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Problems with Williams 49-ways, not working in all directions.

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quarterback:


--- Quote from: RandyT on October 07, 2005, 03:03:42 pm ---QB, you should drop me an email.  There's a possibility that one of the inputs got toasted during the wiring process (please tell me you aren't wiring it with the power on.)
--- End quote ---

All wiring was done with the USB unplugged, so 'no' on that front. 


--- Quote ---You should be able to test the GP-Wiz49 by grounding combinations of inputs to simulate the joystick behavior.  But I'll have to go through them with you (after I educate myself with your situation).
--- End quote ---

Cool.  I'm on my way out (have to go to work today :)) but I'll drop you an email and/or feel free to gimme' instructions on testing each input.


--- Quote ---I just noticed that both of your sticks are Williams types.  If you hook both of them up EXACTLY the same way and get different results, this is pointing pretty hard in the direction of bad components on both of the sticks.
--- End quote ---

Yeah, exactly.  I thought that was odd as well.  It makes me wonder what's up.  Although, realistically, I should pull the other one out of my CP again to make sure I didn't add to the confusion by putting it back together 'wrong' as I mounted it.   Just to make sure that it's being hooked up in the exact same way.  I have been using the same harness on both but maybe I flipped something or something when I took it apart and put it back together.... it was 2am... then 3am... then 4am as I was first doing this :)

It's always possible that I crossed a wire at some point or something, so any tips you can give me on testing the GPwiz49 would be great.   PM me whatever thoughts you might have and I'll drop you a line when I get back to my computer.

Thanks

quarterback:


--- Quote from: fl0yd on October 07, 2005, 02:12:10 pm ---At one point I was trying to identify other possible wiring scenarios to make it possible to have the stick mounted with the PCB in other directions.  I never found a working wiring out of the possible permutations, but I did see similar results to what you are reporting.
--- End quote ---

Hey there fl0yd, I've pulled my other 49way out of my CP (meaning I took it apart and put it back together again) and it seems like there's only one way to put it back together.  I mean, I guess I could spin the top metal plate, but as far as the PCB and the moving parts, they only seem to fit one direction.  Am I missing something?

Thanks

quarterback:

Looks like I'm screwed :(

WIth Randy's help, I've multi-meter tested them both and it's clear that the Y-axis "direction" is kaput on one of the joys and the X-Axis "direction" is kaput on the other.   

I swear that the post in B/S/T (where I got these) said that they were tested and working great, but now I can't even find the original "for sale" post.   I'll have to go back through my 153 PMs and find the date and go from there.

Anyway, the end result is I have one that works one way and one that works the other.  If anybody has any ssuggestions for making one working 49-way out of two half-working ones, lemme' know.   



RandyT:

As Urebel wrote, it sounds like the optical components are ok.

The direction output appears to be generated by a quad, 2 input NAND chip.  The logic works like this:

input A1 HIGH and input A2 HIGH = Output A LOW

Else

Output A = HIGH

So if the problem is that the direction output never transitions, but the sensors seem to be working in the other direction,  then either the chip is toast or a part leading to one of the inputs is.

I haven't taken mine apart fully to trace the path to the inputs, but if it looks like a simple split from the optical components, the chip is probably the problem.

The good news is that the chip isn't really rare nor expensive.  The bad news is that the PCBs on these old sticks look like their  traces are made from poorly adhered aluminum foil.  Replacing the soldered-in chip could be rough to do without causing more problems, and it might not even be the culprit.

FWIW,

RandyT

quarterback:

How about this.   What if I hook up a leaf switch that allows (or cuts) the 5v to the XD or YD connections on the GPWiz?

If pins 8 & 6 on the GPwiz are basically detecting if the 49way is sending   5v or no-5v, I could attach a leaf switch with the leaf going across the edge of the optical sensors.  When I move the joystick, the sensor-blockers will shift, pushing the leaf switch to make contact.  The appropriate info would be sent to the GPwiz and all would be good in the universe.

What do you think?  Possible?

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