Turbo-Twist 2 to Minipac

[LeedsFan]

I'm still in the planning stage of my control panel. I really like the small footprint and look of the Turbo-Twist 2 spinner, especially with the BYOAC token tops and those steering wheels. 

I've been searching and reading these forums for ages but there are a couple of answers I can't find. How easy is it to connect the TT2 to the Ultimarc Minipac? I think it would be quite straight forward but I want to be sure. I am deffo getting the Minipac with the built in keycoder and wiring harness for easy assembly. So I would assume I just need the "slave" version of the TT2 yes?

Also, how do the token tops and steering wheels attach to the shaft of the spinner? Are they tightened on with an allen screw? Or do they simply push/pull on with with a tight fitting rubber sleeve? (Can't think of a better way to describe that last bit). I'm thinking that having to undo and retighten an allen fitting each time you swap items might get a bit tiresome. Or maybe I'm just being too picky. 

[Jeffy]

MY TT2 has it's own interface baord and usb cable--no need to even touch the minipac. I have a minipac too and connect it to an oscar v2 and the 'puter sees both no problems.

[DeLuSioNal29]

(Rats!  I just had to re-type this whole post again since it timed out - I hope I get everything)

When you purchase the TT2 it comes with it's own interface board (tiny) and it's own standard USB cable.  You simply plug one end into the interface and the other into your USB port on the PC.  Voila!  Instant recognition without installing any drivers.  The TT2 fits right into a standard button hole.

As far as the wheel goes, I'm not too sure since I don't have one yet.  However, I will say that you can easily remove the knob from the TT2 by unscrewing a small screw on the side by using a ultra mini flathead screwdriver.  Once removed, I'm assuming that the wheel attaches the same way.  However, to know for sure, you may want to contact Randy T (the owner) and he can tell you for sure.  He's very good about returning e-mails and is a very personable guy.

Once you find out for sure, I'd be curious to know how it mounts.  Also, it appears in the picture as if it comes with the whole shaft, but I doubt it.  Can you let us know about that too?

Randy T... care to chime in?

Good luck!

~ DeLuSioNaL

[LeedsFan]

I'm pretty sure Randy will chime in soon when he gets online.

I can see the beauty of the TT2 just plugging right into a USB port with no drivers. But that brings up another query. I'm going to be using a Happs trackball which will of course be plugged into the Minipac. If the TT2 is not plugged into the Minipac then both are going to be active all the time, yes? The Minipac has an "over-ride" feature where you wait ten seconds or so and the next device moved becomes the active one. I really want this feature which is why I want to plug the TT2 into the Minipac.

Jeffy... it seems from your post you are using two spinners on the same panel? (TT2 plus Oscar?). If so then i can see exactly why one is plugged in separately.

[u_rebelscum]

You might be able to connect the TT2 (slave) to the minipac, but I'm not sure the minipac is up to the TT2's resolution.  There are ways you can make it so the TT2 & TB not override each other without hooking both to the minipac.  IMO, the best is in mame, enable -multimouse, and the TT2 & TB will be seen as seperate devices; you'll have to do some remapping though, so TB ports are mapped to the mouse# of your TB, and spinner ports mapped to the mouse# of the spinner.

[RandyT]

Listen to u_rebel.    Configuring the devices to be independent will keep one from being active at the same time as another.  It's the easiest route if the software / OS allows it.

On the knobs, they are fastened via a set screw.  What type of set screw varies with the knob type.  If you expect to be removing the knob often, the TokenTop is the best because it uses a special set screw that won't damage the shaft when tightened down.  If using the standard knobs, it's recommended to just snug them.

A quick release would be nice, but would probably add an expense to the item that many would never see an advantage from.  The "snug" fit approach might also induce some undesirable traits, like wobble, or wearing to the point that a tight grip is no longer possible.  In the case of the TokenTop, it would also be likely to negate the variable resistance feature.

RandyT

[DeLuSioNal29]

On the knobs, they are fastened via a set screw.  What type of set screw varies with the knob type.  If you expect to be removing the knob often, the TokenTop is the best because it uses a special set screw that won't damage the shaft when tightened down.  If using the standard knobs, it's recommended to just snug them.

A quick release would be nice, but would probably add an expense to the item that many would never see an advantage from.  The "snug" fit approach might also induce some undesirable traits, like wobble, or wearing to the point that a tight grip is no longer possible.  In the case of the TokenTop, it would also be likely to negate the variable resistance feature.

RandyT

Randy,
How does the mini steering wheel attach to the existing spinner, once the token knob is removed?  Or does the mini steering wheel come with an extra spinner as shown in the pictures on the website?

~ DeLuSioNaL

[RandyT]

How does the mini steering wheel attach to the existing spinner, once the token knob is removed?  Or does the mini steering wheel come with an extra spinner as shown in the pictures on the website?

No extra spinner.  The mini-wheel simply has what is known as a "slip fit".  The weight of the wheel is so high, and the resistance of the shaft rotation so low that friction is more than sufficient for accurate operation without the need for fastening.

It just slides off and on.

RandyT