Dremcast controller hack

[LoyalistRevolt]

how would you go about doing this and what makes it a hack and not just soldering.

[HaRuMaN]

how would you go about doing this and what makes it a hack and not just soldering.

I'm not sure what your question is exactly...  I've probably done about 50 dreamcast controller hacks for people on these boards...  what is you want to know?

[LoyalistRevolt]

I would like to know how to do one.

[HaRuMaN]

I would like to know how to do one.

Ahh ok.  In the next couple of days I will be doing a dreamcast controller hack.  I can take some pictures, and give some instructions.

The dreamcast hack is fairly easy, there is a common ground, and the points aren't too difficult to solder to, once you remove the black stuff off the contacts.  (I use a Dremel and wire wheel to expose the copper underneath to solder to).

[LoyalistRevolt]

Thanks I'll be counting on you

[HaRuMaN]

Thanks I'll be counting on you

No problem.  I should have it done in a couple of days.  In the meantime, you can take a look at my Xbox 360 controller hack tutorial.  The link is under my Gamertag.  It should give you somewhat of an idea of what you need, even though the dreamcast will be simpler to do.

[LoyalistRevolt]

One more question could I do this with on I already messed up? I jumped the gun and soldered a wire to the a button. By the way could you get on aim?

[Kajoq]

Use a madcatz pad instead of the official controller.

The L/R triggers on the official controllers have a frame of lag on them

[Kaytrim]

Here is a pic of a pad with solder points marked.

[LoyalistRevolt]

Yea I used that but I had no idea what to do after the soldering

[Kaytrim]

Daisy chain the ground wire to all the buttons and the joystick.  Then connect each button and joystick direction to the pad.  Just like you saw in the video in the other thread.  Then you can plug in the pad into the console and you should be good to go.  This case doesn't have a pad but the wiring to the buttons and joystick are done.  This should give you a good idea.  I hope these help.



Here is another one with a Playstation pad but it should help as well.  The black wire (ground) you can see going from button to button.  Then each wire from the pad goes to the appropriate button or joystick direction.

[LoyalistRevolt]

do I strip them all

[Kaytrim]

Just strip the ends where they will be connected to the switch and the pad.  About 1/4" will be enough.

[LoyalistRevolt]

Could I shave the pad using a exactokife and how would the wires connect to the microswiches if there not bare?

[Kaytrim]

Just the ends need to be bare.  Strip off the insulation at the end of the wire.   If you were to bare the entire wire from end to end then you will have shorts all over the place.

Using an exacto knife will do the job.  Just don't be too rough, you want to leave the coper on the pad.

[LoyalistRevolt]

Wow thanks you were a lot of help...anyway do I still need an I-pac for this? Also could tin wire work?

[HaRuMaN]

Using an exacto knife will do the job.  Just don't be too rough, you want to leave the coper on the pad.

This is why I use a dremel + wire wheel at the lowest speed + light pressure.

[Kaytrim]

Wow thanks you were a lot of help...anyway do I still need an I-pac for this? Also could tin wire work?

If you are doing this for a dreamcast console only then no you don't need an I-Pac.  If you are building a control panel for a MAME machine then you will need an I-Pac, GP-Wiz or Key-Wiz to interface with the computer.  As long as the wire you use will hold solder then it should work.

TTFN
Kaytrim

[LoyalistRevolt]

Ok I think I got it all I need to do it strip the controller to copper....then solder all the wires to there spot....then, connect them to the buttons and your done?

[LoyalistRevolt]

Sorry for double posting but after I got all the material I pretty much knew what to do I just have a quick question is there anyway to check if your doing it right as you go?

[waveryder]

Just wanted to add my £0.02 here. Dreamcast hacks can be a bit dodgy. Before you dream about plugin a dreamcast hack into the console you should check each connection with a multimeter! The dreamcasts I/O board is really sensitive and will blow its F1 resistor if you've got a dodgy connection. Lots of info on the net for this. Its speculated that sega originally did this to slim the number of 3rd party controllers. Anyway I blew one on my original dreamcasts when I did my very first hack. Be aware as well if your doing an analogue and digital dreamcast hack you need to use a 4 pole switch to dont connect all of them at the same time. Hope that helps.

[HaRuMaN]

Just wanted to add my £0.02 here. Dreamcast hacks can be a bit dodgy. Before you dream about plugin a dreamcast hack into the console you should check each connection with a multimeter! The dreamcasts I/O board is really sensitive and will blow its F1 resistor if you've got a dodgy connection. Lots of info on the net for this. Its speculated that sega originally did this to slim the number of 3rd party controllers. Anyway I blew one on my original dreamcasts when I did my very first hack. Be aware as well if your doing an analogue and digital dreamcast hack you need to use a 4 pole switch to dont connect all of them at the same time. Hope that helps.

Yeah, I blew my F1 resistor once.  Had a short in a hack that I didn't notice.  It can be fixed by replacing the resistor, but you have to decase your dreamcast to get to it.

[LoyalistRevolt]

Great now I have to go out and buy a fricking multimeter soooo much money!!!!

[HaRuMaN]

Great now I have to go out and buy a fricking multimeter soooo much money!!!!

Or you can buy one of my hacks and save yourself the headache.   

Guaranteed to work and not blow the F1 resistor.

On the other hand, you should be able to get a multimeter that will do what you need for fairly cheap.  And if you plan on being in this hobby for a while, its a good tool to have around!

[Fozzy The Bear]

Great now I have to go out and buy a fricking multimeter soooo much money!!!!

Who said anything about building arcade controls costing you nothing. Get used to spending money or find something else to do.

Best Regards,
Julian (Fozzy The Bear)

[LoyalistRevolt]

Great now I have to go out and buy a fricking multimeter soooo much money!!!!

Who said anything about building arcade controls costing you nothing. Get used to spending money or find something else to do.

Best Regards,
Julian (Fozzy The Bear)

Wow what was that all about?

[Kaytrim]

Great now I have to go out and buy a fricking multimeter soooo much money!!!!

Who said anything about building arcade controls costing you nothing. Get used to spending money or find something else to do.

Best Regards,
Julian (Fozzy The Bear)

Wow what was that all about?

Just the fact that this and any hobby will take money.  If you don't like to spend money then forget about a hobby.  If you want to play around with arcade controls then get the tools that will help prevent damage thus wasting money.

TBH a multimeter won't set you back too much.

[LoyalistRevolt]

I mean duhh hobbies set you pack a pretty penny , for my game collecting I have spent near 1250$, just where did all that anger come from.....

[TelcoLou]

I mean duhh hobbies set you pack a pretty penny , for my game collecting I have spent near 1250$, just where did all that anger come from.....

... the only anger I see came from your post:

Great now I have to go out and buy a fricking multimeter soooo much money!!!! 

... note the angry, swearing little red round guy on his soap box. Quite a few folks here have been holding your hand trying to help you y'know.

[LoyalistRevolt]

Hey thanks guy I don't know and already don't like from flaming on my psp sale post ......hopefully this will get it across to you stay the away from me......


Also I'm Fozzy The Bear I'm sorry If I irritated you, you really helped me a lot, you deserve to be  worshiped.....

anyway a few more questions what am I looking for using the multimeter?

[DJ Silent]

Hey can you do a pictoral guide on wiring controls to an Xbox 360 controller. I want my cabinet to have the capability to hook to a 360 easily.

[HaRuMaN]

Hey can you do a pictoral guide on wiring controls to an Xbox 360 controller. I want my cabinet to have the capability to hook to a 360 easily.

Already done.

Link

[Fozzy The Bear]

Also I'm Fozzy The Bear I'm sorry If I irritated you, you really helped me a lot, you deserve to be  worshiped.....

You didn't irritate me.... It was just a comment that you should expect to spend money on this hobby. There wasn't any anger attached to it. That's the trouble with forums, written text doesn't always convey the actual meaning very well.

And no I don't! I helped you the way I help anybody who asks for it. The general idea is to stop you from making expensive mistakes that I and others have made already. But I do wish that you would take the advice given to you.

You really need to read Saint's book and the WIKI before you go jumping in feet first to all of this.

Best Regards,
Julian (Fozzy The Bear)

[LoyalistRevolt]

OMG!!!!! I MADE IT!!!! I actually did it , still has some kinks and it missing some button, but it work, ok , YESSSSSSS THANK YOU EVERYONE WHO POSTED FOR HELPING ME!!!