can be launched via command line.  is there any hope?

thanks all, wish me luck!

[DaOld Man]

Sorry man, but since joychoose is a mala plugin, it will only work with mala.

Looking forward to seeing your work. Any automation project gets my attention.
You might get more noticed by the automation heads if you post in the automation forum, or at least put a link to this thread over there.

[tony.silveira]

thanks oldman!  this being my first automation, i'm not doing anything special other than getting my feet wet.  i need to get those two center sticks on my panel to auto rotate.  i tried playing assault with my two trigger stick magnetic hack and it was unplayable.  until i realized the sticks needed to be 4 way.

if all goes well, i'll be trying something a bit more unique

[RetroBorg]

Look forward to following this project, you will be surprised at how easy this is to do.

[tony.silveira]

i hope so, fingers crossed.

while i'm at it, i might as well ask.  anyone know of a place to get a used/cheap actuator?  the kind that darth paul used in his cab to push out his pedals?  darth p mentioned to me in a pm that he got his used for about $15 a piece.  the ones he is using with a 4" throw would be perfect for the second bit i want to do automated but i seriously dont want to spend $100 for a new actuator.

thanks

[DaOld Man]

Ask Darthpaul, I think he had a few extra, he might be willing to part with.

[Le Chuck]

Can't wait to see your progress.

[tony.silveira]

checked with dpaul, he has a couple but is savuing them for a future project.

le chuck, dont go getting to excited to see my progress.  the things i am adding to my panel are more proof of concepts and just to see if i can do them.  when i get around to rebuilding either my cab or panel, then i'll start taking notes on teh new project.

i keep adding features and what not to the panel after the fact, it's beginning to look a bit frankensteinish on the inside.  so i'm torn, make a new panel now, add the bells and whistles or, wait until i do my new cab from scratch

[PL1]

this'll be my first try at adding automation to my cab

Umm, what about that pop-up/flip-over keypad you were working on? 


Scott

[BadMouth]

so i'm torn, make a new panel now, add the bells and whistles or, wait until i do my new cab from scratch

Get all the bugs worked out on your current cab or a mock-up first.
Then use what you learn to design the new one, instead of building the new one and having to modify it.

[tony.silveira]

this'll be my first try at adding automation to my cab

Umm, what about that pop-up/flip-over keypad you were working on? 


Scott

you remembered!  it's on the backburner.  i think i will have to save that bit for when i redo my panel.  i dont want to just cut into my current panel to do that as i feel the lines will need to be exact for the flip over panel.  hopefully i'll be able to start the new panel top in 2-4 weeks.  here is my list of what i want to do:

1. auto 4/8 sticks - current panel (parts on order)
2. 8 flush mount LED's around each stick, light up to show player if game is 4/8 way - new panel (parts on hand)
3. flip over  keypads (also potential flip over micro keyboard) - new panel (parts on hand)
4. actuator to push out my spinner for driving games - current panel (need actuator)
5. motorcycle handlebar (got this from unclet) add on, like my star wars yoke - new panel

i could do #5 on my current panel but i have a thought (that would also make me redo my star wars yoke) on how to better handle the plug in attachments.  currently, i have the sidewinder hack installed in my star wars yoke.  for that and the motorcycle handlebars, i want to have the sidewinder hacks inside my control panel.  then i want to mount a vga connector, centered towards the top, on my panel that sidewinder hacks will be wired to.  then, each attachment (star wars, motorcycle) will have a vga connector on the bottom.  when i pop the add-on on, the vga's should connect.

i'm thinking of doing it this way because i want my system and mame to always "see" the controllers plugged in.  that way i can avoid the system assigning a different controller ID each time i plug something in

ugh, so many ideas, so little time...