My home built metal DDR pad (Part IV)

[ch]

alright. i want to see your guys' ideas for a bar.

i have some schematics, but i dont know where i can get this one part.

i think it would look good.
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CStarFlare wrote:

I approve of the direction this thread is going

http://www.xtranormal.com/watch?e=20090310025322668

[mtwieg]

I've tried that exact same thing, and it doesn't work. I even tried attaching the bar directly to the base of the pad and THE WHOLE BASE SNAPPED when I put any weight on the bar (I weigh 150 pounds).


.............l....l
.............l....l<<actual bar.
.............l....l
.............l....l
llllllll\___l__l____________
llllllll__________________l<<<bar for support
llllllll/
^^
Back of Pad


This is how I did it. You use the same hardware to mount pipes HORIZONTILLY from the back of the pad, to a T joint a couple inckes back. Another pipe extends beyond the T joint a couple feet, which will endure most of the pressure (there needs to be something on the end of the pipe so that it will rest on the ground, otherwise it will be worthless. I use a corner joint pointed downwards, not shown). The actual trick bar extends from the T joints upwards. Of course, you will need two of these setups for each pad.

[Houou Don't You Want Me]

Another question - I want to connect my pad to my PC and not my PSX/PS2 (I dont own a PSX/PS2). Are there any other solutions besides buying a converter? Is it somehow possible to build a direct-usb control box?

[ch]

you could build a parallel to psx converter. i built one, it looks and works very well. but im an electronics hobbyist, so i dont know how hard it would b for you. youll need about 12 dollars worth of parts from radio shack. you wont need the dual shock capabilities for a ddr pad. i can also dig up schematics for connecting up to 5 pads on one parallel port, theyre on a diff site

http://www.emulatronia.com/reportajes/directpad/psxeng/index.htm

also on that site are schematics for converters for n64, snes, and megadrive controllers.




or you could buy one for about 4 dollars, but thats not as fun.

http://www.buynshop.com/productinfo/45/VG-PS-PS2PC4/

you could find similar items on other sites for similar prices.




EDIT: if you want pics ill make some, inside and out.
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CStarFlare wrote:

I approve of the direction this thread is going

http://www.xtranormal.com/watch?e=20090310025322668

[HitokiriX]

[latindude88wpg]

[SuRfReAk]

I had an idea for a tripod-like bar, it would contact the base with 3 vertical supports, and the base would be 1/2" or 3/4" ply mounted on 2x4's, so you'd screw each vertical support into a 2x4. I'll draw something up eventually...(EACH pad would have 3 verticals, not one big bar for a doubles platform). Thinking about a t joint in the middle.
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Get up, get out, go surf!

[theinsanitytest]

well, i have been reading recently but not to many updates, but i do have this good link for very cheap xbox controllers

the only downside is that you are not guarenteed a certain type but they all should be somewhere on the same basis when it comes to the circut board

http://secure.llamma.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=24&products_id=171

i'll come back when i have more updates with my pad ect.

edit: i have not tested these controllers personally but i did think that they are pretty damn cheap, i don't take responsiblity for faulty controllers but www.llama.com is a reputable company so i would belive they are good

[SunnyDdr]

Does any one know if the circuit board from a mad catz dance pad will be easier to solder to than a psx controller? I've tried a sony ps1 controller and a mad catx ps2 controller (I had both lying around), and they didn't work when I tested them.

I haven't put my pad together yet, but I've put in the wiring, and I just touched the leads together to simulate a step, but got no function in the game. My microswitches on X and O worked, but none of the d-pad buttons.

I'm willing to try one more controller before giving up, and I just wanted to see if a dance pad would be a better way to go.

Thanks

[mtwieg]

[ch]

[pang]

Me and a couple of friends have built our own DDR pads based on riptides design and have finished the actual construction stage, but we are having problems with our controllers. We've been using these http://www.dse.com.au/cgi-bin/dse.storefront/420b40b60cc10952273fc0a87f9c06bc/Product/View/XH6197 controllers, but after a short while, a button is stuck on; this has happened to all of them. We think the problem could be either static build up, or the fact that we are using cheapo controllers that cant take the long wires.

We plan to either:
get another one of these cheapo controllers and try grounding the pad OR
buy a slightly more expensive controller such as http://www.dse.com.au/cgi-bin/dse.storefront/420b40b60cc10952273fc0a87f9c06bc/Product/View/XH6265

Any suggestions to help solve our problems would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[SunnyDdr]

[HitokiriX]

[ch]

i think that the overall agreement is that dance pads are the most resistant to static, because they are built just for that purpose.

if you could get a usb dance padto work with your computer, then that would be perfect. but if you cannot get it to work, then you should probably ground your pad. after you've grounded your pad, you can use any controller you want.

i would also try to find usb pads that are easier to deliver to australia.


EDIT: alternatively, you could get an xbox pad and modify its connector to go to a usb connector (this is fairly simple). again, dance mats are built to resist static.
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CStarFlare wrote:

I approve of the direction this thread is going

http://www.xtranormal.com/watch?e=20090310025322668

[latindude88wpg]

correct me if i'm wrong, but i believe the xbox controllers are pressure sensitive.
i would just go for an usb gamepad, and i wouldn't worry about grounding it, since they are grounded already (taking that your compy is grounded, that is, that the three prong connector is plugged into a grounded wall outlet).

[ch]

there is no case grounding wire on a usb connector. theres just +/-5v and two data wires
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CStarFlare wrote:

I approve of the direction this thread is going

http://www.xtranormal.com/watch?e=20090310025322668

[SunnyDdr]

I just wanted to make sure that all of the grounds are the same.
I.e., can I connect the grounds of U,L,D,R,X, & O to one screw on my pad, and then to one ground on the controller circuit board?

Thanks

[latindude88wpg]

well, as far as i know, the black wire is ground, red is +5v and the white and green are data. it wouldn't make sense if the red one was +5v and the black one was -5v, cuz that would like a potential difference of 10v.

[mtwieg]