Advice on Controlls and ID my current stick

[Dal1980]

Hi, I'm new to the forum

Just for the record, I'm new to the scene and no very little about the arcade hardware side of things although I did end up buying one a couple of years ago (full cab) I'm very interested in putting my own barcade together.

I pulled the back off (ok I unscrewed it ) and took a look at the controller board on my full cab to see if I could at least work out what system this uses and how it's put together. I believe it uses HAPP sticks (2) and I think that's as far as I got using Google images to help identify. Here's a photo of my cabinet controller board from inside.





First question is if these are 8 way sticks then why are they not wired 8 way or are they?
Secondly why does 8 way even exist if a joystick generally works from two key presses up and left for up-left? I mean its just a replication of cursor keys is it not?
Third question, although these sticks are a little stiff and noisy (click,click,click,click,click,click...  ) they seem all right but maybe I'd like something a better on my next barcade, any recommendations please?
Lastly Do I need a light on the joystick/lit up joystick?

Many thanks

[PL1]

Welcome aboard, Dal1980.   

I believe it uses HAPP sticks (2) and I think that's as far as I got using Google images to help identify.

Impossible to tell from those pictures, but have you looked at Happ Competition sticks?

First question is if these are 8 way sticks then why are they not wired 8 way or are they?

Secondly why does 8 way even exist if a joystick generally works from two key presses up and left for up-left? I mean its just a replication of cursor keys is it not?

You might want to start by reading the FAQ, especially 3.1.2.

Third question, although these sticks are a little stiff and noisy (click,click,click,click,click,click...  ) they seem all right but maybe I'd like something a better on my next barcade, any recommendations please?

Joystick recommendations are highly subjective -- the "best" stick can vary based on the game played and your personal preferences.

There are mods that make different sticks less "clicky".

Lastly Do I need a light on the joystick/lit up joystick?

That is a question that only you can answer.   


Scott

[mgb]

Looks like a happ competition  but very hard to tell from that photo, too dark and too much black

[Dal1980]

Thanks for the response guys

PL1, to be honest I missed the FAQ - having a quick look at it seems like its full of information I should read before posting again    

I did read the 3.1.2 section and the wiki page which it pointed to. I'm still a little confused. It doesn't really explain why there are connections unused on my joystick. I know the joystick is set for 8-way as it picks up 8 directions. What are the other connector plates used for on the Suzo Happ Competition. (Looking on here I'm almost 100% confident that you both have identified the model - picture below of high-res front)

Wow - analogue sticks are pricey!

So by the sounds of it, optical Happ Perfect 360 (P360) would be the way to go (no wear and tear and no sound) but does anyone make this type of stick anymore since it sounds like Happ knocked them on the head?

From what I've read in the past couple of weeks there's sticks which suit fighters (i.e. Street fighter II) and there's arcade classic styles (probably meaning restricted 4 way or something) and then there's general middle of the road sticks like I presume Happ Competition would be.

Maybe it would help to find a chart that shows the pros & cons of each stick type even perhaps down to a manufacturer level.  I don't know what direction to take (no pun)  downing in a sea of choices with no information 

hahaha 

Oh - here's that pic anyway

[Dal1980]

Actually - found a chart via a site listed on the FAQ http://slagcoin.com/joystick/attributes_brands.html

So the only question I had that stands is the connectors and why there is only 1 on each switch being used.

Many thanks

[drventure]

Typical arcade switches have a ground tab, a NC tab and a NO tab

NC = Normally closed
NO = Normally open

You hook up a ground wire to the ground tab (and you normally daisy chain all the grounds together)

and you hook up the signal wire to the NO tab.

The NC tab isnt normally used but comes in handy in some peculiar situations (I used it on a pinball plunger switch for instance).

[PL1]

It doesn't really explain why there are connections unused on my joystick. I know the joystick is set for 8-way as it picks up 8 directions. What are the other connector plates used for on the Suzo Happ Competition.

By "connector plates" are you referring to the three tabs on the microswitch?



COM (Common) - Internal spring-loaded lever arm that connects to NC until the button is pushed
NO (Normally Open) - Connects to COM when button is pushed
NC (Normlly Closed) - Connects to COM when button is not pushed, this tab is almost always not used (exception=KADE Extended Mode)

Actually - found a chart via a site listed on the FAQ http://slagcoin.com/joystick/attributes_brands.html

You may also want to check out Kowal's joystick information webpage (some pages are translated into english, but others are only in polish) and numerous "What joystick should I buy?" threads here on BYOAC.


Scott

[JDFan]

I'm still a little confused. It doesn't really explain why there are connections unused on my joystick. I know the joystick is set for 8-way as it picks up 8 directions. What are the other connector plates used for on the Suzo Happ Competition. (Looking on here I'm almost 100% confident that you both have identified the model - picture below of high-res front)

To clarify the 8-way 4-way thing

An 8-way stick will allow both Up and Left, etc. to be pressed at the same time (yes there are still only 4 directional connections) while a 4-way stick has a restrictor of some sort that will not let both be pressed at the same time so if you press on a diagonal; you only get either Up or Left and it goes directly from one to the other when moved never both pressed at the same time. ( so you can only move Up, Down, Left, or Right never diagonally )

For the connectors you only use 2 (ground and one other depending on the use !) - If using for an arcade for example you use the ground and NO (normally open) which means the circuit of electricity is usually open and sends a signal when closed (so when you press a button it sends the electical signal to the encoder telling it you pressed the button.

In other uses you would use the Ground and NC (normally closed) connection which in contrast sends an electrical signal all of the time and when pressed stops sending the signal to signify a button has been pressed.

[Dal1980]

  Awesome guys, that's helped a lot!

If I can get the theory right then I'll be more comfortable buying AND fitting 

I'll read around the many other posts now

It's all exciting stuff!

Thanks