Happ Trackball

[3NF]

I just recently purchased a Happ 3" Trackball w/USB interface.  My friend has the same 3" Trackball, but with out the USB interface .. it connects to the IPAC Optipac controller.  We both seem to experience the same problem in that "Right To Left" movement is fine.  The track ball spins very nicely, however, from "Left To Right", the movement is not smooth at all.

I thought at first it was because I was right handed and that that movement for me was more natural   , so I removed the track ball and rotated a 180 degrees.  Well, now the same problem happens, but in the other direction!!  Is there a way to adjust these units?  I'm a little frustrated that it moves so well from right to left , and up and down, but left to right is bad

thanks!
3NF

[Xiaou2]

 One of your bearings is probably not as good as the other.

 If you go to radioshack , pick up this stuff called component cleaner (me thinks)   Its in a small white metal can - about 6 inches tall.  

 Take a bearing and hold it, while spraying the stuff on the top of one side.   Let it sit for 30 seconds... so that it can seep into the bearings.   Then, spin in several times - for like 15 seconds.  Repeat this one more time on the same side.   The first application will eat away the gunk, and the second will add clean lubrication.    Now, repeat on the opposite side 2X.

 After all bearings are finished,  they shoula spin like Mad!
If however you notice that after all the bearings have been cleaned... and yet one of them dosnt seem to maintain a long spin-time,  you probably have a bad bearing and need to replace it.   Try to clean it a few more times before you toss it.  

 Clean the ball and housing so that nothing can contaminate the fresh bearings.  Lube and dry the metal bars the ball sits on too.  Close it up and rock and 'roll'


 Lastly, I have the 2.5 trackball.   The 3 inch tball uses a wider spacing of the bearings. (bearings are placed further twords the sides of the ball rather than under it)  Not sure about this... but I think this creates more weight/pressure on the bearings... thus slowing it down with more friction.  Not sure if this also may be the problem.

[Brax]

Are you thinking about Contact Cleaner? Thats a degreaser. It'll remove any oils or grease in the bearings. Not sure if that would help or hinder, but if that's the product, it'll remove the lube.

[Xiaou2]

Its simular to contact cleaner.  It eats the dirt, and the lube... but it itself, is better lube (less thick, so less friction).   I put the stuff in some of my old rollerblade bearings for a test... Before, the bearing only spun for like 1 second,  after the treatment,  it spun for like 10+ seconds.

 Since trackballs really carry no weight, I doubt there would be any problem with the reduced thickness in the lube.   If so, it would be a very long time before you saw any sign of a problem.

 Give it a try.  Its expensive,  but well worth it.  I gaurentee it will speed up your bearings spin-time by over 50%.

 
   

 

[dag2000]

3-in-1 Oil  

Couldn't be happier with my results!

[Xiaou2]

3 in 1 is good... but sometimes you need to get the original thick oil out of the bearing first.  Also, to remove any gunk, dust, ect. that would slow it down.

[Rocky]

I've read that WD-40 is good for breaking down grease and other oils.  I've also read that Silicone spray put on bearings is a good idea.

Would you recommend concact cleaner over these?


Rocky

[rampy]

Not that I'm saying it doesn't/won't work... I wouldn't personally use contact cleaner as a lube... as a cleaner/degreaser yes...  but thats just my opinion...

Bob Roberts has some very good trackball advise on his "bulletin board" (it's more of a collection of howto's and faqs ... but oh well)

http://www.dameon.net/BBBB/moretb.html

http://www.dameon.net/BBBB/mynotes.html#trackball

Good luck!

Rampy

[Xiaou2]

I've read that WD-40 is good for breaking down grease and other oils.  I've also read that Silicone spray put on bearings is a good idea.

Would you recommend concact cleaner over these?


Rocky

 
   Ive tried several: 3 in 1, wd40, some others, and the component cleaner... in several different bearings of different cleanliness'es.  

  WD40 works initially,  but it dosnt really clean very well.  The result is that you get a kinda muddy mess.  Also, it leaves some residue behind, that seems to increase friction after only a short period of time after the initial lube.   Good to remove rust... but afterwords, use the component cleaner.

 The Component cleaner,  is fantastic.   Its crystal clear, eats and dissolves, and then vanishes without a trace!   Afterwords, its special lube last a long time, and is superior to any oil / lube Ive ever tried.

 Ive not heard of or tried silicone spray.   My guess, is that it too, might leave behind a substance that would buildup after a while.