USB Happ TB and Back Spin. Difficult to repair?

[AMDman13]

About 2 months ago I started to have horrible backspin problems with my Happ USB TB. It's been working fine for over two years but now it's decide to screw with me. I been doing some research here on the board and have found a few people mention replacing the USB green optic boards with the new red arcade boards. How difficult are we talking here? Besides purchasing an Opti-pack? Is the red board an exact replacement or am I going to have to do some serious modification? Thanks in advance!

[AndyWarne]

The USB version of the Happ trackball does not use the same optical boards as the non-USB.

You would either need to get replacement USB boards, or, if using the non-USB boards you would need to hook up to an interface, eg Opti-PAC, U-HID Nano etc.

Andy

[AMDman13]

Thanks Andy! I got no problem with buying a Opti Pac if it's going to upgrade and fix this trac ball. How difficult is it to remove the USB boards and connect the non USB boards?

[AndyWarne]

Physically replacing the boards is easy but the connections are different. We might be able to put together some kind of kit for this because we have some Happ boards and the correct connectors. The U-HID Nano is the most cost-effective option unless you are planning to connect other optical devices in the future.
If you can drop me an email I'll work out a price for a kit of parts.
You might like to check out the Happ replacement parts cost though as this would of course be the quickest method of getting it working, although there have been some reports of issues even with new USB Happ boards.

[TOK]

This is something that goes bad on the boards causing it? I haven't read much, but was always under the impression that it was a problem with those boards right from the start, not something that went bad.

You sure some settings in MAME didn't get changed?

[AndyWarne]

You sure some settings in MAME didn't get changed?

Good point, does it backspin in Windows?

Also worth checking for binding rollers, sometimes the ball slipping on the rollers can cause this.

It has been mentioned here that the Happ USB trackball suffers from backspin when spun fast from new. Thats another issue though.

[RandyT]

This is something that goes bad on the boards causing it? I haven't read much, but was always under the impression that it was a problem with those boards right from the start, not something that went bad.

Based on everything I have been reading about the issue, my guess is that the IR LED's in the opto-sensors dim over time.  They could have been over-driven in the earlier design, or just didn't live up to their longevity specs.  Most of the issues I've seen posted seem to pop up after a certain time period, and get progressively worse.

Also worth checking for binding rollers, sometimes the ball slipping on the rollers can cause this.

Not sure how this could be.  Choppy or singular axis motion, but not "backspin".  Can you elaborate?

RandyT

[CheffoJeffo]

FWIW (and it may not be worth much), I had a non-USB Happ trackball exhibit these same symptoms today (PS died a while back in the machine and I only replaced it last night) and replacing the optic boards solved the problem in that specific case.

I have a Happ trackball with USB interface, but it has never posed any problems with respect to backspin.

[AMDman13]

Thanks for all of the advice! Randy, yes it is also displaying these symptoms in Windows. What I am experiencing is best explained using World Class Bowling as a reference. When the TB is spun fast as in World Class Bowling the gameplay will hesitate as the trackball is spinning like mad and then suddenly the game will pick up the movement, but will result usually as a slow take off and will result as a foul.

Andy thank you for the fantastic offer!  I will check with Happ and see what the cost of replacement USB boards is and let you know. Does anyone know the part # on the replacement USB boards?

[AndyWarne]

Also worth checking for binding rollers, sometimes the ball slipping on the rollers can cause this.

Not sure how this could be.  Choppy or singular axis motion, but not "backspin".  Can you elaborate?

RandyT

Binding rollers would not cause backspin but sometimes the problem is not described 100% accurately. It would cause hesitation, which the OP does seem to have.

[AMDman13]

Looks like its time to pop the hood and take this baby apart. I'll be sure to post back with my findings. Although I won't have a chance until Saturday. Thanks all!

[AMDman13]

Well guys I went the USB replacement board route with not much luck. I have taken the entire TB apart cleaned a greased the rollers and replaced the boards.

The new USB boards are creating backspin also, although not as bad as the old ones. Andy you had mentioned,

You would either need to get replacement USB boards, or, if using the non-USB boards you would need to hook up to an interface, eg Opti-PAC, U-HID Nano etc.

 

Does this mean physically speaking the red arcade boards will replace and fit on to this usb trackball chassis? I just need to buy the red arcade boards and then an interface to hook them up to such as a Opti-Pac USB? This would certainly be cheaper than purchasing an entire new arcade style trackball in addition to the Opti-Pac.

[AndyWarne]

Does this mean physically speaking the red arcade boards will replace and fit on to this usb trackball chassis? I just need to buy the red arcade boards and then an interface to hook them up to such as a Opti-Pac USB? This would certainly be cheaper than purchasing an entire new arcade style trackball in addition to the Opti-Pac.

Yes I believe the housings are the same. Are you sure its not something else such as the ball slipping on the rollers? Although this would not cause backspin as such, it can sometimes cause hesitation.
I am wondering what the issue is with these USB boards. Someone mentioned on another thread they only had backspin in one direction which indicates a problem with the optical sensor(s) rather than the USB interface itself.
Andy

[AMDman13]

I'm not sure if it's the ball slipping on the rollers? I suppose that's always a possibility. How do you eliminate the ball from slipping on the rollers? It does only happen during high rpm spins. And the ball does sound as if it might be slipping during the fast spins.

I have cleaned the rollers with Isopropyl alcohol and oiled all of the bearings. Is there anything else I should be doing to  keep smooth operation?

[AndyWarne]

Its possible that oiling the bearings might make the problem worse rather than better.

You could try spinning the rollers on their own and see if you still get the problem, thus proving whether its a slippage problem.
Andy

[Derrick Renaud]

I just had a strange problem with my Happs Hi-ball trackball.  It started sticking left to right.  I had the arcade cabinet on all day and it is near the thermostat.  So the longer the cab is on, the colder the house gets because it thinks its warm from the cab heat.

I turned the lamp on, which is a bulb not an LED under the ball, and then after 15-30 minutes it started working smoothly.  Same thing happened today with the machine being cold when I was at work and the setback temperature cooling things off.

Just enough heat to warm the bearings, I assume.  Just thought I'd mention it.

[edit] finally took it a part and cleaned it.  Works much better and I don't have to wait for the gunk to get warm and loosen up.   

[AMDman13]

Just an update.
I bit the bullet and bought a new 3" Arcade "Red board" TB and Optipac with USB. This is way better than the Happ USB trackball. Way more responsive to speed and super smooth! Huge improvement! No comparison. Just a note. I think I could have simply ordered the "Red boards and the corresponding arcade connector.  From what I can see the two TB's are identical except the boards and connector.

[u_rebelscum]

... Just a note. I think I could have simply ordered the "Red boards and the corresponding arcade connector.  From what I can see the two TB's are identical except the boards and connector.

Good to have this comfirmed.  Happs exploded views of the arcade TB & USB TB show all the same part numbers except for the boards & connector, but the dimension pics aren't perfect.