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Joystick Hack

PostPosted: Sun Jan 13, 2008 8:58 am
by JSpahn
Just setup my work station so I can start on a more aggressive path to building my simpit. In the mean time I wanted to get some pratice with my new variable temp solder station.
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I have an old Logitec Wingman gamepad USB. Basically I ripped it apart to get to the PCB.
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The first step was to prep the PCB so the contacts will accept solder. Using a razor knife there are two points on each button that need to be cleaned up. Using rubbing alcohol I further clean up the contacts. Then I place a bead of solder on each contact. Next I tinned the wires and attach them to the contacts. The final step was to secure these wires to the PCB with hot glue( this keeps the wires from pulling off).

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This gives me 15 momentary inputs, I dont know what use they will have yet. Im thinking maybe a view control setup. :)

Not my best solder work but those contacts were not meant to accept solder, not too bad in my opinion ;D

You can also see the PCB has two holes which will be nice place to use standoffs to mount the PCB ;)

Re: Joystick Hack

PostPosted: Sun Jan 13, 2008 11:24 am
by beaky
Soldering to the board without a factory-type solder station... not fun.
Worked out OK, though, from the looks of it.

Re: Joystick Hack

PostPosted: Sun Jan 13, 2008 2:34 pm
by JSpahn
Yeah it was a bit tricky, not as bad as I thought. Having a good temp dialed in, the rite tip and a clean surface make all the difference.

Re: Joystick Hack

PostPosted: Sun Jan 13, 2008 9:30 pm
by Mobius
Nice, I was looking at doing that with my old X36, but all those PCBs and  soldering scared me. ;D ;)

Re: Joystick Hack

PostPosted: Sun Jan 13, 2008 9:36 pm
by JSpahn
yeah a wingman is one thing, an x-36 is a whole other can of worms