Topic: PDSM Button Box (Read 1503 times)

[SJ]Jarkko Rantajoki · « **on:** June 11, 2007, 11:53:51 pm »

EDIT:I was planning to do the wiring ready from the USB box end but noooooo, cant find a spare IDE cable anywhere.. and since i dont have any proper connectors.. i gotta buy those too.

[SJ]dirtyvfr · « **Reply #1 on:** June 12, 2007, 07:26:05 am »

looks good

one of these USB lights on a flexi tube might be good to light up the buttons so you can find them in the dark !!!!

i like using the computer in the dark

i see your using what looks like an old PSU casing for the box to mount you switches on, but a lot of places sell plastic boxes, that are easy to drill or melt !!!!!!

you could in fact use an icecream tub

keep us informed on your progress

[SJ]Jarkko Rantajoki · « **Reply #2 on:** June 12, 2007, 08:33:36 am »

Yep thats what i got couple hours ago.. a nice plastic box. easy to work on and looks good.
Usb-box side wired and tested... now i gotta drill the holes on the box.. and figure the wire connections..
im moving the whole Usb thing to the button box, it has room and makes it possible to keep extra wires hidden..
this is a huge task, much bigger than i first thought.. but im hoping to finish it today.

Some of the switches and the box + other crap.

Usb side of the wires... works a treat!

[SJ]Jarkko Rantajoki · « **Reply #3 on:** June 12, 2007, 09:17:41 am »

Yep the plastic was right choice.. dream to work on. took 5 minutes to make holes for these.
now gotta really think about the layout and have a smoke and coffee.. oh i really feel like havin a nap, ive been up all night.

[SJ]CasparGTL · « **Reply #4 on:** June 12, 2007, 10:25:46 am »

Looking VERY cool, that black box!

Good job sir, impressed here.

[SJ]Jarkko Rantajoki · « **Reply #5 on:** June 12, 2007, 10:52:18 am »

hmm now my pedals connect to my Button box, and Bbox connect to the pc... all done except for the button wires, i gotta leave it after my nap.. too damn tired to think them wires atm.

[SJ]dirtyvfr · « **Reply #6 on:** June 12, 2007, 10:59:58 am »

looks totally superb man

, how thick is the plastic in the buttons,,could you back light them, you could put a light bulb, low voltage / low heat output or even just put a torch in the box.

[SJ]Jarkko Rantajoki · « **Reply #7 on:** June 12, 2007, 11:08:59 am »

oh yeah forgot to say if someone is interested in USB controller(same as mine) for 8 axis and 32 buttons
ill give the link. its located in uk, pretty cheap for your own devices.. also has shitload of buttons and axles so its convenient when some games only regognize few usb devices (3 in GTR2 for example)..

CLICK

Quote from: SJ_dirtyvfr on June 12, 2007, 10:59:58 am

looks totally superb man , how thick is the plastic in the buttons,,could you back light them, you could put a light bulb, low voltage / low heat output or even just put a torch in the box.

Well i got some unused leds that i can power from pc PSU (might be able to get it from usb, assuming the leds "activation power" is less than 5v..) I dont know, i was thinking of getting a bit transparent box but decided to go with black.. in time i will improve it, add buttons etc. lights maybe.
Its way too thick for the light to come through.. hmm, some sort of light on the top pointing to the buttons could work...

[SJ]Pierre61 · « **Reply #8 on:** June 12, 2007, 11:46:59 am »

Fantastic work matey!
Perhaps some thickish clear plastic inserts would allow just a little halo of light to surround each switch .. following on from Gogs' bulb-in-a-box thoughts

[SJ]2shedz · « **Reply #9 on:** June 12, 2007, 11:51:11 am »

:ttth: Nah not for me, i prefer to stick to my wind up, coal fired, steam powered, bottom of the range, ultra basic, mega slow equipment, but i suppose it looks fair if your into that sort of thing

Looking gooooood Jarks

[SJ]Jarkko Rantajoki · « **Reply #10 on:** June 12, 2007, 02:57:05 pm »

[SJ]Stein · « **Reply #11 on:** June 12, 2007, 04:32:42 pm »

You Brave lad! looks awsome m8, i'm jalous of yer craftmanship m8.

Now here's the deal... i can built you a seat.. if you build me a box with wiring and working switches...

ill be over in 10 minutes m8..

Woof ~ Woof

edit: syke!

[SJ]Jarkko Rantajoki · « **Reply #12 on:** June 12, 2007, 05:41:52 pm »

Hehe Steiny..
All done!!!
And works perfect!!!

I HATE the wirework though.. its too damn time consuming and dont allow any errors. (didnt experience any this time, what a lucker!) Heres the piccie of wires done..
No sense to post final product since it looks exactly like one of the piccies above.

[SJ]Stein · « **Reply #13 on:** June 12, 2007, 05:57:24 pm »

So basically i see 4 wires... 2 connections made... flipping the box over means in that picture you have the green and the red button, i take it ignition and starter, wired up? huh? the rest isnt connecting to wires but by brainpower?!

how's that worky then m8ey if yer saying.. all done..

Woof ~ Woof

[SJ]Pierre61 · « **Reply #14 on:** June 12, 2007, 06:15:53 pm »

Hehe ... see those little switch bases dotted around Frankie? ... through the holes and hex nutted on when putting the box back together I'll wager

[SJ]Jarkko Rantajoki · « **Reply #15 on:** June 12, 2007, 06:20:12 pm »

Quote from: SJ_Pierre61 on June 12, 2007, 06:15:53 pm

Hehe ... see those little switch bases dotted around Frankie? ... through the holes and hex nutted on when putting the box back together I'll wager

yup Pete is correct.

EDIT:Theres only the start and ignition button in the front panel there cos those had to be attached before
wiring them. It was different with other switches, i could wire them and them install to the panel.

[SJ]Jarkko Rantajoki · « **Reply #16 on:** June 13, 2007, 02:14:54 am »

Hmm all the buttons dont work in GTL/GTR2, propably support for limited number.. stupido Simbin idiota!
well, easy to bypass with this. :biggrin:

[SJ]ski9600 · « **Reply #17 on:** June 13, 2007, 03:24:11 am »

Hi,
Can you also add 6 momentary switches for the quick chat keys?
I dunno if this is possible, or recommended, but thought it would be nice.
Steve

[SJ]Jarkko Rantajoki · « **Reply #18 on:** June 13, 2007, 03:42:58 am »

Yep its well possible, you can assign the button box like any other controller from the ingame menu. i havent done any quickchat keys cos i dont really use them.
That layout plan is just what i thought works for me, allthough i changed allready the lcd mode to the middle of
the other lcd controls, and where it used to be lcd mode i use not enable/disable hw plugins.. might add some
extra switches today for reset FFB, vehicle labels and seat adjustment

EDIT:Added couple extra switches on the top, that means the box has 17 switches, and my wheel has 18 (for now, not after modding).. That means i can assign 35 buttons to different actions.. never have to reach keyboard while
racing thats for sure! should be enought and little extra too.

[SJ]Stein · « **Reply #19 on:** June 13, 2007, 02:10:20 pm »

yup.. understand the wiring now... i'm no electrician.. hahaha figured i recon.

Looks schweet there Jarrks!

Woof ~ woof

[SJ]Pierre61 · « **Reply #20 on:** June 13, 2007, 06:13:40 pm »

Mate, I'm serious ... if you could build that for EUR40-60 and sell it for EUR120-160 it would be well worth starting a little E-Bay shop ... custom jobs a little extra ;0

[SJ]GizMoTo · « **Reply #21 on:** June 13, 2007, 06:17:04 pm »

very interesting indeed and a great idea watching the progress regular

[SJ]Jarkko Rantajoki · « **Reply #22 on:** June 13, 2007, 06:24:50 pm »

[SJ]Pierre61 · « **Reply #23 on:** June 13, 2007, 06:33:37 pm »

[SJ]Jarkko Rantajoki · « **Reply #24 on:** June 13, 2007, 06:35:40 pm »

hmm indeed.. GTL and GTR2 for example have problem of only regognizing certain amount of buttons.. so i have to use little utility on those that will map a keyboard press to a button.. hmm ill look into it. might be nice for some extra cash if i manage to do it properly.

Author Topic: PDSM Button Box (Read 1503 times)