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Trackball Mouse Hack - Horizontal Axis Troubleshooting
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stimpyjoy:

--- Quote from: PL1 on August 11, 2014, 10:27:58 pm ---Viewable angle on the LEDs can be tricky-- compare the voltages on the two trackball PCBs to be more certain.

1. On the horizontal trackball PCB,  connect the black lead of your multimeter to a ground like the frame of your computer and use the red lead to check the voltages at the following points:

-- +5v should be 5v and Ground should be 0v (never hurts to double check things like this, even though they're probably not bad)

-- H1 and H2 should change between high and low as the encoder wheel turns.

2. If H1 and H2 are good, skip to step 4.

3. If H1 or H2 is bad, disconnect it somewhere between the trackball PCB and the mouse PCB and test it again.

In troubleshooting, this is sometimes referred to as "divide and conquer" or "splitting the circuit".

If the line tests good after you split the circuit, the problem is somewhere between the split point and the IC.

4. Check data line voltages at IC pins 10 and 11 -- should be the same results as step 2.

5. If one data line voltage is bad, there is a problem somewhere along the trace for that line -- clean well around all the areas you've soldered with a Q-tip/isopropyl alcohol and examine the PCB closely with a magnifying glass looking for shorts/opens.

6. If it still doesn't work, unplug the trackball (no power going to it) and use your multimeter in Ohms/continuity mode to check that you don't have:
-- an open trace
-- a short between two traces

Scott

--- End quote ---

I clearly see two purple lights through my camera on the working side, and nothing on the other board.  Still, I'm going to try these steps when I get the chance. I'm not really in a hurry to finish the project, but I'm definitely enjoying the learning process.


--- Quote from: NickG on August 12, 2014, 01:27:42 am ---
--- Quote from: stimpyjoy on August 11, 2014, 05:47:15 pm ---Thanks for the replies.  This is my absolute first foray into electronics, so please forgive my ignorance.


--- Quote from: NickG on August 11, 2014, 10:55:41 am ---looks like your H2 trace is cut, check continuity to the IC.

--- End quote ---
Can you actually see that from the photo? I'll check continuity when I get home.

--- End quote ---

Yes, in the bottom left photo it appeared to be lifted/cut near the thru-hole where you desoldered the LED.

--- End quote ---

Wow. Impressive. Having desoldered and resoldered the h2 wire last night, I may have inadvertently reconnected the trace.  I'll have to look closely tonight. Also, Scott, thanks for pointing it out in the photo.


--- Quote from: RandyT on August 12, 2014, 11:37:44 am ---Replace the PCB (might as well do both of them, but that's up to you) and it will very likely solve the problem.

--- End quote ---

I figured this would be the case. I found what looks to be a compatible board from Bob Roberts here: http://www.therealbobroberts.net/tboptic.html.

Are there any other resources I should know about as an alternative?
PL1:
Yes, the Happ A052-1011-00 (red board) is an improved replacement for the A052-1010-00. (green board)

TheRealBobRoberts carries the red boards (Atari TB optic board A052-1010/1), as do Arcadeshop (Atari/Happ Trackball Optic Board), 8-Line Superstore and Twisted Quarter.

Divemaster127 may also have some in stock.

Drop him a PM if you'd like to get them from his ArcadeEmulator.net shop -- they aren't listed on the site, but his prices are good enough compared to Happ's to make it worth asking.   ;D


Scott
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