Omni2 joystick gets stuck on left microswitch

[crumbb]

Hello all. I'm just starting in the hobby and I've knocked together a quick and dirty control panel so I can make lots of mistakes before I move on to bigger and more expensive mistakes 

Anyway, I picked up an Omni2 stick from GGG (who I'm very happy with BTW) and I love the quick switching between 4-way and 8-way. The problem is that if I move the stick left and then let it center, the microswitch stays pressed. The other 3 switches will release when the stick is centered, but the left one gets stuck. A tiny movement to the right will get the stick to center, but this is causing lots of Ms. Pac Man and Metal Slug deaths. 

I've fiddled around with it a bit, but I don't want to damage the stick, so I'm looking for input. Do I need to replace the microswitch? Bend the metal piece that touches the bottom of the stick? Shave off some of the material from the ring at the base of the stick? Send it back to GGG? Any advice or help would be appreciated.

[GeoMan]

It is probably a faulty microswitch. I had one in my MagStickPlus, causing the stick to lock to the right most of the time.

[crumbb]

Thanks. I just wanted to check here in case it was something easy to fix before I contact GGG.

[StragoRx]

I have the same issue

See my post http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,134110.msg1382329.html#msg1382329

I was instructed, after lubing to remove a certain washer in the joy-stick which did not help much.

After talking to Randy, he took a look at it for me and said it was an issue with switch adjustment, and is gonna do the minor fix and send it back.

[crumbb]

Thanks for the link. My search skills failed me.

I can get some lubricant to try that, but what do I put it on? The stick shaft? The micro switch? Remember I'm new around here. 

[PL1]

Lube the pivot point ball-joint.

RandyT uses SuperLube (available at Harbor Freight or on Amazon) applied in a thin coat.



Another (more expensive) option is Molykote44.


Scott

[RandyT]

Bend the metal piece that touches the bottom of the stick?

This is the correct course of action.  I'm assuming that yours has the stock switches.  These are very tight to the actuator by default. It seems that once the stick is put into use, the centering finds a home which is just inside the actuation release point of one of the switches.  A simple adjustment of the metal lever will correct it.

I now tweak theses switches a bit before shipping, and all units shipped in the last year are pre-lubed with with the "Super Lube" pointed out by PL1, so there shouldn't be any issues moving forward.

RandyT

[crumbb]

Thanks Randy. I was hoping you would see my post here since you seem to be very responsive on these boards. I will try bending the lever a bit and see where that gets me. I love the stick otherwise. Should I remove the restriction plate first or can I leave it on?

[RandyT]

 It's usually not necessary to remove the plate.  Just use a thin screwdriver, or anything else which is narrow and rigid enough to get to the switch blade with.  Push it all the way back until it hits the switch body, and then push a little more until it bends slightly.  Do this a little at a time, as you don't want to tweak it too far.  If you do, it's not the end of the world, but you will need to remove the restrictor plate to go back the other way.