minipac modification? trackball addtion possble?

[gbeef]

I have a normal version of the minipac. without track ball support. i was looking at the pins and they are still on the board.

I just recently got 2 happs track balls for FREE now im looking to add these to my system.

now my question is it possible to at trackball support with the old harness?

[ahofle]

I wasn't aware of a minipac version that didn't have trackball support. 

[RayB]

RTFM ?   

[gbeef]

http://www.ultimarc.com/JShopServer/section.php?xSec=3

I bought the 46.00 dollar version not the 69.00 version... i was wondering is it possible to wire that manually?? because i dont think Ultramic sell the hareness serprate?

[BobA]

Just wire it yourself.  It should work fine as long as you connect via USB.

[rooterman]

I think you need to get the usb interface for trackballs from Happ.

r

[BobA]

You do not need anything from happ.  Just your regular arcade trackball and the minipac which has the interface.  The interface is only active when plugged in via a USB cable to your PC.

[rooterman]

He said he doesn't have the mini-pac with the trackball interface. There are two versions, one with, and one without. Personally I have the one with.

r

[BobA]

I don't know of a minipac without the interface.  As far as I know it is all a matter of the cabling. That is the point I was trying to make.  Maybe Andy could clarify for us.

 

[BobA]

From the Ultimarc website Minipac page,

"Trackball/Spinner Functionality
In USB mode only. No extra PC connections are needed, all communications go through one USB cable. Inputs for one 2-axis device (trackball) and one single-axis device (spinner). The active control is auto-selected when one control is moved after a 10 second idle period. If trackball/spinner are used, USB mode must be used for all controls. The full wiring harness for 28 switches and optical controls is available in two versions, for either Happ or Ultimarc trackball.

[scotthh]

As BobA pointed out, you need to connect the wires from your trackball to the pins on your minipac. You could solder the wires to the pins or use a disconnect like this one. Many people have disconnects like these in a dead computer. They are expensive to buy in small quantities and need an insert if you buy them.

If you purchase the usb interface from Happ you will be connecting the trackball directly to the computer, bypassing the minipac (which will work, just not in the way you asked about). If it were me, I'd tack the wires from the trackball to the minpac using the schematics from Andy's website I linked to above. If that works, I'd find a permanent solution. You can make your own connector (but it's a real pain without the proper crimping tools, I know I tried). Or buy one from a vendor. If Andy cannot make you one, there are others who can and will.

[rooterman]

When I go to the order page:

http://www.ultimarc.com/JShopServer/section.php?xSec=3

why is there a "Mini-PAC Opti.", and also a "Mini-PAC Standard."?

r

[BobA]

I saw that too when I ordered mine.   It comes with a full harness.   There is only one minipac available without a harness.   Leads me to believe that the MP1 is the same for all.  The one with the trackball harness says MP1 as well,

[scotthh]

p/n = part number. If you look at  the ordering options every version comes with p/n MP1, the exact same board, just different cabling options.

The Mini-PAC is $29
The button harness is $17.    29+17=46
The trackball harness is $23.  29+17+23=69

If you read this thread it says that there is only one version of the board.

[BobA]

scotth

Thanks for finding that thread,  I was looking for it and about to search but you got it first.

 

[rooterman]

Oh thanks, that clears that up, didn't realize the only difference was the harnesses. Nevermind 

r

[scotthh]

BobA,

That's what you get for getting your reply in faster than mine.
 

[u_rebelscum]

I think you need to get the usb interface for trackballs from Happ.

[Shutter]  If I got two free TBs with working arcade boards, I'd buy minipac, optipac or optiwiz before even think of getting happs "interface" kit (it replaces the boards, so it's more than just an interface).  A while back (2 years ago?) happs carried a separate interface board that works fine, but doesn't seem to carry it any more, and I trust the *pac and *wiz boards better than happs for both quality and costumer support.  I might think of going the happs PC USB sensor boards if the arcade boards were broken.

[gbeef]

Thanks for your help guys, i think i may just reoder an opti cable