HAPP USB Trackball Stand Alone Project

[MameMaster!]

Greet All!...

Well I just purchased the 3" Happ's USB/PS2 integrated trackball on line for my new trackball standalone project.

http://www.happcontrols.com/trackballs/565600xx2.htm

I think I may use a dead XArcade Solo as the physical housing "box" for my little project as I have limited woodworking skills and I like the shape/look of the solo.

I'll post pics and progress. I hope to have the trackball by next week.

Ultimately I hope to create my own trackball that XArcade is has been selling as "coming soon" for the last year or so--

http://www.x-arcade.com/trackball.shtml

MameMaster!  

[CthulhuLuke]

Here's the example I was following when I attempted my first stand alone trackball project.  I would have finished it if my USB hack hadn't of failed so miserably *it blows up any USB port it connects.*
http://s93261444.onlinehome.us/Stein's%20Trackball%20Page1.htm
Plus if you are ever confused what goes to what, oscar controls has a lot of really useful information on it.
http://www.oscarcontrols.com/dualdevice/schematic.gif   take away the spinner and thats how the trackball goes to the mouse, here's a little schematic of the colors of the trackball plug too to help you even more
http://www.oscarcontrols.com/dualdevice/happ_tball.gif
And the actual fAQ I'm getting this from is about making a DPDT rocker switch go between your spinner and your trackball, you can use it for just a trackball though.
http://www.oscarcontrols.com/DPDTswitch.shtml

[MameMaster!]

....thanks for the suggestions....but this "project" finished itself instantly!....how?......read on-

I visited the Philly Classics this past weekend (see my pics/"review" in the everything else section very soon); and one of the good folks at gooddealgames.com was selling his professionally built "Super Trackball" (from gamecabinetsinc.com) for only $120! (he only had the one he had purchased for himself)....I bought it immediately.

It turns out that it was the very Happ USB 3" trackball I had literally just ordered on line this past Friday (and cancelled first thing this morning by the way) for $150! (the trackball alone!).

This gadget is built rock-solid and highly professional looking including a steel top and lighted transluent red ball (exactly what I wanted!).

The color scheme/look of the box is not going to win any beauty contests (I'll post pics soon for those interested) but I can always change that. I do have to say though that the folks at gamecabinetsinc.com make a great product as this looks like a panel ripped from Centipede).

I'm going to swap out one of the buttons (it has 3) because they used red, purple and black (??-- why? such an odd color combination?).....and change it to red for "fire" and replace the purple with another black button (so I'll have red, black, black).

Any way...as I said, I'll post pics very soon and I'll open it up too for those interested.

It works GREAT!.....to be honest it's a little big for my two cabs (I have a stand up and cocktail with removable XArcade panels) but it ultimately fits and most importantly works perfectly. There's nothing like Marble Madness and Centipede with a Happ ball!!!

Whoo Hoo....the bargain finding MameMaster strikes again!

MameMaster!  

[Stingray]

There's nothing like Marble Madness and Centipede with a Happ ball!!!

Agreed. If you aren't playing with a big 'ole 3 inch trackball you're missing more than you can imagine!

-S <-- Got his trackball/ spinner panel working last week.

[crashwg]

  I want to use my trackball.  Damn you DHL for loosing my order from ultimarc!

[MameMaster!]

As promised....here are the pics!.....enjoy!

[MameMaster!]

...another

[MameMaster!]

....and another

[MameMaster!]

...here it is lit up (it's hard to see in the photo but the ball is transluent red...very cool)...on my cab. Not a perfect fit...but it serves its purpose !

....I'm playing Atari Revival Missile Command in that photo. It works great!

I also got rid of the purple button and replaced it with another black one keeping the "primary fire" button red.

MameMaster!  

[Stingray]

That's not a bad looking enclosure. From the your description (not going to win any beauty contests) I was expecting something hideous.

-S

[MameMaster!]

....yeah...I guess I'm just not a big fan of the wood veneer. I've always liked the more colorful art and patterns of machines like Centipede.

By the way...here's a better pic of the lit track

[Stingray]

Well you could always paint it white and stick some Centepede Graphics on it. Looks great with the TB lit up!

-S