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Newbie question on CP and IPAC card
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Wyluli:
Ok, I've decided what I am going to build for my control panel.
2 - 8 way joysticks w/ 6 buttons each
1 - 4 way joystick w/ 1 button   (putting this in the center of the CP)
IPAC card (used to connect it all)

Questions:
1.  Does the IPAC card come with good instructions on wiring? 
Is the wire included with the card? 
Will I need to do any sodering? 
Will the IPAC2 card be good enough for my setup?
Do I need to order anything else? (E.g. cables, wires, connectors, etc)

2.  If I use MDF for my CP, what kind of paint should I use on it?  Spray paint? 

3. Should I get the pushbuttons from Happs or order them from the Ipac site and save on shipping? 
Are they exactly the same (quality) on both sites? 
Should I get the horizontal or vertical microswitch buttons?
Are the joysticks on IPAC's site any good, or would you go with Happs?

4. Anything else you can think of before I start ordering my parts?

Thanks!
Shape D.:
1.  Does the IPAC card come with good instructions on wiring?
> you just screw them in.
Is the wire included with the card?
> no
Will I need to do any sodering?
> no
Will the IPAC2 card be good enough for my setup?
> yes
Do I need to order anything else? (E.g. cables, wires, connectors, etc)
> you'l need wires and connectors for the microswitches.
2.  If I use MDF for my CP, what kind of paint should I use on it?  Spray paint?
> use a letex based paint, apply with rollers.
3. Should I get the pushbuttons from Happs or order them from the Ipac site and save on shipping?
> they will both work equally well.
Are they exactly the same (quality) on both sites?
> yes
Should I get the horizontal or vertical microswitch buttons?
> vertical, the horizontal ones can get bad connection points with use
Are the joysticks on IPAC's site any good, or would you go with Happs?
> yes the t-stick rocks

4. Anything else you can think of before I start ordering my parts?
>instead of gum, try chewing bacon!
Wyluli:
Anything else you can think of before I start ordering my parts?
>instead of gum, try chewing bacon!

Um, I don't chew gum anyway, but thanks!

Thanks for the info!  Just need a little verification on a couple things:
(pardon my ignorance)

1.  "connectors for the microswitches" - Um, what connectors?  I thought you just put these in the cp and ran a wire from the button to the IPAC card.

2. What kind of wire and approximately how much would you get?

3. And on the IPAC card, I know you just screw the card into your CP box, I was wondering if the card comes with any instructions on how to wire the joysticks and buttons to the card itself (sorry, should be more clear w/ my questions).  Do I need to buy a cord to connect the IPAC card to the computer? 

Thanks again.
Shape D.:
1.  "connectors for the microswitches" - Um, what connectors?  I thought you just put these in the cp and ran a wire from the button to the IPAC card.

> I cant remember what there called, some blade connector thing, i'll check and get back to you on these

2. What kind of wire and approximately how much would you get?

> 18 or 20 gauge wire will both work,  its cheap so you can just get a 100' roll, you may need extra.

3. And on the IPAC card, I know you just screw the card into your CP box, I was wondering if the card comes with any instructions on how to wire the joysticks and buttons to the card itself (sorry, should be more clear w/ my questions).  Do I need to buy a cord to connect the IPAC card to the computer?

> the card is labeled, and you will need to buy a chord to connect it with.
Shape D.:
its a .187 inch female blade connector, with a wire recepticle sized for the wire your using.  and i didn't mention it before but use braided wire, it's easier to work with and solid wire has a tendency to break.
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