Replacing Joystick Microswitches?

[eyal8r]

Hey guys-
I have a joystick that has some lag to it. Sometimes it doesn't move the character at all, or, you have to hit it twice before it moves, or, there's a delay from the time you move the stick to the time the character moves. It feels like the switches are bad- which, I dont know how since I haven't used it very much since I got it.  Does this sound like the problem?  And, how/where can I replace the switches?

I think radio shack has them, but, the metal prong on the switch is too long. Will that work, and I can just cut the prong down to the correct size?
Thanks

[Jabba]

What kind of joystick are you talking about?

[eyal8r]

ummm- not sure- it's one of the popular ones- can switch between a 4 & 8 way by pulling up and twisting it...

[brophog]

The only one that can do that is the t-stick plus. Contact Andy at ultimarc.com about getting replacement switches.

[Jabba]

Ahh, T-Stick. I have one at home. I'll have a look and see when I get home and post later

[eyal8r]

I ma having a party this weekend, and would like to have them asap before that party- I wasn't sure if I could replace them myself with other switches found elsewhere?

[RTSDaddy2]

I'll be watching this thread closely...please post the final results. 

Andy's service is fast, but it does take a while being an overseas shipment....I'd like to know too if they can be replaced with those microswitches!

[Orclord]

I'd check your wiring first...

The T-Stick can come with different Microswitches to the Norm and many a person has made the mistake of connecting to the NC by mistake...

Check here.....The Mag-Stick is the newer T-Stick by the way

www.ultimarc.com/controldiags.html

On the otherhand if it was working OK before.....Then ignore this post

[eyal8r]

yeah, it WORKS, just seems a little delayed response, or sluggish or something. But it does work...

[RayB]

How are they connected? What game? Could be a software problem, or slow USB...

[eyal8r]

I have dual joysticks- the other works fine, so it's no the USB. It doesn't matter which game- they all have the same reaction. I really think it's the switches.  Anyone know where I can find the same microswitches for it locally?

[CheffoJeffo]

Anyone know where I can find the same microswitches for it locally?

Depends on where you are ...

[Jabba]

I checked out my T-Stick. They are the same size as the regular micro switches used for pushbuttons (i.e., HAPPS). Here is a pic of the underside of the T-Stick and a regular Happs Micro switch.

A) The hole seem the same size, you should be able to unscrew the bad switch and screw in the new keeping the same orientation.

B) The Joystick button has the long metal piece that the stick pushes against when the stick is moved to activate the cherry switch. I didn't try, but I think you should be able to just pop it out of the defective switch and pop in a new one.

Do you have any spares micro switches? If not, I would probably for now just pop out the micro switch from another button on your control panel (i.e., Player 2 button 6) if ya got one and replace the bad switch with it. You could put the bad switch back on P2B6 and have the advantage :-)

I could pop a couple in an envelope for you and mail them to you. I'm in Canada though so would probably not get to you until next week though...

Good luck!

[Orclord]

yeah, it WORKS, just seems a little delayed response, or sluggish or something. But it does work...

I still say check your wiring, the joystick will still work as such but will display stuttering and a sluggish response...

And while you have the joystick exposed....

Check the switches with a multimeter across them, that will tell you if they are making contact properly or not..

[Jabba]

If it is wiring, you could also troubleshoot by attaching the wires from a switch thqt DOES work to the wires that attach to the switch that DOES NOT work. If still sluggish, then the wires, otherwise, the switch...

[daywane]

the Chery switch will fit but not work right.
the joysticks poneyboy sells have the same switches.
I broke 2 of mine and asked for help from him.
 He said they were a bear to find.
maybe he has a contact for them now? still waiting for mine to show up in the mail. should be any day now.
Do Not Over Tighten.
Will crack switch

[hatrick]

Jabba...what's the sheet metal strip on the bottom of your joystick for?

[Jabba]

Jabba...what's the sheet metal strip on the bottom of your joystick for?

This is used to "switch" the 4 way 8 way switch on the joystick. I moved it to the right for the picture. It is normally on the left. When you lift the joystick handle up (from on top), it allows you to switch the joystick between 4 way 8 way mode. The white rounded switch is what gets moved...Make sense?

See pic C) for white rounded switch

[daywane]

none of my switchable has that ( marked in black)

[Jabba]

When I bought them back in 2004, I remember they were coming out with a new version of the joystick. That ? part is used to move that switch there in C). Pain in the ass to wire around though!