Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum

Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: crashwg on January 27, 2004, 02:01:07 pm

Title: Twisty switch (a pretty good solution)
Post by: crashwg on January 27, 2004, 02:01:07 pm: I came across this in the software forum (thanks SirPoonga)
http://www.techtv.com/screensavers/howto/story/0,24330,3422185,00.html (http://www.techtv.com/screensavers/howto/story/0,24330,3422185,00.html) and I thought it would be a cool thing to ad to my ever growing list of things I want to include in my cab.
So, the reason I'm posting this is because I'm wondering if a couple of different kinds of switches exist.

The first one is basicaly a knob that rotates like 10^o or 15^o left and right activating a momentary switch. <edit>and returns back to center</edit>

The second is like on a scroll mouse without a wheel, I've got one lying around the house somewhere. It's like a little nubb that you can push forward and pull back. I realize I could probably hack one out of a mouse, but I need it to reach through the mdf and plexi.
Title: Re:Twisty switch
Post by: Lilwolf on January 27, 2004, 02:17:57 pm: A few things to note:

Leaf switchs are much easier to hack them microswitchs for things like this. So if you have a few around, look at breaking them apart.

And if you can do without an arcade stick for the up/down version... you might consider going to a hardware store, and getting a 3 position light switch... and see if you can add a spring.... Might work out for you.
Title: Re:Twisty switch
Post by: Tiger-Heli on January 27, 2004, 04:14:17 pm: I think OSCAR has a page at http://www.oscarcontrols.com/volume/index.shtml on adding a volume control, but it's a potentiometer, not a momentary switch, if that helps.

I'm pretty sure at least the first switch you describe would be available, but I'm not sure where.
Title: Re:Twisty switch
Post by: MinerAl on January 27, 2004, 05:02:33 pm: That first one looks a lot like the control on the cocktail Galaxian machine. It was essentially a chicken head knob that you twisted one way or the other to move your ship, and i believe it centered itself.

Maybe there's one on ebay.
Title: Re:Twisty switch
Post by: AlexC on January 27, 2004, 05:28:54 pm: If you want a volume control knob try this one:
http://www.griffintechnology.com/products/powermate/
I think I may add that to my cab.
Title: Re:Twisty switch
Post by: crashwg on January 27, 2004, 06:35:24 pm: cool alex, that looks like it would be pretty sweet for scrolling through the thousands of games too
Title: Re:Twisty switch
Post by: crashwg on January 29, 2004, 03:50:33 pm: I may have found what I'm looking for...

http://www.geocities.com/crashwg/RCX-3R.swf (http://www.geocities.com/crashwg/RCX-3R.swf)
Title: Re:Twisty switch (a pretty good solution)
Post by: SirPoonga on January 29, 2004, 04:49:05 pm: Heh, intersting. I'm still looking for the digital receiver type of volume knob. The one that continually rotates. I have yet to find such a thing or how they work.

It would be cool if it could push to mute too.
Title: Re:Twisty switch (a pretty good solution)
Post by: crashwg on January 29, 2004, 05:17:30 pm: I have a keyboard that has a digital volume knob.
I took it apart just the other day and it's just like a scroll wheel on a mouse, it's optical and it has little dents that a spring loaded wheel so it has kindof a clicky type movement.

My home stereo has a digital knob, but I'm not willing to take that apart yet, because it's only a month old. ;)
Title: Re:Twisty switch (a pretty good solution)
Post by: Howard_Casto on January 29, 2004, 05:26:48 pm: There you go sirp.... the optic swipe is going to give a 3v burst with each spin..... duh i should have thought of that.