No follow through on Ultimarc trackball?

[phantax]

In all previous panels I have built I have always used Happs 3" trackballs, usually the official Golden Tee ones. Of course, some of our most played games are World Class Bowling, Golden Tee 2K, and Shuffleshot.

I recently completed a panel for a friend who was short on available space, so I used a 2.25 Ultimarc trackball to save a bit of room for the other controls. This trackball is wired to an Optiwiz.

Here's the problem: the trackball is sensitive and works fine as a mouse in windows, as well as on games like centipede where you don't have to put much spin on the ball. However, when playing World Class Bowling and hitting the ball with as fast of a spin as you can give it, you cannot even get past the foul line as the trackball stops spinning completely within a second or two. In Golden Tee you cannot drive more than about 30 yards.

I was thinking the ball could be disassembled and the bearings oiled or something but wanted to see if anyone else here has had and resolved such a problem first.

[skippy]

Do a search.  This has been talked about before.   The Ultimarc TB need to be broken in.

[AndyWarne]

Removing the 3 screws, lifting out the ball and bearings/shafts and soaking the bearings in WD40 cures this completely.
Andy

[u_rebelscum]

... and soaking the bearings in WD40 cures this completely.

I suggest re-greasing after using WD40.  In my experiences, WD40 doesn't make a good long term lube, and needs to be reapplied too often to keep it lubed.  It is a great de-greaser & cleaner, though.

[Chris]

Do you have a particular suggested lube?

[Magnet_Eye]

might i suggest a silicon based lube... you can get them at hobby shops. the stuff is amazing.

[u_rebelscum]

I like white lithium grease as is sticks to metal well, but silicon grease is great, too.  For the bearings, I do NOT use the aerosol versions.

[Chris]

I like white lithium grease as is sticks to metal well, but silicon grease is great, too.  For the bearings, I do NOT use the aerosol versions.

Good to know, I would have headed straight for the aerosol.

I have a Happ trackball and it's never rolled as well as a good broken-in arcade one, and I've had it on the machine a couple of years.