Hacking Pelican Universal Sticks

[Goz]

I'm going to be cracking open a Pelican Universal arcade stick tonight in hopes of hacking it for control panel use.

For those not familiar with this stick, it has a hyra type head on it and works with PS2, Gamecube, and Xbox and it supports ANALOG controls via a mode select button. They run about $20 ea and seems like it might make a nice solution for a console based cab.

Has anyone had any success in hacking these for use in their cabs? I did a search and there are several threads that referrence them, but did not see any successful stories, etc..

Again I'm going to be cracking one open tonight. ANyone have any tips?

-Goz

[spiffyshoes]

It has been done before many times.  If you search over on the www.shoryuken.com/forums there is some more documentation there somewhere about how to do it.  The joystick and the buttons are on seperate grounds and there may be some other issues you may need to keep in mind when hacking it.  Also don't forget that these PCB's have a tendancy to blow out the controller ports on Playstation 2 if you switch between PS2 and Xbox too quickly.

[versapak]

My panel consists of 4 of them.

All the internals are pretty much arcade standard parts, so it is a fairly painless transition. The only warning I can really give ya, is that the wiring in there is definitely a huge mess, and it is all soldered. Be careful when desoldering, so as to not melt the microswitch housings. This can definitely lead to poor performing switches, due to parts being loose in the plastic housing (unfortunately known from experience).

Also... If you intend to use it on Xbox, and you wish to have the memory/communicator port usable, as I did, then you will have to desolder it from the controller board, and extend it via wires. Not a hugely difficult task, but a nuisance all the same.

[SNAAKE]

Avoid using this..it doesnt work street fighter AE and capcom fighting jam for xbox.And it doesnt work with any converters.So I suggest you just hack a dualshock and get converters for other systems.

[versapak]

Avoid using this..it doesnt work street fighter AE and capcom fighting jam for xbox.And it doesnt work with any converters.So I suggest you just hack a dualshock and get converters for other systems.

Huh?


Spread lies much?





Like I said...

I have 4 of them in that panel. There is NO Xbox game they haven't worked for (with the exception of any that would require a second analog stick, or the L & R stick clicks), including the 2 you mention. Street Fighter: AE specifically, I play plenty of, including online play.




[EDIT]

Also...

What converters are you talking about?

It already plugs into PS2, GC, and Xbox natively. It will also great on a PC by just adding USB adapter to the Xbox plug.

[SNAAKE]

I am talking about the plastic yellow pelican PCB and street fighter AE does not work.Game starts but there is input delay and controls sometimes goes up or down(random).I build more sticks then anyone here and I know what I am talking about.Same for capcom fighting jam.

And I am sure Gozur is talking about the plastic case pelican as well cuz the one you are using cant be $20.

[versapak]

I know your stick building rep, and I don't question that at all. You've done some great stuff.


It seems we are simply talking about different sticks.


We'd need clarification from the OP on which stick he is actually referring to I guess.

The Pelican "Real Arcade" universal sticks are very decent, and they are the ones I used, and was referring to.

[Goz]

The 2 Pelican Universal sticks are these ones and I have been using them for the better part of two weeks with my Xbox in cab and not found any game that they didn't work correctly with or cause crashes, etc



-Goz

[versapak]

Ahhhhhhh

That is definitely not the sticks I used.


This is twice recently that I have been pushed aside by clarification from OP's.



I really should seek clarification before opening my mouth/keyboard.




I really have no knowledge of using those.

[Goz]

Ahhhhhhh

That is definitely not the sticks I used.


This is twice recently that I have been pushed aside by clarification from OP's.



I really should seek clarification before opening my mouth/keyboard.




I really have no knowledge of using those.

I was under the impression and by reading some stuff from Pelican that the naming difference (Real Arcade) just denoted the panel and buttons used. And that they used the same internals. i can snap some pics later today when I have it open.

Thanks again for any and all imput.

-Goz

[SNAAKE]

I really should seek clarification before opening my mouth/keyboard.

 

[Goz]

Ok, it's a piece of cake to hack these. The connections are very clearly marked on the PCB. The solder points are small, but still easy enough to do.  Batteries are dead in the camera, but I will try to snap some picstomorrow after a good charge.

-Goz

[AmericanDemon]

Have you tested them with Street Fighter Anniversary yet for the Xbox?

[Goz]

Have you tested them with Street Fighter Anniversary yet for the Xbox?

I can acquire that title and test it, but I am not a huge fan of the series. 

Any other games suspected to have issues? I know I tried playing Outlaw golf and that wasn't playable because of the funky incorporation of analog and digital (right analog controls spin or another feature).

-Goz

[Stobe]

So what are you planning to hack it to?  Arcade sticks and buttons? 

If so , what kind of sticks.  You'd lose all analog ability if you went with regular 8-ways, right?

But if its truly enuveral, it would be a nice setup for the money (i think these are the sticks I keep seeing on ebay for like $16 a pair?)

-Stobe

[Goz]

So what are you planning to hack it to?  Arcade sticks and buttons? 

If so , what kind of sticks.  You'd lose all analog ability if you went with regular 8-ways, right?

But if its truly enuveral, it would be a nice setup for the money (i think these are the sticks I keep seeing on ebay for like $16 a pair?)

-Stobe

To Sanwa JLF Sticks and buttons.

Nope you still retail ANALOG but it is ANALOG on/off via a MODE select button. What I mean is it supports ANALOG and DIGITAL, but only one at a time. So if a game uses both at the same time; that game wont be really playable. Typically most games don't use both. And since it supports PS2, Xbox, and Gamecube this is a plus. It also supports programable buttons / modes so using it in MAME with a Xbox to USB coverter should also not be a problem.

note: I purchased two Pelican Universals at the same time I ordered x-arcade kit and adapters so I'm not %100 sure which way I will go. The X-arcade I am actually leaning more towards if I can use a data (serial) switch to go between consoles without having to pull and change which end of the connector goes in. I'm under the impression that you cant use this stick with all three heads of the cable plugged in all at the same time. (voltage, etc)

[toyfiend2004]

Avoid using this..it doesnt work street fighter AE and capcom fighting jam for xbox.And it doesnt work with any converters.So I suggest you just hack a dualshock and get converters for other systems.

I have looked around and just maybe not found what I am looking for... got any good instructions you can lend over to hacka  dual shock?  i am looking to keep both analog and digital sticks... I think i have a plan for that.  right now I just need to worry about the PCB.  all of the dual shocks I have seen use the plastic ribbon cable thingy inside.  know of an easier one that uses dualshock 2?

[o-o]

I was wondering if a mod could be done to the (Pelican Universal) circuit make it safe(r).. ?
(is it just PS2, or is there any danger to PSX,Xbox,GC systems also?)

[AmericanDemon]

Avoid using this..it doesnt work street fighter AE and capcom fighting jam for xbox.And it doesnt work with any converters.So I suggest you just hack a dualshock and get converters for other systems.

I have looked around and just maybe not found what I am looking for... got any good instructions you can lend over to hacka  dual shock?  i am looking to keep both analog and digital sticks... I think i have a plan for that.  right now I just need to worry about the PCB.  all of the dual shocks I have seen use the plastic ribbon cable thingy inside.  know of an easier one that uses dualshock 2?

To keep the analog controls and make them functional, you are going to need to purchase analog joys.  Which happen to be about 100 bucks a pop.  Just giving you a heads up.

[versapak]

So what are you planning to hack it to? Arcade sticks and buttons?

If so , what kind of sticks. You'd lose all analog ability if you went with regular 8-ways, right?

But if its truly enuveral, it would be a nice setup for the money (i think these are the sticks I keep seeing on ebay for like $16 a pair?)

-Stobe

To Sanwa JLF Sticks and buttons.

Nope you still retail ANALOG but it is ANALOG on/off via a MODE select button. What I mean is it supports ANALOG and DIGITAL, but only one at a time. So if a game uses both at the same time; that game wont be really playable. Typically most games don't use both. And since it supports PS2, Xbox, and Gamecube this is a plus. It also supports programable buttons / modes so using it in MAME with a Xbox to USB coverter should also not be a problem.

note: I purchased two Pelican Universals at the same time I ordered x-arcade kit and adapters so I'm not %100 sure which way I will go. The X-arcade I am actually leaning more towards if I can use a data (serial) switch to go between consoles without having to pull and change which end of the connector goes in. I'm under the impression that you cant use this stick with all three heads of the cable plugged in all at the same time. (voltage, etc)

Nope, you definitely can't have em all plugged in with power from the consoles, but the same switch method can be used with the Pelicans.

Just clip the ends of the controller cables, and wire them to the input of the switch, then grab some extension cables for each system, and wire them to the outputs of the switch.


You may need to go with a parallel switch for more wire capacity, but it should be a pretty easy operation

[toyfiend2004]

To keep the analog controls and make them functional, you are going to need to purchase analog joys.

[o-o]

What does anyone think about modifying the housing of the Pelican Sticks:
extending the front/wrist-wrest area (or not worth it vs using/making a different housing?)

something like this:

[o-o]

The pics might be _slightly_ exaggerated, but the stock length definitely seems too short to me, the front edge is right in the middle of where my wrists would comfortably/naturally rest

With the extension there would also be room to add a couple duplicate side buttons for pinball games..:-)


(seems it could be done by cutting the front edge straight and attaching a rectangular extension/box piece to the front [glued/bracketed], and recovering the top/sides with the same vinyl/whatever or better covering..?)

[Stobe]

You'd probably be better off just building a new box altogether.  Plus using better stick/buttons.

-Stobe

[o-o]

How could the buttons/switches be improved? (they use 'cherry' switches right?) Do better quality clear buttons like that exist?


If the danger to PS2 ports is from a charge from switching between consoles too fast (how fast?..), could a simple cable be made/used to connect to one of its controller plugs to (ground) to discharge that between console swaps?

[versapak]

How could the buttons/switches be improved? (they use 'cherry' switches right?) Do better quality clear buttons like that exist?


If the danger to PS2 ports is from a charge from switching between consoles too fast (how fast?..), could a simple cable be made/used to connect to one of its controller plugs to (ground) to discharge that between console swaps?

Nope, they don't use Cherry switches.


As for the buttons themselves... They could use slightly heavier springs, and I do mean slightly, but other than that... The actual buttons are just fine, and no, I haven't seen any other clear buttons that I liked like the Pelican ones.


For switching, to avoid to fast of a switch, you could use a 3 device parallel switch. Dunno what that would cost you, but you could have the middle device empty, so that when switching between the 2 you have a dead zone. It would be no different than unplugging the controller, and plugging it back in.




A quick google turned up this:

http://www.abccables.com/ca-003636.html

It is only $13, and would do exactly what you need.

[o-o]

Thanks

What switches does it use.. and how could they be better?


Could just a single button or switch be mounted on the housing which would connect the (single?) culpurit wire to its own ground or an external ground wire to discharge?

[versapak]

The ones I used had Tranyet switches, which definitely feel cheap compared to Cherry.

Ponyboy did have a decent deal on some Cherry switches a lil while ago. He may still have some. Look for him at the Buy/Sell/Trade board.


As for...

Could just a single button or switch be mounted on the housing which would connect the (single?) culpurit wire to its own ground or an external ground wire to discharge?

Nope.

If you have both consoles on at the same time, even if only one console is sending power to the controller, the controller would be sending to BOTH consoles.


You don't have to use the box of that db25 switch.

The actual workings of those things is just the switch you see on the front. The switch has 100 prongs circled around it, and they just have wires going to the db25 ports in the back.

I am actually using a 2 device db25 switch in my xbox cab, so that I can easily switch between player 3 & 4 controllers and my light guns. I took the switch out of that little box, and mounted it in my cab. The switch has a friggin ton of prongs, but they are laid out so as to be compatible with a little bit of common sense.

[o-o]

>
The ones I used had Tranyet switches, which definitely feel cheap compared to Cherry.
>

How would you describe the difference in feel?

( "Trany Switches".. )



>
If you have both consoles on at the same time, even if only one console is sending power to the controller, the controller would be sending to BOTH consoles.
>


:O I wasnt talking about having them plugged in simultaneously or on at the same time.. is that actually the only way the damage is possible ?? (..for sure?)
If so then I dont really need to worry about that


 

[versapak]

:O I wasnt talking about having them plugged in simultaneously or on at the same time.. is that actually the only way the damage is possible ?? (..for sure?)
If so then I dont really need to worry about that

Yep, no worries if you aren't going to be having em hooked up simultaneously.


Dunno how to describe the difference between the switches really... The Tranyet switches just don't feel as sturdy. When you press a Cherry switch you have a smoother more solid feel. The Tranyet switches just seem lighter and more flimsy when pressed. It is probably nothing to even worry about, until they start to go bad. When they do, then replace em with Cherry switches.

I had the switch go bad on one of my buttons, and ended up replacing all the switches for that player, so that it felt more uniform, but the difference in feel is really not that overwhelming.

[Timoe]

Here is my Hacked Pelican Universal.  But it is a "REAL ARCADE STICK" Pelican.  I thought I would post it anyway.  This is just my temporary desktop CP

[versapak]

Does that even count as a hacked pelican?


It doesn't look like there is one thing on there that is actually from the Pelican controller.

[Timoe]

Fine, forget you 

[Glaine]

Haha, so angry . I bought one and it didn't work w/my Boom! PS/PS2 adapter so I took it back. Just my 2$, as lame as that is to hear. Anywho, goodie for you who got it to work, I didn't think of getting an XBOX to USB adapter, that may have worked.

[o-o]

timoe,
wikkid-awsome..

In considering stick designs/layouts, I was thinking of having two joysticks lilke that also..  how usefull do you find the extra joystick, for games other than SmashTV...?


BTW: I'll trade for Pelican buttons, if anyone is hacking or has hacked their Pelican stick and has the buttons leftover..
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=41710.0

[Timoe]

To be honest I do not use the extra joystick that much but when I do....


Its great.  I've got two Happs Supers in there and its perfect for Total Carnage and games of that sort, Vindicators is great also.  Now that I'm talking about it I might as well go get the thing down and play a few games of Robotron.

I have also updated the  buttons with the Button Labels that Conseit68 is selling.  It makes the 4 admin buttons look great.  These Pelican Real Arcade Sticks fit perfect and feel great for a desktop CP.

[clanggedin]

I have a pair of the universal real arcade joysticks that I just finished installing in my PS2 cab last night. I didn't have any problem with any fighting game I tried and the controls worked flwlessly. They even worked to control the menu in HDadvance. I did however replace the switches on the joysticks to Cherry switches. The Trey ones are not the best in quality and click quite loudly compared to the cherry switches.

I want to get a ps to dreamcast adapter and see if it will work with this controller. Has onyone else tried this??

[o-o]

The (wood version) Pelican Real Arcade Universal doesnt work with the Innovation DreamConnection II for Dreamcast

[clanggedin]

***** PROBLEM WITH PELICAN REAL ARCADE STICKS ******

I was just finishing up on my PS2 cab doing nothing unusual. The controllers have been unplugged for a few days, I plugged them in with the PS2 power off and then turned on the PS2. To my surprise neither of my controls work. NO buttons, NO joystick. My PS2 controller works fine though and the sticks work fine plugged in an Xbox, but not the PS2.

I believe I have ruined the ports. Has anyone seen a solution for this?? Will an original PS2 multi tap plugged in allow me to use my Pelican Sticks without problem?? Will installing new controller ports ($24) fix the issue??

I may be answering these questions in the very near future if no one else has a found a solution.

[o-o]

Ive been thinking about this lately (but havent worked with plexiglass before).. :

Would it be worth it to add a plexiglass top (painted black [or whatever] on the underside for a clean look..) to a Pelican Arcade Stick, to extend the front wrist room and change the feel and look, vs using/building a different housing?