Issues with IPAC Ultimate I/O

[Alaska]

I just got done wiring my control board and hooked up the board to the computer with an IPAC Ultimate I/O.

I downloaded the winipac Version 2 program to set the controls. Initially the program would not load. I switched the USB that the IPAC was plugged into and the program began working. I was able to test the buttons and about half were working. The buttons that were not working included Player 1 - Up, Down, Left, Right. Player 4 - Left and Right. Player 3 - Up, Down, Left and Right.

Player 2 worked 100%. All joystick controls and 6 buttons.

I swapped the wiring from player 2 to the other joystick leads to troubleshoot if it was a problem with the actual switches. All switches output the text character associated with the player 2 leads.

So I figured it was a firmware issue. I updated the firmware and now nothing works... The hardware shows as "functioning properly" in the control panel. WinIpacV2 shows the board as active. The LED on the back of the IPAC is green... I restarted the computer... nothing. I tried the Ipac in other USB ports... nothing. I uninstalled WINIPACV2 and reinstalled... still not working...

Has anyone come across this issue before? It seems like there might be more than one issue that I am encountering.

All of the grounds are connected. All of the leads are connected to the proper inputs on the IPAC and connected to the "NC" normally closed pin on the microswitch. I tested the joysticks and they were functioning properly under player 2, but now none of the buttons work even though the computer says that the iPac is functioning properly.

[AndyWarne]

All of the leads are connected to the proper inputs on the IPAC and connected to the "NC" normally closed pin on the microswitch.

That would be a problem! Should be on the NO connection.

The board is likely recoverable if a firmware upgrade has failed although I have to say that attempting a firmware upgrade in the case of a problem such as this is not the right way forward.

If you can drop me an email at andy@ultimarc.com I am sure we can sort it out. 

[Alaska]

All of the leads are connected to the proper inputs on the IPAC and connected to the "NC" normally closed pin on the microswitch.

That would be a problem! Should be on the NO connection.

Apologies. I meant "NO" normally open.

[SavannahLion]

Could be a broken ground loop. Hard to say without examining the actual wiring.

For that the easiest is to disconnect all the switches on the loop and rewire the harness systemically until it fails again. That is your where your break is.

Actually I lied, using a meter is easier and faster. If you have one, use that instead. Disconnect the entire harness and attach one lead to the end and start testing with the other. Meter will show a break after the bad portion.

[CheffoJeffo]

+1

If saint had a dollar for every time one of us thought things were wired properly ... well, he'd have some money anyway. Absent a meter, connect one switch at a time starting with the closest switch in your ground chain. If you upload good enough pics, maybe someone can spot something.

If you doubt the switch, don't upgrade your firmware: touch the bloody wires together!

[Alaska]

I'll take a look at the wiring tomorrow or Wednesday and see what I can find out. Right now none of the buttons work with the IPAC. Some originally did. I tested the switches that didn't work initially by taking a lead that was working and swapping it out for one that didn't (e.g. Player 2 Left working for Player 1 up, down, left, right). This way I figured I could semi-quickly rule out a bad ground or faulty switch. Also, the ground is daisy chained all off one common connection. The first switch in the line is Player 1 down, then left, right down, button 1 ... etc. Button 1 worked but the directions did not. I fired up HyperSpin. No dice on the controls. I fired up Mame and got smoked by barrels in Donkey Kong because I could only jump and not move... then I updated the firmware and $%^& the whole 9-yards up.

I do have a meter and will test the wiring from the board to the controls.




 

[Alaska]

+1

If saint had a dollar for every time one of us thought things were wired properly ... well, he'd have some money anyway. Absent a meter, connect one switch at a time starting with the closest switch in your ground chain. If you upload good enough pics, maybe someone can spot something.

If you doubt the switch, don't upgrade your firmware: touch the bloody wires together!

Here's a few more bucks! Andy with Ultimarc is a standup guy. The customer service is unbelievable! Second to none really. The board is functioning properly however there appears to be a wiring issue ... more specifically a grounding issue.

[Alaska]

... And it was a bad ground connection on the harness at the board when the harness was fully installed. I am not sure why there was the strange issue in the beginning with some of the joystick directions not working, but now the thing is working like a champ.

Thanks again

[SavannahLion]

[CheffoJeffo]

+1