Weird P360 problem

[sirwoogie]

I'm having an issue with putting  two P360's together to the same inputs on an IPAC. I'm doing this to simplify the wiring for a 4-way and 8-way to the same P1 inputs. If I wire them together, only one will work.

I've taken the other and wired to different inputs, and the stick responds then on those inputs. I've got them going to the same +5V and GND connectors. I've even tried different power taps, but that's obviously not going to work as the computer is the end voltage and ground anyway.

Any idea what is the deal here? Is there a way I can do this?

[rdagger]

Here's my guess:  I assume the IPAC sees a keystroke when one of its inputs goes to ground.  The P360 probably keeps 5v on its outputs until the stick is moved and then it goes to ground (when connected to the IPAC this would fire a keystroke).  However, if you have 2 P360's connected to a single input on an IPAC, then one P360 would always be providing 5v, which might screw with the pullups on the PIC.  I think you could easily remedy the problem by putting diodes on each of the P360's outputs to prevent the 5v current from flowing the wrong way.  Furthermore, if you are using a different power source for the P360 it would probably be a good idea to use diodes to prevent damage to the IPAC if your power source fluctuates.

[2600]

I would of thought the P360 would be in a high impedance state not put out 5V.  But then again I didn't sleep at a holiday inn last night and am pretty tired.

You could try putting a multimeter on it to see what's going on.  Could it be sirwoogie needs a thicker guage wire for ground?

Let us know what you find out, cause I was just about to do this this weekend.

[sirwoogie]

I thought the same thing as 2600 on the voltage states. Even more weird, I have a standard microswitch 8 way connected, and that works fine.

I don't have my multimeter for another week or so; I'm operating blind at the moment.

I may, without a full explanation, just have to hook it to another player input that won't share a p360 and just adjust the games accordingly.

[2600]

I'll see if I can take a look at it before then.   Another thing it could be is that they have some pull-ups on them and when you put 2 together it makes too strong of a pull-up.

BTW, when did you purchase these?

[sirwoogie]

One of them was a while ago. But the other one is about 2 weeks old. It was in a large batch of backorder that Happ put together for various orders.

On a side note, they shipped this joystick out incorrectly. Normally, the power/direction pins should sit to the 2 oclock position to have proper direction when used. Well, they put it together so those faced the 5 oclock position. This would have mean turning the stick plate horizontal to get the proper direction movement. The best part is that it had a "Happ QA approved" sticker on it. No biggie of course as you can take the 4 screws on the base out and rotate it. I think they were so quick to fill the BO, they missed a few of them in QA.

[rdagger]

I hooked up a meter to a P360 connected to an IPAC.  As I suspected, the P360 outputs are high at 5V.  When you move the stick the outputs go low.  I'm pretty sure that I was correct that the second P360 is generating 5V and preventing the the IPAC from firing.  To fix the problem I placed 1N4148 diodes on the P360 outputs.  Now when I connect the meter the outputs only show .05V and the IPAC functions properly.

[2600]

So you hooked up the diodes like this:

P360 ------|<-------IPAC

Hopefully, that's the correct ASCII representatoin of a diode.

Sounds like I am not going to have fun wiring this up.  Thanks for the research rdagger.

[dogg0]

i think they did rush a lot of orders. I ordered 2 as well, one was fine, but the was missing the spring inside the base! too bad it will take them another week or 2 to send me another...

[Aceldamor]

They sent me the wrong metal sleeves...supposed to be 1/2 inch long...they sent me 5/8.  

It wasn't a problem though, they're sending the correct ones. I was given the "insane amount ordered when they went on sale" reason.

Which should key them in to have more sales like that  

[2600]

Just noticed that they sent me the wrong sleeve size as well.

Have to test it but I may like the extra height.  I have another stick though so I am going to see if Happs will send me an extra sleeve for that one instead of the replacement sleeve.

If they don't what are you doing with your old sleeves Aceldamor?

[rdagger]

They sent me the wrong metal sleeves...supposed to be 1/2 inch long...they sent me 5/8.  

Last year I purchased 4 P360's and they all came with 5/8" sleeves.  They are very easy to cut to the correct length depending on if you are using a metal or wood CP.  I just assumed that it was up to the buyer to cut them to the desired length.