Opti-wiz Z Axis

[brock.sampson]

I have an opti-wiz hooked up to a happ trackball.  I recently bought another happ trackball encoder board and wheel.  My friend machined some aluminum into an awesome spinner for me.  I wired it up to the z axis last night and the trackball still works great but I'm having some problems with the spinner.  I try to set the tempest dial settings but it adds a ton of z_mouse+ z_mouse- inputs.  When I try to use the spinner it just kind of jitters.  I've attached a picture of the way I have it wired.  When I try to scroll in a regular window it skips back and forth as well.  I have not pulled one of the connectors off of the trackball and tried it to make sure the board is good on the spinner.  That is next on my list of stuff to try.  Any insight would be appreciated.

Thanks

[RandyT]

When you say that your friend machined a spinner for you, what do you mean?  You need to make sure that whatever you are using as an encoder wheel is the correct geometry for the spacing of the opto-switches on your board.

Got a picture?

RandyT

[brock.sampson]

It is the encoder wheel made for the happ trackball so it should match up.  I'll post some pics tonight when I get home.

[u_rebelscum]

... When I try to use the spinner it just kind of jitters.  I've attached a picture of the way I have it wired.  When I try to scroll in a regular window it skips back and forth as well....

If in windows it's one unit ("unit" depends on axis & windows settings), then one sensor signal is not getting through.  It most likely would be in the wiring, but sensor, sensor board, or optiwiz are small possibilities.

[brock.sampson]

It was the board.  Hopefully Happ's customer service is better than their shipping rates  .  Attached are a couple shots of the finished spinner.

[RayB]

Z axis??? Isn't the Z axis the "mousewheel" ?

[brock.sampson]

Yes that is the mousewheel.

[Kaytrim]

Try setting the skip rate to 1 or zero in windows for the wheel.  That might help with the skipping.  If you need to replace the board here is a cheaper option.  I have a few of these and they work just fine.

TTFN 
Kaytrim

[RayB]

A mousewheel is typically very low resolution. Try it on one of the other axis first and see if the problem is the same.

[brock.sampson]

I tried it on one of the connections out of the trackball harness same results.  The board itself is bad.  Happ is sending me a replacement board.  I stole one out of my trackball and the spinner works great on the z axis.  I have not changed any settings and it works great.  I just need to mount it on the control panel and I'll be all set.  I'll just put the replacement board in the trackball.

[u_rebelscum]

A mousewheel is typically very low resolution.

Why do you think that this is causing the problem?  Maybe if he was hacking a mouse, but he's using an optiwiz which has as good a Z axis as X & Y.

Try it on one of the other axis first and see if the problem is the same.

In general, it's good practice to try another axis and if possible a different sensor board, if you don't know what the problem is, no matter if the problem axis is Z or X or Y.