Happ Highball Trackball Orientation

[StingMe]

Hot on the heels of Trackball, which way?

I'd like to know if there is any reason why a Happ 3" Highball trackball can't be mounted 90 degrees clockwise. The trackball casing clearly marks "monitor" with an arrow as a guide, but how necessary is this for normal operation?

The reason I ask is because I didn't include the monitor notation on the template I used when I was cutting out the "football" in the CP to house the trackball and I accidentally had it rotated 90 degrees. Naturally, I didn't realize this until I had all of the buttons and plexi in place  

The CP is pretty level (only a slight incline) so I don't think it will matter, but I do notice a little "rattle" of the ball on some occasions (maybe this is normal). It's almost too late to really do anything as I'm anxious to get my cab up and running but I thought I'd better go ahead and ask...

Thanks!

[eightbit]

Wgat happens when you plug it in? Its going to be reversed. Thats not going to work.

[StingMe]

Wgat happens when you plug it in? Its going to be reversed. Thats not going to work.

That's a simple matter of wiring, no biggie...just play around with the x and y axes until the motion of the ball corresponds with the motion on the screen.

[u_rebelscum]

That's a simple matter of wiring, no biggie...just play around with the x and y axes until the motion of the ball corresponds with the motion on the screen.

Yes.  If you are using the optipac, just swap the X & Y wires.  Then, IIRC, depending on which direction (clockwise vs counter-clockwise) you rotated, one or the other needs the X1 and X2 (or Y1 and Y2) wires switched too, since one of the axis will be reversed.  A little harder if you hacked a mouse, but do-able.

[isugoat]

this is a wild guess, but it probably has something to do with how the rollers and bearings are positioned for the trackball.  if you beat the hell out of your trackball by playing Golden Tee, you'll probably definitely want to follow the arrows.

[u_rebelscum]

this is a wild guess, but it probably has something to do with how the rollers and bearings are positioned for the trackball.  if you beat the hell out of your trackball by playing Golden Tee, you'll probably definitely want to follow the arrows.

Isugoat, if you are talking about the rattle caused just by the rotate, I seriously doubt it.  A 90 degree clockwise rotation of a happs TB still has a roller on the bottom, but the other sensor roller is on the left instead of the right.  Basically the same as default, but in mirror horizontally.

Now, all trackballs have a "weakest axis" where rattling, if any, probably would occur.  The direction is the same as the idler roller (non-sensored roller), or the hypotenuse between the rollers with sensors on it.  On happs, wico, and betson normally mounted trackballs, this is like "/" (45 degrees right from vertical).  On StingMe's tb, however, it would be "\" (45 degrees left).  StingMe, is this the direction you hit the ball when you get the rattling?  If so, you would get the same rattle but in mirror if you had mounted it as they suggest.  You might try tilting the control panel a little more (for a total ~15-20 degrees max) and see if this helps your happs trackball.  (Just rest the back on a book or something to test it, I don't think it will help very much, but it might.)

[StingMe]

On StingMe's tb, however, it would be "\" (45 degrees left).  StingMe, is this the direction you hit the ball when you get the rattling?

Yep...and straight left to some degree. There is also a little play in the ball on it's z axis, so to speak (which I'm assuming is normal). With the highball you get more surface area to roll the ball which is good (in theory) but it may also allow you to lift the ball out of its socket somewhat in the process. I guess I'd better wire it up and see what happens during actual gameplay.

Other comments and/or suggestions will be greatly appreciated