Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum

Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: ponyboy32 on February 20, 2005, 04:06:22 am

Title: MAME Steering Wheel Interface Question
Post by: ponyboy32 on February 20, 2005, 04:06:22 am
I am in the process of building my first MAME cabinet and I would like to incorporate a detachable steering wheel to the control panel.  If I got a PC USB steering wheel and pedals could I plug that into the PC USB port and configure it through windows/MAME or would I still need to use an encoder card? I was thinking I attach a 4-port USB hub to the control panel and then plug the steering wheel or even USB gamepad into that if they can be used by MAME.  Thanks in advance.
Title: Re: MAME Steering Wheel Interface Question
Post by: Tailgunner on February 20, 2005, 05:41:41 am
A USB based PC wheel would plug in directly to the computer or hub. If you were using a wheel from a Pole Position cab, you'd need the encoder or a mouse hack.

I would point out that PC wheels are usually 270 degree wheels, where the majority of arcade wheels are 360 degree wheels.
Title: Re: MAME Steering Wheel Interface Question
Post by: ponyboy32 on February 20, 2005, 01:54:32 pm
Thanks for the response. That clears things up a little for me. Another question, are there any PC USB wheels that can be used as both 360 and 270 degree wheels by flipping a switch or something?
Title: Re: MAME Steering Wheel Interface Question
Post by: Gunstar Hero on February 20, 2005, 02:14:15 pm
Nope.  :P

The only home use 360 wheel I've ever seen was for the Colecovision.
Title: Re: MAME Steering Wheel Interface Question
Post by: ponyboy32 on February 20, 2005, 02:21:32 pm
Ok thanks. Is there a list of driving games and what type of wheel they use anywhere? I would to just implement the 260 degree wheel but if all the games that I want to play use the 360 degree wheel then I may do both. Thanks for the info guys.
Title: Re: MAME Steering Wheel Interface Question
Post by: SirPoonga on February 20, 2005, 02:34:03 pm
Well, the closest you are going to get to know which games use what controls is this:

Note this is not complete, however it does contain almost everything that has resource.  I will be trying to update the site to the currect version of mame soon.

http://fe.donkeyfly.com/controls/gamesbycontrol.php

There's a control type thread in everything else I think.  I know one was started but I don't remember exactly where.  Check the stickies in each forum.
Title: Re: MAME Steering Wheel Interface Question
Post by: Chris on February 20, 2005, 10:57:53 pm
Nope.
Title: Re: MAME Steering Wheel Interface Question
Post by: JODY on February 20, 2005, 10:59:50 pm
Did it velcro to the center of the wheel so when you turned the wheel it turned the mouse ball?

Title: Re: MAME Steering Wheel Interface Question
Post by: quarterback on February 20, 2005, 11:02:07 pm
Don't some people clamp steering wheels to their spinners?
Title: Re: MAME Steering Wheel Interface Question
Post by: Chris on February 20, 2005, 11:03:19 pm
Did it velcro to the center of the wheel so when you turned the wheel it turned the mouse ball?
Yes.  With the tail pointing toward you, if I remember right.
Title: Re: MAME Steering Wheel Interface Question
Post by: JODY on February 20, 2005, 11:05:21 pm
Don't some people clamp steering wheels to their spinners?

Had heard of that, but I'd be afraid it would bend my spinner's shaft or something.
Title: Re: MAME Steering Wheel Interface Question
Post by: Tailgunner on February 20, 2005, 11:25:51 pm
Arcade spinners typically use a 1/4" shaft, 360 degree arcade wheels typically use a 3/4" shaft.
Title: Re: MAME Steering Wheel Interface Question
Post by: Minwah on February 21, 2005, 04:56:23 am
I would point out that PC wheels are usually 270 degree wheels, where the majority of arcade wheels are 360 degree wheels.

I think it's more 50/50, maybe with ~270deg wheel games overtaking in recent MAME versions.
Title: Re: MAME Steering Wheel Interface Question
Post by: NoOne=NBA= on February 21, 2005, 06:48:04 pm
The general trend is that there are more MULTI-player driving games in the 360 lineup, and more SINGLE player games in the 270 lineup.

For a single player only cab, you can go with whichever best supports the games YOU want to play.

For multi-player, I'd definitely go 360 though.
Title: Re: MAME Steering Wheel Interface Question
Post by: Dougmeister on February 22, 2005, 08:44:11 am
Don't some people clamp steering wheels to their spinners?

This places does (http://www.mamespinner.com/)
Title: Re: MAME Steering Wheel Interface Question
Post by: quarterback on February 22, 2005, 11:16:47 am
Don't some people clamp steering wheels to their spinners?

This places does (http://www.mamespinner.com/)

I knew I'd see it somewhere before.  I'd have the same concerns expressed by others: that the spinner wouldn't take it and I'd bend it all out of whack