Winter + PS2 DS2 Controller + Static = Dead Controller

[hypernova]

*sigh*

I've now shocked 3 of the wired PS2 controllers (Sony brand) to death.  Now the triangle button doesn't work, which is kind of important in FF games (Menu).

When we got this couch two summers ago, we had no idea it'd be such a static producer.  I learned after the second death what to do during last winter.  Discharge before sitting down and grabbing the controller, and when I'm ready to get up, grab the cord, and place it to the side while I get up and then discharge again.

By the way, did you know it doesn't hurt to discharge through your feet?

Well, now I'm without a controller.  Anyone ever have any other issues with other wired console controllers and static?  PS2 is the only one I've ever had issues with.

[Slippyblade]

I'm a little confused on how that could even happen.  When gripping the controller, the guts are not electrically connected to the outside.  I don't see how static could even get to anything.  Not to mention that if it's plugged into the console you have complete circuits so even if static did discharge into the controller guts it should be sunk through the console.

Not doubting that it happened, just confused on the physics of it happening.

[pbj]

Absolutely.  In St. Louis a spark jumped off my dog onto an Xbox controller wire as she walked by and it completely killed that controller.

In Las Vegas, my wife, brother, and I killed -12- games between ourselves at the Gameworks from static.  Things like sparks flying off ---my bottom--- as I was sitting on a jet ski game.  I killed a Marvel vs Capcom from having a spark jump from my hand to a pushbutton.  If it hadn't happened to me, I wouldn't believe it was possible. 

 

[Slippyblade]

Things like sparks flying off ---my bottom--- as I was sitting on a jet ski game.

Sorry man, ---my bottom--- killed your machine.  No, not THAT way...

[northerngames]

I hear that and look at pbj's avatar and cannot stop giggling while I try to picture what the scene would have looked like.

[hypernova]

I'm a little confused on how that could even happen.  When gripping the controller, the guts are not electrically connected to the outside.  I don't see how static could even get to anything.  Not to mention that if it's plugged into the console you have complete circuits so even if static did discharge into the controller guts it should be sunk through the console.

Not doubting that it happened, just confused on the physics of it happening.

Believe me, I'm still a little confused by it as well.  The first time or two, it happened from my index finger over an L button.  Yesterday it was through the casing where my ring finger is placed.  Somehow it passed through the plastic.  From NES, SNES, N64, PS1, and finally Gamecube, I've never had an issue with wired controllers like this.  I'm pretty sure I've had the same conditions while using the GC controllers, and I've had no issues so far.

Obviously, wireless controllers are immune to this phenomenon.  And heck, I may be frying the controllers, but it could be worse.  I'm damn glad it's not traveling into the PS2 and destroying it.  I've heard the PS3 can shock pretty well, too.  Though I've not heard of any killing it.  I'm guessing because consoles themselves are properly grounded, and can handle the sometimes massive voltages that can get discharged.  Controllers probably aren't equipped to handle such high numbers.

[SavannahLion]

Attach a bare wire or small chain to the fabric on the underside of your couch. Make sure it touches the floor. Don't jam the wire into the ground of your house circuit. Not sure if it works with carpeted floors. Worked on my couch.

IIRC, I don't think the PS2 uses a three prong. It uses hot and neutral. Check the wiring in your socket to make sure it's correct. I used to shocked all the time until I discovered the wiring in my old place was wrong.

[ark_ader]

Absolutely.  In St. Louis a spark jumped off my dog onto an Xbox controller wire as she walked by and it completely killed that controller.

In Las Vegas, my wife, brother, and I killed -12- games between ourselves at the Gameworks from static.  Things like sparks flying off ---my bottom--- as I was sitting on a jet ski game.  I killed a Marvel vs Capcom from having a spark jump from my hand to a pushbutton.  If it hadn't happened to me, I wouldn't believe it was possible. 

 

 

I have to ground myself and learn to pick up my feet more, but I still get zapped.  Not had any gaming failures but its frightening when you see arcs while pressing the laptop power button.  Summer is not too bad but winter hurts in the desert with metal objects.  I should get the multimeter out and see how many gigawatts I am generating.   

[Well Fed Games]

One of my earliest memories of computers is being young (3rd grade maybe?) and skipping down the carpeted school hallway (i was a skipping sort of kid) then grabbing the mouse on our classroom's Mac. Enough charge at least to scramble the display and make my teachers very anxious. For years after I was cautious around computers, thinking they could break at the slightest touch.

Now my anxiety around arcade PCBs, even with the right precautions, is still really high.

[hypernova]

Gamecube seems built better.  At work today, decided to use my sleeve to wipe the TV (CRT).  I was holding the controller in my left hand, and ZAP, right through the ring finger again where it's held, the same equivalent spot as the PS2.  Pretty strong shock again.

No issues with it.  It played normally, and all buttons and sticks worked just fine.  Sony, you suck.

savannah-does it have to be completely bare from beginning to end?  Or can it be any old wire with an insulation sheath?

[SavannahLion]

I can't see why you can't. Just make sure that you're not insulating the couch from the floor with the sheath.

[hypernova]

I'll try it out.  It won't work on carpet.  I know that for certain, because I don't discharge until my foot contacts the metal fringe between the carpet and linoleum.  I'll run something to touch that...now just to figure out what to do regarding the chairs that aren't next to that metal fringe.

[hypernova]

I did try the wire thing.  Didn't seem to work.  I'm guessing since the material isn't very conductive unto itself, the charge I create isn't able to actually go anywhere except stick to me.

Had a few new observations:
1.  Wife stepped on the connection where the extension cord met the controller cord.  Heard a loud electric SNAP!  No damage, which isn't surprising.  It didn't go through the controller, so it was fine, and the console was good, too.

2.  Was charging a 360 controller a few days ago, I sent a static shock through it.  It had no issues afterwards.  It certainly seems the PS2 just wasn't built to handle static shocks.

3.  Touched the Wii today.  Got a nice shock.  No issues.

4.  I totally need a humidifier for these dry winter months.