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Cheap encoder for only 8 inputs?
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GadgetGeek:

--- Quote from: Peale on October 24, 2004, 09:22:33 am ---
I take the mylar piece and seperate them.  Then take a multimeter (one with continuity testing is  best) and place the lead on which key I want to use.  Then the other lead on the "finger" that connects to the PCB.  In this way I can  map out very quickly just those keys I want to use.  



--- End quote ---

I used this method and it only took me about 15 minutes to determine which *fingers* I needed. IIRC, I did about 15 keys worth.  I mapped the mame default keys so no remapping was necessary.  Another 10 minutes or so to cut a bunch of wires, probably 15 minutes to label each wire (for future reference) and 15 minutes to do the soldering.  So roughly an hour of my time.  What is an hour of your time worth?  If it is worth a lot, then spring for the commercial encoder.
JoyMonkey:
If you're only going to be using a 4-way joystick and two fire buttons, you shouldn't have to worry about key ghosting, so you can hack a keyboard to use the default Mame keys without hassle. I've hacked a couple of these old Dell keyboards - they're very easy to wire, as each key uses an individual switch right behind the key so there's no need to map connections.
I've never tried hacking a Sidewinder, but it sounds like it might be the easiest option.
Chris:

--- Quote from: whammoed on October 24, 2004, 12:22:04 pm ---I have a keyboard hack i never used for sale on ebay.  Don't expect it to go for much so it could save you some time:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=6126757950&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT
Or if you decide to hack your own, let me know.  I have the maps for 9 different keyboards...I may have the one you will be doing.

--- End quote ---
Hey, Whammoed, that is really nice clean work on that keyboard hack!
Witchboard:
Thanks for the advice everyone.  I'll go out to the garage and see what junker keyboards I have to tear a part.  Whammoed, I'll get with you on the keyboard that I find and maybe you have the map.  I agree with Chris that your keyboard hack is really nice.  I'll keep an eye on it and if I become too frustrated I may have to snag yours off eBay.  ;D  I appreciate all the help.
SteveJ34:

--- Quote from: whammoed on October 24, 2004, 12:22:04 pm ---I have a keyboard hack i never used for sale on ebay.  Don't expect it to go for much so it could save you some time:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=6126757950&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT
Or if you decide to hack your own, let me know.  I have the maps for 9 different keyboards...I may have the one you will be doing.

--- End quote ---

Did you create the keyboard wire map yourself and if yes, would you consider posting a link to it?

I'm working on a couple of bartops for xmas presents and was planning to go the keyboard hack route in place of buying a commercial encoder.

From the looks of the pic in the auction, it appears you have already created a nice map of the default keys in mame.

I look forward to your reply.
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