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Steering Wheel Control Panel Q
paigeoliver:
--- Quote from: Minwah on May 20, 2003, 08:30:01 am ---Thanks for your reply...
I already have the shifter, and it is the type which only has 1 microswitch which is either on or off, so that would not work too well. But yes, I suppose it would be possible to add another microswitch for the other position, but not so easy to add the neutral zone, since the shifter springs either up or down.
I also plan to add pedals, but the ones I have are both analog.
Perhaps I should just figure how to code mouse/joystick support in my FE!
--- End quote ---
Ok. here is what to do to rework your shifter to be up/down + neutral.
Remove the mechanism that makes it snap into up or down. Add a second microswitch in the other position. Install a thick spring in each direction to keep it off of both switches when you are not shifting.
I can make a diagram in photoshop later if you want?
paigeoliver:
You may also want to be on the lookout for a the joystick to a Space Firebird mini or upright (but not cocktail). They are massive two ways that would fit perfect behind a hi/lo shifter plate.
I had one but I just recently traded it off.
Beley:
As an alternative to the mechanical modification that paigeoliver sugested you could make a fairly simple electronic circuit make the shifter to act like one with 2 switches or one with 2 switches and a neutral (sort of). i can make up a circuit diagram if you are interested, but paigeoliver's method might be simpler if you can find the parts
paigeoliver:
I am such a Goomba sometimes, there was a much simpler solution.
Wire UP to normally open and down to normally closed and then it will send up when up and down when down which should (with the start button), allow you to control the front end. You will have to set a big juicy delay on the front end though, since it will always be sending either up or down.
Minwah:
Thanks for all the suggestions...
paigeoliver: I had forgot that I could use the NO contact on the microswitch as another input...but I am not sure that I would want one of those inputs to be always on. As for your modified shifter idea, does this mean that it would be spring loaded into the neutral position? A photoshop pic would be great if you have time, thanks :)
shmokes: I've heard you should be able to map the buttons to keys using a program such as Joy2Key (although I have never tried it). Some FE's can be controlled using a mouse, but typically the more Windows-looking ones. I'm not sure about all the ones featured on this site, but MAMEWAH cannot be controlled by mouse atm.
Beley: How would this circuit idea work?
Rocky: I see what you mean...I have found there are 3 types of shifter configs in MAME:
1) Key pressed all the time for low gear, release for high (eg Chase HQ)
2) Keypress for low, different keypress for high (eg OutRun)
3) Keypress to toggle high/low (eg Pole Position)
I suppose you have all of those covered, whereas the standard shifter would only work with type 1) I think.
My head is beginning to hurt :D