Tapping the gameport for 5v...

[Smack]

I just got my opti pac in and I'm looking to power it via the gameport. (I'm not using it for anything plus I've got a cord from a broken game controller I can use)

I should just be able to tap pin 1 for the 5v and pin 4 for the ground, right?

(I don't have an Ipac or I'd just use the connecting cable.)

Thanks!
Smack

[Tiger-Heli]

If memory serves, that sounds right!  You might want to test with a multimeter first, though.

See also http://www.gunpowder.freeserve.co.uk/wheels/wiring.htm

[Smack]

Thanks! I guess that's my project this weekend!

Smack

[MameFan]

Double check the specs of both the motherboard (or game card) and the IPac.

Just because something outputs 5V and something else uses 5V doesn't mean they will work well together.. The current (e.g. amperage) is very important.

If your board puts out only a small amperage on the line, but the IPac demands a larger one, it could cause damage to your motherboard, or at least shut down your system when you connect it.

The likelyhood is the IPAC doesnt pull much current and this is a safe thing to do. Just wanted to warn you that there is more to electricity than strictly voltage ratings.

[Smack]

Thanks for the info. The ultimarc site says this:

Do I need a power supply?
The board does need a 5 volt supply. A cable is supplied which plugs into the I-PAC board if you have one, to provide this supply. If you are not using an I-PAC board, a 5 volt supply can be obtained from a joystick port, ps/2 mouse port, or any other 5 volt source from the PC.


So, I was kinda going by that. I doulbe check things too.
Mucho thanks.
Smack

[1UP]

There are plenty of 5v sources inside your PC--the hard drive power plugs.  All those 4-pin plugs have both 5V and 12V power.  Also, USB provides a 5v source, probably with more amperage than you  can get from a joystick port.  The pinouts for these are readily available on the internet.

Good luck.

[SirPoonga]

usb.org maybe, hehe.

[Smack]

I think I'm gonna use the ps/2 mouse port. The optipac site suggests that. It should be consisent from machine to machine or it they wouldn't reccomend it.

I figure I won't be using that port anyways as my trackball will get recognized as the mouse through the serial port anyways... (dur! I should have though of that initially!)

Thanks again for everybodys input - get it? Input!

Smack

[SirPoonga]

I thought the serial port actually outputted 3.3v or something like that.