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cheapy 'Zero Delay' USB encoder
InfantSorrow:
--- Quote from: yotsuya on February 24, 2014, 02:43:43 pm ---
--- Quote from: InfantSorrow on February 22, 2014, 04:19:15 am ---Technically, an ipac is $40 solution to a $5 problem.
--- End quote ---
And it works right out of the box, without any extra software, diodes, coding, figthing, forum posts, etc. :cheers:
I've used many kinds of encoders (Zero Delay), and will stick with the I-Pac. My time and relaxation level is worth $40.
--- End quote ---
lol touché.
BUT we only need to figure this out ONCE.. then it will be forever documented in the minds of our guru brethren.
We shall battle forth and never give up! lol
On a side note, I joined this family about 3 days ago. I was a junior member up until yesterday, today I see I have been promoted to full membership lol
What are my benefits? Do members have 'stripper Fridays'? Champagne room passes? lol
Edit: Also, I must add that this cheapy USB encoder did exactly what it claims to do. It works well and took me 2 mins to setup with the buttons and arcade joystick.
So, for the price ($10) I think its an excellent alternative if we can get one of the button terminals to pick up the coin mech, which theoretically should be easy.
The NO state of the pulse wire should mimic the NO state of a button. When you press the button, it closes the circuit, just like when you drop a coin it should close the circuit.
That is how I analysed it anyways lol
Another thing, there is no software required with the encoder. Windows just picks up a joystick.
You should try it once, its only $10.
InfantSorrow:
--- Quote from: melvinbates on February 24, 2014, 01:38:40 pm ---I have one of those zero delay boards (got it from Vigo back in the day) I'll check it out and see if I can shed any light on how to solve this.
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Melvin, that would be much appreciated.
I did not think this final coin mech hurdle would take me that long when setting up the buttons and joystick was so quick.
yotsuya:
--- Quote from: InfantSorrow on February 24, 2014, 02:49:02 pm ---That is how I analysed it anyways lol
Another thing, there is no software required with the encoder. Windows just picks up a joystick.
You should try it once, its only $10.
--- End quote ---
I have used it, a couple of times even for small projects. For a full-size cab, I'll spend the extra $30, thank you. There are some front ends that really work better with a straight keystroke as opposed to a game pad.
melvinbates:
I think the hurdle you are running into is the fact the the coin mech. is powered. I haven't checked yet, but I'm fairly certain that the way the ZD works is by having the button lines pulled up to 4.5V like you saw on your meter and when a button is pressed it sinks the current, causing it to drop to 0v. So the method of activation for the button on the ZD is different than what the coin mech is trying to do. We may be able to overcome this by using a simple npn transistor as a go between. I'll give it a try when I get home, but you would just need a simple general purpose npn transistor. Hook the black wire from the zd to the collector, the red wire to the emitter, and hook the signal wire from your mech to the base of the transistor. I think that should work, if my assumptions are correct... But, I'll check it when i get home.
InfantSorrow:
--- Quote from: melvinbates on February 24, 2014, 03:27:44 pm ---I think the hurdle you are running into is the fact the the coin mech. is powered. I haven't checked yet, but I'm fairly certain that the way the ZD works is by having the button lines pulled up to 4.5V like you saw on your meter and when a button is pressed it sinks the current, causing it to drop to 0v. So the method of activation for the button on the ZD is different than what the coin mech is trying to do. We may be able to overcome this by using a simple npn transistor as a go between. I'll give it a try when I get home, but you would just need a simple general purpose npn transistor. Hook the black wire from the zd to the collector, the red wire to the emitter, and hook the signal wire from your mech to the base of the transistor. I think that should work, if my assumptions are correct... But, I'll check it when i get home.
--- End quote ---
Thanks Melvin. Give it a go and let me know.
And if you get it working, take some pics of the setup please. Coz I still might muck it up lol
Edit: Also, you are correct about the ZD button presses, just tested it now. When checking the voltage of the unpressed button, it shows 4.5v. When the is button pressed, it drops to 0v.
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