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| How do you make the control panels. |
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| Donkey_Kong:
You just need a keyboard encoder, that's the main thing. It sends button presses and joystick movements to your computer via USB. So you need a flat headed (standard) screw driver. wire, buttons, and joystick. You run the wires from the encoder (pictured below) to your buttons and joystick(s). Thats it! Encoder (Ipac) That is the main idea. You do have to run a daisy chain (ground) from ALL of your buttons and joystick cherry switches as well, but it is super easy. The reason I'm making this post and have posted the picture of the Ipac, is because I was in the same boat as you when I wanted to learn this. Then someone posted a picture of the Ipac and I knew I could do it then. It is super easy. You can also get a Keywhiz from a different source, and it does essentially the same thing. I will link to either of those places now. First, is a link to where you can buy the Ipac (pictured above located in the UK) http://www.ultimarc.com/ipac1.html You can also buy a comparable encoder here (located in the US) www.groovygamegear.com :cheers: |
| ArtsNFartsNCrafts:
You'll need, the aforementioned encoder, 22 guage wire (I think that's the right guage), and some quick-disconnect connectors for 22 guage wire, and wire strimper, and a crimper. I went to radio shack and said, "I need all this stuff," and the guy just picked it all out for me. As for wiring, each button will have a microswitch attached to it, and each joystick will (usually) have 4. They look like this: Each one has three prongs, but we only bother with two of the three: the COM prong, and the NO (normally open) prong (guys, correct me if I'm wrong). To connect wire to the prong, you'll use a quick disconnect: (see #4 in this pic): To add a quick disconnect to wire, you strip some of the insulation off the wire, and insert it into the quick disconnect, then you use a crimping tool to secure it in place. Each little quick disconnect connector that you crimp slides onto the specified prongs on each microswitch. there is a spot on the encoder that says "com". You twist the screw up on that, insert some wire, twist the screw back down, and then make a chain of connections from this spot to each of the "COM" prongs on each of your switches. This is your ground. It's a "daisy chain." Then, for each of your buttons, you take a length of wire and connect it to the proper spot on the encoder, then crimp the other end of the wire w/ a quick disconnect, and put that connector on the "NO" prong on the microswitch (it's usually labeled). does that help any? |
| rrcade:
You can use crimp connectors, and I have but usually I just solder every wire, then you know you have a good connection, they'll never get knocked loose and you don't have to worry about a bad crimp, not to mention soldering is cheaper. |
| Jdurg:
--- Quote from: rrcade on March 05, 2008, 11:28:34 am ---You can use crimp connectors, and I have but usually I just solder every wire, then you know you have a good connection, they'll never get knocked loose and you don't have to worry about a bad crimp, not to mention soldering is cheaper. --- End quote --- But if you have ANY problems crop up at all with your control panel you'll have to go and get your soldering iron and hope that you don't screw up any connections in the somewhat crowded CP. Basically, soldering them on is like gluing your joysticks and buttons to your CP. Yes, it's far more secure, but it also prevents you from every replacing the problematic parts without potentially damaging everything else. |
| LoyalistRevolt:
this helped alot thanks! ;D |
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