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Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: processedmeat on August 12, 2015, 03:04:10 am

Title: Does this wiring work?
Post by: processedmeat on August 12, 2015, 03:04:10 am
Since Gameex can't tell the difference between button 8 from player 1 gamepad vs button 8 gamepad, I was short a few inputs on my Xin-mo when it came to me wanting to install an additional 4 way joystick to my already two 8 way joystick setup that has 3 admin buttons.

If I map each direction of the 4 way joystick to a specific button press e.g. button 6,7,8,9, I would not have enough inputs for my admin buttons.

I know in Gameex the admin buttons can be a combination of button presses e.g. 6,7,8, so I tried wiring an admin button by splitting the wire to three of the inputs on the Xin-mo and I was successful in registering a simultaneous 6,7,8.

However, the problem was that since each direction of the 4 way joystick was also connected to the same inputs on the Xin-mo, whenever I moved the joystick, it would also register the same simultaneous 6,7,8 and not the individual directions.

I tried using fast switching diodes 1N4148 to isolate the joystick inputs from the admin buttons inputs, but I ended up not being to register any button presses at all. 

Am I using the wrong diodes?  Or is this completely not possible and I would be resigned to getting another joystick controller.   Could I use some logic 74LS series here?

Thanks for any help that you have.

Title: Re: Does this wiring work?
Post by: eds1275 on August 12, 2015, 03:28:41 am
Why not just wire in with one of the 8 ways? It's not like you're using them both at the same time.
Title: Re: Does this wiring work?
Post by: PL1 on August 12, 2015, 04:34:17 am
Why not just wire in with one of the 8 ways? It's not like you're using them both at the same time.
+1

To wire the 4-way and 8-way in parallel, connect them like this.

When lines cross, a dot = connected and no dot = not connected.

(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=129056.0;attach=273345;image)


Scott
Title: Re: Does this wiring work?
Post by: processedmeat on August 12, 2015, 06:52:47 pm
Why not just wire in with one of the 8 ways? It's not like you're using them both at the same time.

Sorry I should have clarified.

I would like to have the third joystick available as a third player e.g. rampage, turtles, simpsons.  It's a switching 4-8 way joystick.  Not a great option but an option.
Title: Re: Does this wiring work?
Post by: JDFan on August 12, 2015, 07:23:35 pm
How many buttons per player are set up ?? -- could set up the third joystick to share buttons 5 and 6 of players 1 and 2  since those would not be being used when using the 3 joys ( most 3 player games don't use more than 4 buttons per player - problem being if one of the players 1 or 2 has a tendency to press buttons that are shared when not in use the game will think player 3 is moving that direction.

Might be easier to suggest options if you list what the entire setup you want (ie. 3 joys with x number of buttons per player 1,2 ,3 and x number of admin buttons etc. -- And is it a 1 player or 2 player Xin mo ( 16 or 30 inputs ???) - as that makes a difference in available setup options !!

The admin buttons can be setup as impossible button presses (ie. Player 1 Up and Down or Player 2 left and right for example ) - since that key combination can not ever be pressed on the normal inputs (joystick can not be pressing up and down or left and right at the same time !!) - so any time both presses are entered it will only enter the admin function unlike if sharing say buttons 3 and 4 where a player could hit both by mistake and open the admin function !
Title: Re: Does this wiring work?
Post by: Malenko on August 12, 2015, 08:09:40 pm
either get a new encoder that covers all the inputs you need, or add on a cheap encoder like a zero delay board.

"The right tool for the job" would be the choice I'd make but its your project and your money.
Title: Re: Does this wiring work?
Post by: processedmeat on August 13, 2015, 12:35:21 am
The admin buttons can be setup as impossible button presses (ie. Player 1 Up and Down or Player 2 left and right for example ) - since that key combination can not ever be pressed on the normal inputs (joystick can not be pressing up and down or left and right at the same time !!) - so any time both presses are entered it will only enter the admin function unlike if sharing say buttons 3 and 4 where a player could hit both by mistake and open the admin function !

Yes, this is what I'm trying to do.  However, if I wire the admin buttons together in parallel with the directional microswitches on the joystick, then they seem to interfere with each other.  Any simple ideas before I have to get a bigger microcontroller?
Title: Re: Does this wiring work?
Post by: JDFan on August 13, 2015, 09:49:19 am
Yes, this is what I'm trying to do.  However, if I wire the admin buttons together in parallel with the directional microswitches on the joystick, then they seem to interfere with each other.  Any simple ideas before I have to get a bigger microcontroller?

Degenetrons posted some directions on extended mappings for the Kade encoder which can also be used for the Xin mo -  HERE ( https://sites.google.com/site/degenatrons/controller-interfaces/usb-keyboard-encoder/resources ) - Main thing is to use button combos for the admin buttons that are not going to be input together while in game like Joystick 1 up and joystick 1 down - that way you do not get the type of problem you mention because there is no way the players can enter those conflicting key strokes !

Quote
Extended Mappings (Advanced)

The extended mapping groups provide support for more buttons by making use of key combinations that are not possible via the arcade controls. 
There should be no conflicts e.g. it is not possible to move joystick up and down at same time.
The 5th and 6th buttons for player 2 are not defined as MAME defaults so you will need to update the config or you could add 2 extra buttons to player 1.
These keys and key combinations should be defined in your MAME configuration when using this extended mode.

 Key Combination                  Description
 Up Arrow + Down Arrow            P1 Start
 Left Arrow + Right Arrow            P1 Coin
 R + F                                    P2 Start
 D + G                                    P2 Coin
 Up + Down + R + F                    Cancel (Esc)
 Enter                                    Select and also P1 Button 6
 C                                            P2 Button 5 (or P1 Button 7)
 V                                            P2 Button 6 (or P1 Button 8)