Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum
Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: pboreham on August 31, 2007, 04:56:28 pm
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Hi,
I've started putting my CP together today (1st one I've done as you'll know if you've been following!) and have a quick question.
I've mouting 2 Happ Super Joysticks (8 ways obviously), but when I move the sticks, the microswitches dont 'click'. When I flip the CP over and move the metal strips to the switches, then switch goes down and it 'clicks'.
This happens in all directions - when I watch it from the back, the metal is touching the red switch, but I dont think it pushes it in far enough. Will this still work, or does the click signify 'on' (god what a stupid question!!!!)
I'm using 3/4 MDF with a Lexan top - so using the long shaft provided.
Thanks for any help, this is probably such a basic newbie question!!!! :banghead:
Thanks, Paul
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What size holes did you drill? Is the shaft hitting the sides of the hole when you wiggle the joystick? ( :laugh2: )
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This may be a silly question, but did you install them properly with all the parts provided? The switches won't click unless all parts are in the right spots.
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(http://www.happcontrols.com/images/50/50608400_exploded.gif)
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This happens in all directions - when I watch it from the back, the metal is touching the red switch, but I dont think it pushes it in far enough. Will this still work, or does the click signify 'on' (god what a stupid question!!!!) :banghead:
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This may be a silly question, but did you install them properly with all the parts provided? The switches won't click unless all parts are in the right spots.
Thanks guys - think I have all the right bits installed as per that diagram - apart from the washer (the horseshoe shaped thing at the bottom of the left side of the diagram. I dont even know what that is, but I assume it holds the joystick in place?
Actually, what does that washer do?!
Anyway, the stick touches the wood when moved down, but only at the end of the throw - all other directions it is clear, but still not making the switches click.
I drilled a 'button' size hole - cannot remember exactly at the moment - 1 and 1/18th ? It fits the Happ buttons and TT2 perfect - that size!
Thanks, Paul.
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How are you holding the parts together on the joystick? The C or E clip compresses the spring and holds the parts on the stick where they can be in the proper position to hit the levers on the microswitches. It is not going to work without the clip in the correct position.
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Thanks guys - think I have all the right bits installed as per that diagram - apart from the washer (the horseshoe shaped thing at the bottom of the left side of the diagram. I dont even know what that is, but I assume it holds the joystick in place?
Actually, what does that washer do?!
It's called an e-clip, and it sides into the groove in the stick and holds everything together. If you didn't have this, everything would fall off. So either you did put this on, or if you didn't as you say, you're holding it together incorrectly.
Anyway, the stick touches the wood when moved down, but only at the end of the throw - all other directions it is clear, but still not making the switches click.
I drilled a 'button' size hole - cannot remember exactly at the moment - 1 and 1/18th ? It fits the Happ buttons and TT2 perfect - that size!
A 1 1/8" hole is a little small if you didn't route the bottom of a 3/4" panel. It will rub, but should work if the stick is close to center of the hole. (It's not enough if you also have plexi on top of the CP, but doesn't sound like you have plexi).
But you say it still doesn't click even on directions it doesn't rub, so check on the e-clip. Make sure the stick isn't loose.
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thanks for that - i must be really dumb as I cannot see how the clip attaches! Does it just go at the bottom of the shaft which pokes through the bottom of the 'box' part?
The controller arrived pre-made and I just had to add the shaft, long sleeve and a cone shaped plastic part to the top of the control box (under the dust cover).
I'm useless at this!!!
As for the size, shall I just make the hole bigger, or is it best to router the bottom of the cp? (I am using Plexi - or rather Lexan by the way!) Guess its easier to router the wood, than making the hole in the lexan bigger and risking cracking???
Thanks for your help again!
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The thing that looks like two cones glued together is the the part that should be hitting the metal bar on the switch. The narrower side at the bottom is 4 way, narrower side at top is for 8 way. Slide that up there should be some tension against the spring. At the bottom of the shaft there are two grooves. Push that part up high enough so you can slide that clip in a groove. You will most likely need some pliers to get the e-clip to snap into place. Hope that helps. Which groove to use is determined by how far you want the stick to come out of the top. Longer stick use the bottom groove, shorter stick use the top groove. I don't know if your sticks are bottom mounted or recessed from the top.
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If it feels like you need 3 hands to set the clip in place (with pliers) and hold everything together with tension on the spring then you are doing it right. It is not easy and takes patience until you get the feel.
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If you take the sticks out of the wood and move them around do the microswitches click? If they do, then the wood is your problem. If they don't you'll need to reassemble your sticks as that is the problem.
thanks for that - i must be really dumb as I cannot see how the clip attaches! Does it just go at the bottom of the shaft which pokes through the bottom of the 'box' part?
I have Competitions, not Supers, but I need to hold the shaft of the stick from the top and press the plastic actuator from the bottom towards the top. This "reveals" a slot in the shaft which the e-clip "slides" into. It is easier to slide it in than it is to slide it out. I can put it back in by hand. I need needle-nose pliers and/or a screwdriver to remove them.
As for the size, shall I just make the hole bigger, or is it best to router the bottom of the cp? (I am using Plexi - or rather Lexan by the way!) Guess its easier to router the wood, than making the hole in the lexan bigger and risking cracking???
I have Competitions in a 1/2" wood CP, and the sticks don't rub the wood. So I say remove 1/4" from the bottom of your 3/4" MDF and you should be fine. I'm assuming that the shaft is dead center in the 1 1/8" hole, if it's off, you might have a problem with one direction.
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The thing that looks like two cones glued together is the the part that should be hitting the metal bar on the switch. The narrower side at the bottom is 4 way, narrower side at top is for 8 way. Slide that up there should be some tension against the spring. At the bottom of the shaft there are two grooves. Push that part up high enough so you can slide that clip in a groove. You will most likely need some pliers to get the e-clip to snap into place. Hope that helps. Which groove to use is determined by how far you want the stick to come out of the top. Longer stick use the bottom groove, shorter stick use the top groove. I don't know if your sticks are bottom mounted or recessed from the top.
Waiiiiit a minute (this is going to make me dumb poster of the month)...
The 2 'cone' part has to be installed AS WELL at the bottom of the shaft? When I look at the bottom there is already a cone shape there, so I assumed one was already installed?
I've just taken the controller out of the CP and tested it with the cone on and indeed it clicks the switches... but, it only just shows me the very bottom ring on the shaft to slide the clip onto. Once its back in the wood, it wont be possible to get the clip on? How much pressure do you have to put on sliding the pastic thing on the controller up before you can slide the clip on?
I feel so stoopid!
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To save anybody wasting any more time, I am officially an idiot! :laugh2:
Now working - once I installed ALL the parts as you guys advised... I'll creep quietly out of the room now and let you all carry on!
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Well, don't take it too hard. Those exploded view diagrams from Happ aren't the greatest, and it took me a little while to figure out where everything went myself.