Happ Rotary Stick Issue

[carnid]

I have tried searching for a solution for this but have not managed to find one so I thought I would post here.  I recently ordered the Happ Rotary joystick and the rotary board from Ultimarc.  I managed to get everything installed easily enough, however there is a major issue with the controller.  It seems that either the microswitches are too sensitive or the joystick is not lined up right.  The problem is when I push left on the stick, it nearly always acts as down + left.  I can make it go left but it requires concentration and it is really annoying for those precise moments in games.

So I was wondering if the rotary joysticks tend to be less accurate for regular use and if not is there any way I can adjust it so it actually just goes left when I push it that way and not diagonal left + down.  Anyway, any advice would be greatly appreciated!! 

[u_rebelscum]

Happs rotary sticks are basically its super sticks with the rotary added on the bottom.  The super uses switches with levers.  I wonder if either the left or the down switch's lever is bent.

[isucamper]

I have had this exact problem and I've complained about it in a few spots and have been unable to find a good solution.

The basic issue is the actuator on the stick that presses the switches is too big.  In its neutral position, it is resting on the switches so just barely touching it is enough to engage the switches.  VERY annoying when trying to run straight left or right without ducking.

This oversensitivity has been a problem on some of Happ's other sticks lately, and the solution has been to replace the actuator.  However, on these rotary sticks, the actuator is not removable from the rotary interface.  I tried filing the actuators down but I wasn't successful.  

One thing I did try that kinda worked was I moved the switches away from the actuator.  I did this by unscrewing them and then used double stick tape to reattach them.  This actually fixed the problem, but the tape wouldn't hold for more than a few days.  If there was a better way to move the switches back, then this would be a good solution.  Possibly if we could find a different base to use with the stick and rotary interface.

If you find a solution to this, please let me know.  

[isucamper]

One more thing.  One thing that helps just a bit is to loosen the switches from the base just a bit.  One of my rotary sticks had this problem so bad that it would get stuck in one direction.  You'd press left, the switch would engage, you'd move the stick back to it's neutral position, and the switch wouldn't disengage.  Loosening the switch fixed it from getting stuck, but it's still way too sensitive. 

[carnid]

Hmm that's annoying, it doesn't look like anything is bent out of shape.  Thanks anyway both of you for your advice   I wonder if there is a way to tighten the micro switches themselves so they don't click as easily.  I am starting to realize all this hassle to play Midnight Resistance might have been in vain.

[mytymaus007]

THOSE HAPP rotary sticks!!!!! DOES anyone make SHAFT replacement with an hexagon handle or something like the original Ikari warrior stick. I dont know about you guys but my hands get very tired after a game or 2. Let get a replacement Handle over here for Happ rotary sticks

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.quarterarcade.com/img/vol3/1270_0_pf.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.quarterarcade.com/Game.aspx/1270&usg=__uV1IhLopUFoClG-otKG3NB-BtGY=&h=163&w=150&sz=5&hl=en&start=37&um=1&tbnid=Pp08e90KhxxZ8M:&tbnh=98&tbnw=90&prev=/images%3Fq%3DIkari%2Bwarrior%2B%2Brotary%2Boystick%26ndsp%3D18%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26start%3D36%26um%3D1

[DashRendar]

Hate to bump an older thread, but I'm having this problem with my Happ trigger stick (Tron stick).

Isucamper- when you mention the actuator, are you referring to the white plastic block?

If so, I wonder if it might be possible to make a new actuator (out of wood) that is shaved down a bit.  Although it would probably rotate if it's shaved down too much.

Unless you could line it with some spongy foam material.  Has anyone else run into this problem and figured out a solution?

It's screwing up my Discs of Tron games, heh.

[isucamper]

on the rotary sticks, the actuator is not removable

[DashRendar]

I wonder if the metal leaves on the microswitches can be bent a bit (without snapping) to better control the contacts.

Or shave down the red switch buttons themselves in the microswitches.

This Happ trigger stick was VERY expensive, and right now it's nearly unusable.  Just like what you guys ran into with your Happ rotaries, it is too sensitive and not detecting movement right.

[isucamper]

yeah, I know what you mean

I fiddled with it a while before giving up and deciding to live with it

what did actually work for a little while is taking the microswitches off and taping them back on a few centimeters further from the shaft.  of course, this only lasts for a day or two before your switches are falling off the stick.  if there was a better way to reattach them, this would be a good solution, but I couldn't find one.  basically, I was taping them on top of the grooves that hold them in place.  This switches don't sit flush with the base, but they don't need to.

honeslty, if your actuator is removable, that'll be your best bet.  I think people were replacing actuators on the competitions a while back and it fixed the issue for them.  I tried filing the actuator down, but that was too much work.