Author Topic: disabled nj man seeks help modifying X-Arcade (Read 4809 times)

icabjeff · « **on:** October 23, 2006, 09:32:08 pm »

I'm looking for somebody to help me modify an X-Arcade to make it handicapped accessible. I have all the plans and parts. I just need somebody to do the physical work. I'm not sure about setting up the resistors and 9v battery for the relay and autorepeat switch I have planned though.

Thanks,

Jeff Gray

Newton, NJ

mvolke1 · « **Reply #1 on:** October 27, 2006, 06:22:29 pm »

Hi Jeff,

What are your needs for accessibility?

Is it just a matter of fitting a chair under the panel, or do you need modifications to the controls for your hands?

Basically, what do you need it to do to be accessible?

Matt

icabjeff · « **Reply #2 on:** October 28, 2006, 05:27:59 pm »

Matt,

I'm modifying the X-Arcade joystick to incorporate sockets for disability standard switches.
A disability standard switch can range from a large separate push button on/off switch that can be operated by broad movements of the body, to a chin operated mini-joystick with a center push switch.The standard part is that they plug into specially made or adapted equipment via a 1/8" headphone style socket for single switches and 9-pin dsub atari style socket for multiple switches
?
I'm basing my project on a project found at http://www.oneswitch.org.uk/4/DIY/x-arcade.htm
Since the circuit board can support two players my project will have two sets of sockets with 4 1/8" primary action button sockets and three 9-pin dsub sockets going to all of the joystick buttons.
?
I'm also trying to use two tilt switches combined a switch operated relay(to switch the x and y axis because I have limited side to side head movement) to operate the four directional buttons with head movement. I would like to incorporate an autorepeat button for the main action button on the X-Arcade into the head control unit.

Jeff

mvolke1 · « **Reply #3 on:** October 28, 2006, 05:45:30 pm »

Jeff,

That's a really cool project. It sounds like you're pretty well on your way.

What do you need help with? Feel free to e-mail me at mvolke1@yahoo.com or just post here.

Matt

icabjeff · « **Reply #4 on:** October 28, 2006, 10:48:27 pm »

Quote from: mvolke1 on October 28, 2006, 05:45:30 pm

Jeff,

That's a really cool project. It sounds like you're pretty well on your way.

What do you need help with? Feel free to e-mail me at mvolke1@yahoo.com or just post here.

Matt

First off, I need someone to finish cutting the holes for the mono and dsub9 connectors into the metal face plate to replace the front of the X-Arcade. Then they need to soldier wires going from each arcade button to the appropriate mono and/or dsub9 connectors for player1. Then crimp connectors to connect to the wire harness going to the X-Arcade to the appropriate mono and/or dsub9 connectors for player2. Then for the tilt switch solder the rollerball switches to a very small PCB board going to a box containing another PCB board with a relay, the autorepeat circuit, and the 9v battery connector.

Jeff

mvolke1 · « **Reply #5 on:** October 31, 2006, 12:10:38 pm »

Awwww....I understand. You're looking for someone to do this for you.

Unfortunately, I like in New York, Upstate. Is there anyone in Jersey who could help this man out?

I have an idea. If anyone knows how to do this, would you be willing for mail it to them to get it done? Maybe one of you out there would volunteer your expertise to do this?

mvolke1 · « **Reply #6 on:** November 01, 2006, 02:56:49 pm »

Nearly 300 people have view this, and no one can help?!

mvolke1 · « **Reply #7 on:** November 03, 2006, 07:43:03 pm »

More than 300 have viewed this. Can anyone help this guy out? He's not asking for much.

shardian · « **Reply #8 on:** November 06, 2006, 02:57:01 pm »

Since most of the work you need done is basic soldering/wiring, have you considered putting an ad out in your area for an electronics technician? Also, is there a NIT (National Institute of Technology) Style school around your area? If so, someone there would likely be able to do the work for you just for the experience.

Bigun · « **Reply #9 on:** November 14, 2006, 11:55:57 am »

I would in a heartbeat, but I live in TN.

mvolke1 · « **Reply #10 on:** November 14, 2006, 05:36:18 pm »

Would anyone be willing to have the items mailed to their home and then mail them back?

PCtech · « **Reply #11 on:** November 16, 2006, 03:57:37 pm »

Quote from: mvolke1 on November 14, 2006, 05:36:18 pm

Would anyone be willing to have the items mailed to their home and then mail them back?

I would be willing to do the soldering work, but I don't know anything about cutting metal, and wouldn't have the correct tools. I do have a lot of soldering experience though, and would be willing to do this for free. If Jeff can find someone (maybe local ad) to cut the metal, I can probably do the rest.

PM if interested

mvolke1 · « **Reply #12 on:** November 16, 2006, 04:42:29 pm »

PC Tech, thanks for stepping up. I'm not much of a sodderer, and I don't know how to cut metal, let alone have the tools. I hope it all works out!

PCtech · « **Reply #13 on:** November 17, 2006, 09:07:00 am »

Jeff,
Let me know if you are interested. I could give the metal cutting a shot (I spoke to a friend about it, and he said I could probably do it), but I couldn't make any gaurantees.

If you want, I will see what I can do. If you want to ship me all the parts, and detailed instructions on what you want done (step-by-step....I've only made one CP before, and it was out of wood), I would be happy to see what I can do to help.

PM me if interested, and I can give you my address.

Bigun · « **Reply #14 on:** November 17, 2006, 09:20:00 am »

I have no metal cutting tools, but I do work at an electronics shop, so I have plenty of soldering tools and accessories at my disposal. I wouldn't mind doing mail order work either.

Jeffy · « **Reply #15 on:** November 17, 2006, 09:57:57 am »

Hey, Jeff, I live in Jersey and my name is Jeff too!
How are you coming on the project?
I would love to come visit you and help you get this thing going!

jeffy

JoyMonkey · « **Reply #16 on:** November 17, 2006, 09:58:44 am »

I can do the metalwork. If you have a drawing of the panel it would be easier for me to just cnc one from scratch rather than modify an existing one.

PCtech · « **Reply #17 on:** November 17, 2006, 02:22:24 pm »

Sounds like we may have a gameplan.....

Jeff,

Please PM Joymonkey regarding getting the metal cut, then PM me,,if you like, regarding the mounting and soldering.

icabjeff · « **Reply #18 on:** November 18, 2006, 09:20:23 am »

Quote from: Jeffy on November 17, 2006, 09:57:57 am

Hey, Jeff, I live in Jersey and my name is Jeff too!
How are you coming on the project?
I would love to come visit you and help you get this thing going!

jeffy

I have a local Hiigh School which is part of the Technology Student Association that I approached which is considering doing the work as a class-room project at the end of December. It would be great to at least get the head till switch done for now, since I don't need the X-Arcade to use it on my computer. My goal is to create an accessible interface that can be can be used on many different game devices from arcade machines to portable games that you plug into a TV. All that is needed on the game device is dsub9 and mono plugs to accept handicapped switches. Where do you live in New Jersey? I would like to meet up with you. I'm in Newton.

Jeff

Jeffy · « **Reply #19 on:** December 01, 2006, 02:54:56 pm »

I live in Dunellen. PM me and we can arrange to get together--sorry this has taken so long to get back to you, I was having that logging in issue.

if you can't pm me, my email is

pastorjeffsmith@gmail.com

barnes · « **Reply #20 on:** December 03, 2006, 04:35:31 pm »

I live in PA, near Philly, so I could make the journey over, but I'm not very experinced with Cabinets, nor to much soldering. As far as approching the High School, I'd suggest trying to find the engineering club, or something close to that.

PCtech · « **Reply #21 on:** December 05, 2006, 02:56:54 pm »

Well, I drummed up another member and myself, who were willing to do the work...just waiting on the OK from Jeff...since we haven't heard anything, I'm assuming you decided to go another route.

Good luck with your project!

P.S.- next you ask for help...you might want to be considerate enough to respond to the people offering to help....I went through the effort of drumming up help from another board, and then...no response.

It wouldn't be so big a deal...except something similar happned awhile ago (another disabled man looking for help with controls), then when folks started offering to help, drawing up plans....he just stopped responding.

I mean no ill will....but common decency would be nice.

I do wish you the best of luck with your project though!

shanebuss · « **Reply #22 on:** December 05, 2006, 03:22:46 pm »

icabjeff · « **Reply #23 on:** December 05, 2006, 10:09:18 pm »

I'm sorry if I offended you by not taking up your offer. But had I been interested in your I would have PMd you. I didn't think I needed to publicly tell the group I passed on your kind offer

Quote from: PCtech on November 17, 2006, 09:07:00 am

Jeff,
Let me know if you are interested. I could give the metal cutting a shot (I spoke to a friend about it, and he said I could probably do it), but I couldn't make any gaurantees.

If you want, I will see what I can do... PM me if interested, and I can give you my address.

I did post during the summer and somebody said they could couldn't help until school so I waited three weeks to post but by then I couldn't find the original thread. I'm sorry this may have put other members of the group out

Jeff

jelwell · « **Reply #24 on:** December 12, 2006, 06:50:19 pm »

Quote from: icabjeff on December 05, 2006, 10:09:18 pm

I didn't think I needed to publicly tell the group I passed on your kind offer

And I don't understand why this is stickied.

Here's a vendor for you:
http://www.ucandocentral.com/home.html
Joseph Elwell.


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