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Newbie question on CP and IPAC card
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.