How do I connect a Happ trackball to my PC? It has been a while.

[unclet]

I am assuming I need to have a USB mouse so I can connect the wires from the trackball to the mouse wires somehow then I can connect the USB plug into my Hub and it should work .... right?

If so, how do I connect the wires from the trackball to the mouse PCB?  Any pictures showing how to do this?   Any other way to connect a trackball to the PC?

Here are some pics of the trackball.

[divemaster127]

Looks like you need a optipac from ultimarc to hook your tb to, if you tb is not usb

[bkenobi]

Several ways will work. 

• optiwiz (GGG) - $15
• optipac (Ultimarc) - $40 (more features than optiwiz)
• UHID (Ultimarc) - $35-$80 (tons of features)
• Mouse hack - FREE-$10 (cheapest and not hard)

[taylormadelv]

#5) Mikes arcade trackball adaptor. You might have to hack wires if the molex connectors don't match.

[EwJ]

wiki page re: optical encoders.
See 'Relevant Link at bottom of page for mousehack pdf.

Easy to do but for the price of an optiwiz or mikesarcade...?

edit-add url

[Dazz]

Wouldn't this product do it as well?

USB-PS/2 Trackball Interface Kit

From divemaster127 store site:

Kit converts existing 2-1/4”, 3”, or 4-1/2" Happ trackballs to work with USB or PS/2 Simply replace the optic boards on the existing trackball with the included new optic boards and harness Connects directly to either a USB or PS/2 port on a PC Compatible with Windows 98™, Windows 2000™, Windows ME™, and Apple Macintosh iMac TM, Power PC™, with OS 8.5 or higher, Linux™ with USB HID support No external power supply needed Automatically detects whether it is connected to a USB of PS/2 port and configures itself accordingly Supports up to three buttons (sold separately) Includes both .187” and .250” terminal connectors for pushbutton switches

Price: $46.99

Price seems to be a bit higher than others, but this looks like another possible solution.

[northerngames]

optiwiz is what I used its the cheapest next to a mouse hack but the $5.00 more for the optiwiz over a mouse save's you an hour of hacking time plus in the end it still may not work or have something goofy where the optiz is already setup and ready to go.

you can also hook up a spinner to the optiwiz along with the trackball so thats a plus over the mouse hack also.

[CheffoJeffo]

Wouldn't this product do it as well?

USB-PS/2 Trackball Interface Kit

Price seems to be a bit higher than others, but this looks like another possible solution.

Yep ... I picked one up years ago and have had no problems with it. However, Happ did have a batch of bad boards at some point, so you'll see mixed reviews.

[mwong168]

I have the same trackball as you and went with an OptiWiz from GroovyGameGear.  RandyT sent me this wiring diagram before and followed it and everything worked flawlessly.

[unclet]

Thanks for everyone's input .... I really appreciate it.