My home built metal DDR pad (Part IV)

[android_04]

@kev0
The sensors would be near the end of the step, opposite end the hinge. With this idea of using hinges i was thinking that the switch would be triggered no matter where you step, due to the hinges.

edit:
Now that i think about it more, my idea of using hinges is not that good because the switch would experience different pressure depending on where you step on the panels. I guess I will just build some devout stealth pads

[slvrshdw]

[kev0]

Okay. I've had that sensor problem for quite a few days.

No matter how I adjust it, there's bound to be one part of the panel with the sensor not responding, and it's driving me nuts trying to find right height.

Apart from using a ruler (I can't use it to measure the height since my ruler has an indentation) or using a ruler to put above it to see if it's in a straight line (I can't tell if it's parallel to the 2x4's), and apart from trial and error (Current method). Has anyone got better ideas than that?

[android_04]

kev, how about placing a piece of wood behind one of the screws (making sure that the end laying on the 2x4 is flat). Then mark the wood at the point where the screw is the tallest. Then just move the piece of wood over to the next screw and screw it down until it is at the height that you marked. Keep doing that for all the screws.

This wont work if all four sides of the 2x4 base are not even. In this case, what you can do is lay a plexiglas panel on the screws and note which ones are higher and lower, and adjust accordingly.

[devout]

If it's really really driving you nuts, try replacing the screws with round head screws. The problem with countersunk screws is that they dont have a well defined point where the shaft ends and the screw begins, so you can grind it down into the wood as far as you want. A round head has a nice flat underside so if you just screw 'em all down til they stop they'll all come out the same height. (They'll also clamp down on the wire so you know you'll get good contact between the screw and the wire)

The problem is you'd probably have to replace ALL the screws, and at this point you probably dont want to go back and do that. (You'd also need to make sure they all go in relatively straight) It seems to me like you might also get better results if you moved the screws closer to the corners of the panels instead of grouping them near the center of eacah edge... though I could be wrong.
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the world's most refined homepad: devout stealth

Almost-finished non-Stealth homepad for sale, just add sensors! see here: http://www.ddrfreak.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=8921579#8921579

[kev0]

I perfected the left arrow, after tonnes of trial and error. The left arrow is very sensitive with the screws being put pretty high up, and when pressing the top right metal panel, it sometimes triggers it. I'm guessing this is because the plywood base isn't exactly straight meaning when I apply pressure to the top it straightenes the plywood, causing the upper 2x4's to rise and make contact.

Oh well, I don't really mind that, since I ESPECIALLY don't want to open up the left panel again. D:

Now for 3 more arrows. For the top, there's one entire side that needs readjusting. For the right there's 2 screws, for the bottom there's 2 screws. Seems like I'm gonna finish by tomorrow

(Oh and the x push button broke. The wire just snapped off because it's just dangling out and gets twisted alot)

EDIT: OH AND I FIXED THE RIGHT PANEL. (It causes VERY VERY Slight double-stepping at times, meaning it steps twice very quickly on one step, but I don't really care )


Here's a pic.

The sticky tapes on the edges represent parts I needa adjust. Just raise/lower a few of those screws then I'm set.

Meanwhile. It's playable. The majority of the screws work, and I've cleared Frozen Ray and Speed over Beethoven on heavy (Not a major accomplishment but it works out). On my soft pad, I can also complete those with around similar standards, meaning the pad works pretty well with a few faulty sensors. I'll get it fixed by tomorrow! (I always say that.)

[DMS]

Anyone care to help with my controller situation? I'd love to get this thing done after having it for months now. Pics on page before this.

[slvrshdw]

if you can get better pics i can help out.

i have to see the controller better to trace the wires for you.

also, you can do it yourself too: all you have to do is:

1) check which of the + part of the controller is common. (as in, it branches to all 4 of the connections)
2) solder that to the ground/common wire on your pad
3) solder the other wires to the corresponding wires on your pad.

*i would recommend a quick disconnect in case you mess up/want to change it later
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[mikon]

[mikon]

[DMS]

[Mushroooshi]

TO Devout:

I showed my dad all the DDR pad designs and when I showed him your design he said that wold be the only ddr pad he would actually keep in the living room XD.

[kev0]

[Rene_A]

Hey, i'm thinking about making a metal pad, but i want to make a control box with ps2,xbox, and usb connection. anyone have any tutorials on how to do it? or at least point me in the direction to find one. thanks.
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bleedingdonkey (9:55:35 PM): HAI
bleedingdonkey (9:55:40 PM): I NOTICED
bleedingdonkey (9:55:43 PM): THAT YOU AAA'D SEVERAL SONGS ON DDR
bleedingdonkey (9:55:47 PM): I AM PROUD OF YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Rene Aq (9:55:58 PM): OMG WHY THANK YOU SIR

[slvrshdw]

there are a couple possibilities,

1) get 3 different controller boards and do it that way.
2) use a CF or other control box and mod it to fit your homepad

either way isnt that hard, just do the one your prefer.
you can always get a softpad for ps2/xbox and then get a cheap USB device and you're done
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[DMS]

k Guys, here is a MUCH better picture of my controller. I need help with what needs to be soldered where.

http://img87.imageshack.us/img87/6046/kkhf0.png

[slvrshdw]

well, this should be right. (much better pic)

try it and see.

i just used paint so gimme a break on the quality.

anyway, i just kinda scribbled a line where the solder should go.
HINT: it may be hard to get the solder to stick, and USE A NICE TIP to solder

uh..correct me anyone if those points are wrong, i just did it fast...

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[mikieson]

I have a fix for some of you here....I drill holes in the contacts with a very very small bit and wrap the wires through and use electrical tape to hold in place...Wrap the whole pad very nice and tight after all the wires are in place...

Also, I used controls from old soft pads and its even easier as the contacts are a LOT larger.

[Travelsonic]

Now that college is almost done for this semester, and I'll be off for a month ( - 2 weeks for traveling though), I can FINALLY get my DDR pad done.

Where I last left off, my design has 4 sensors/arrow, using arcade sensors, brackets, and sensor holders from MyMyBox, but now I need to raise the nondirectional panels because they are way too low, but how much should I do so the plexiglass isn't forcing its way out from the corner brackets, and everything actually fits nice, but I also have the ITG dedicab recessive feel everybody raves about? How also should I go about securing the sensor holders into the arrow well bases without making the sensor placement an odd fit?
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I'll believe that when me **** turns purple, and smells like rainbow sherbet.

[diamonddust]

I don't really post on the forums, but I'm just saying that I'm enjoying my Christmas putting together my first homepad, riptide design.

Merry Christmas fellas.