Joystick problem

[cdbrown]

Morning all,

Was playing a few games last night on the trial panel and I noticed that the joysticks are very sensitive - especially the player 2.  I have got happs optical rotary joys for players 1 and 2.  The problem is that you might be going left, move the joystick back to the center and the character will turn right but not move.  

(I know this does it when I let go of the joystick because the spring flicks the stick back to center but due to momentum goes a little further and activates the other switch.)

The opticals don't have the normal hourglass piece which can be flipped to go from 8-way to 4-way they look like this http://home.iprimus.com.au/craigrb/images/opticals.JPG.  I think I may be able to flip the white plastic over which should reduce the contact with the actuators on the microswitch.  I have heard of some people bending the actuators, but knowing my luck I'd break them or something.

Anyone have any ideas on how to fix this?

Thanks in advance
-cdbrown

[RandyT]

Just a shot in the dark, but I notice those sticks have wires coming off the optical assembly underneath the stick.

You don't have any "leftward" tension on those wires, do you?

RandyT

[cdbrown]

RandyT,

The optical part hasn't been wired up yet - but thanks for that idea as I will make sure to watch it when I do get around to wiring it.  When I get home tonight I'll put an elastic band around those wires just in case they are getting caught on the carpet or something.

I'm curious to know whether or not the all the actuators should be touching the "hourglass" piece in the central position.  I would have thought there would be a very small gap.  Maybe the actuators are slightly bent outwards?  I dunno.

Thanks
-cdbrown

[RandyT]

I guess it depends on how responsive you want it to be.

Based on what you are saying, I'd say that you don't want this.

You probably will need to tweak the metal pieces back a little.  If you are easy on them, I don't think you have to worry too much about breaking them.  I hear that this type of tweaking is explained (and encouraged) on the X-Arcade controllers, to get the feel you want out of the sticks.  I understand they have the same kind of switches on them.

For what it's worth...

RandyT

[cdbrown]

Thanks for the help RandyT.

Can't do anything until I get home tonight.  Will need to have a closer look at how it all works.  Only problem is these joysticks are a pain to take apart.  No easy little clip on these, instead small screws which require alan keys.  Well the worst part is trying to get them back together (I'll stop whinging now).

Thanks
-cdbrown

[cdbrown]

I've had a closer look and it seems as though the stick has a very slight lean   .  During some games the player 2 constantly crouches.  I listened to the clicks as I moved it around and noticed when in the "center" it activates the switch to move down, I have to move the joystick up slightly so the the microswitch opens and stops registering.  A little bit further and the up registers.  When I move it left it is only a very fine movement before it registers however it is more when I move it right.  I don't get these problems with player 1 stick (however I think they may be too sensitive for my playing style).  Has anyone else had problems like this before on the happs optical rotarys or even supers?

Cheers
-cdbrown

[OSCAR]

Take a look at the microswitch levers.  You may need to bend them back away from the actuator just a bit to lessen the sensitivity.


OT:   Randy... "Leftward".   Nice one...