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GP-Wiz 49 with modular panels

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RandyT:

--- Quote from: SirPoonga on August 29, 2005, 11:26:00 am ---however, isn't switching or plugging the USB cable going to have the same effect as using the parallel port interfaces?  You still turn on and off the power in a surge?

--- End quote ---

No.  The power is handled in a controlled manner at the USB port through the use of different length fingers inside the connectors, as well as components that are responsible for ramping power and absorbing small spikes.  The circuits for the electronic joysticks probably weren't designed for this type of activity, considering their intended use.


--- Quote from: SirPoonga ---Do you have a way to add a switch for power on the board?

--- End quote ---

The best thing to do in this case is to use a hub to get the USB plugs where you can reach them easily and pull them when necessary.  This is one fo those things that will only be an issue for a very small group of people, seeing as the intent of the GP-Wiz49 setup was to prevent one from needing to do these types of things.  Doesn't really make sense to overcomplicate the solution by redesigning the hardware to do something that is outside the intended scope of this product.

RandyT

SirPoonga:
The 49way in turn received it's power form the gpwiz, right?

As a hack, an ugly hack that Randy probably won't endorse or service your gpwiz afterwards, is to modify the usb port on the gpwiz with a switch on the power pin.  Randy, I wasn't suggesting you change the board, just wonder if it would be easy to hack.

Are their powered usb hubs where the power to the ports comes only from the hub, not the computer?

Kremmit:
I just tested my USB hub- when I pull the power to the hub, all the devices plugged into it un-install from windows, and re-install when I power the hub back up.  So a switch on a USB hub's power line would probably be the easiest and safest way to do it.

SirPoonga:
yes, that would be easiest, simple, and safe.  Just make sure you shrink wrap  the switch connections, wouldn't want stray live power touching anything.

KenToad:
Wow, I'm glad I posted!  I guess I'll have to get myself a usb hub and power down these suckers every time I want to switch panels.  I'd hate to damage these precious 49-ways.  I'm assuming I could just get a regular two- or more port usb hub and plug both GP-Wiz 49's into it without any performance hit? 

I think your solution, lil Wolf, is the one I'll go for.  Not sure why I didn't think of it before.  I already have seperate emulators setup in Mamewah that utilize the same version of MAME with the same configuration in order to conveniently choose between control styles of arcade games.  I just have to make another emulator for the list with a different control configuration.

Mark, I have several buttons on the GP-Wiz 49 setup as my digital joystick controls.  This is fine for arcade games, but some emulators just assume that you're using the gamepad axes.  I'm thinking of Kega Fusion.  Not perfect, but it works for the majority of my gaming experience.

Thanks to all who've helped here.  I'll post results hopefully soon.

Cheers,
KenToad

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