Gas pedal questions

[LucasBuck]

I'm looking to update my mame machine, and was thinking about adding a gas pedal for games like Spyhunter and APB. Would I just get something like a U-Hid and a 5 pot pedal? Is it hard to setup in mame, or does it just pick it up as an analog control?

If my thinking is correct, I was wondering:
1 - Would I just need a U-Hid nano?
2 - Most of the pedals I've found are around $100. Is there something cheaper? I did find an old pole position pedal for $20, but didn't know if that would work the same and how many working parts there are in them to go bad.

Thanks for any tips!

[BadMouth]

by 5 pot pedal, I assume you mean 5k pot pedal?
A U-HID would be the correct interface for it.

It's a bit more trouble, but if you're using an old computer that has a gameport, you could swap out the pot for a 100k one and wire it direct to the gameport.

$100 is waaaaay too much for a single pedal.
$20 sounds about right.  Nothing in them to go bad except a spring and a pot. 
If the pot in it is bad, you can get a replacement from radio shack for $3.

It's easy to set up in MAME, just make sure you don't map anything to PEDAL INC and PEDAL DEC.
Those aren't supposed to be mapped to analogue controls, they are for buttons or keys being substituted for analogue controls.

For most games, you'll have to go into the service menu of the game to calibrate it (default mapping is F2 to enter service menu).
There are a few old games where you have to flip a dip switch in the MAME menu (TAB) to get to service mode.

[PL1]

A U-HID would be the correct interface for it.

BadMouth - Isn't an A-Pac another option?


Scott

[BadMouth]

A U-HID would be the correct interface for it.

BadMouth - Isn't an A-Pac another option?


Scott

I was thinking that it was now superceded by the U-HID nano, but after checking the website, it is still available.
Yep, it would be another option.  A little more expensive, but more inputs and probably easier setup.

[JODY]

Used pedals are usually easy to get cheap on Ebay.  Can clean them up, paint if needed, and can replace the pot if needed.

[LucasBuck]

Thanks for all the great info! Couple quick questions:
1 - What makes the A-pac an easier setup? I wouldn't mind paying a little more if it's easier.
2 - If you don't map it to pedal, what do you map it to?
3 - I've never had to mess with the service menu. Does mame remember the settings, or do you have to do it each time?

Thanks again!

[BadMouth]

Thanks for all the great info! Couple quick questions:
1 - What makes the A-pac an easier setup? I wouldn't mind paying a little more if it's easier.
2 - If you don't map it to pedal, what do you map it to?
3 - I've never had to mess with the service menu. Does mame remember the settings, or do you have to do it each time?

Thanks again!

1- The A-Pac has inputs specifically for the pots.  It gets plugged in and shows up as a game controller. 
     Since the U-HID handles multiple types of input, you have to install the U-HID software and tell it which pins will have pots connected.

2- There are 3 mappings for every pedal.  PEDAL#, PEDAL INC, and PEDAL DEC.  Only map PEDAL# to the analogue input.
     PEDAL INC and PEDAL DEC are for when using buttons in place of an analogue pedal.
     If you map an analogue gas pedal to PEDAL INC, the car will behave as if the gas pedal is an on/off switch which defeats the purpose of having analogue controls.

3 - MAME will save the settings in the service menu.  You only have to do it once.

You'll also probably want to adjust the sensetivity under analogue inputs in the MAME menu (TAB).
If the pedal works backwards, it can be reversed in that menu also.
Ignore any settings in that menu that say "digital".
Those have no effect on analogue controls, only button presses when they are substituted for analogue controls.

Just get in there and mess around with it until you figure out how stuff works.
You'll get a much better understanding of it that way.

[LucasBuck]

Thanks again!

[DeLuSioNal29]

I may have a gas pedal in my garage in my old PP arcade (it's empty).  I'll take a look this week and let you know.  PM me.

DeLuSioNaL29