MS FFB2 modded stick for you

Dear fellow flight simmers,

In the last weeks I have been working on a MS Sidewinder Force Feedback 2 mod.

I added a UH-1 / F-4 grip, rewired and programmed it with a teensy board, extended the stick with a carbon tube and soldered new resistors into the original FFB stick, to increase power. Finally I added a switch to the base, to be able to turn on/ off FFB power anytime.

I'm very happy with the result - in my eyes, this is a fantastic, while cheap helicopter cyclic and a great general flight stick. :joystick: Of course, any grip can be mounted.

Getting there was not hard, but it took some time. Different mod instructions on this forum helped me a lot. And now that I know exactly what is needed and what I have to do, I would like to give something back:

UPDATE:

I have created a video tutorial, which shows you how to do this mod step-by step, without the need of a teensy board. Check it out!

If you would like to have such a stick, write me a message. I don't want to earn money with this, but basically cover the expenses. So, I'm looking forward to your PMs!

Nice work!

Id love to have a light grip on mine too, how much did the grip + teensy cost you?

Hello Trigen,

It really depends on opportunities to find those grips. Also, there a different types, of which some are better than others. E.g. the buttons on a Thrustmaster FCS are of lower quality and the grip is scaled down. So it's rather something for smaller hands.

I got the above shown grip (Thrustmaster XFighter) for 30€ with shipping. Teensy costs around 20€. Then there's the resistors, a carbon pipe, epoxy glue, a switch, a usb cabel etc.

Do you already have your FFB2, or would you need one? I guess, it's the easiest, if you write me a PM and just tell me exactly what you'd like to have. :)

Greetings,

Viktor

Hello Trigen,

It really depends on opportunities to find those grips. Also, there a different types, of which some are better than others. E.g. the buttons on a Thrustmaster FCS are of lower quality and the grip is scaled down. So it's rather something for smaller hands.

 

I got the above shown grip (Thrustmaster XFighter) for 30€ with shipping. Teensy costs around 20€. Then there's the resistors, a carbon pipe, epoxy glue, a switch, a usb cabel etc.

 

Do you already have your FFB2, or would you need one? I guess, it's the easiest, if you write me a PM and just tell me exactly what you'd like to have. :)

 

Greetings,

Viktor

Thanks! Im good on the stick ( https://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=179964) I'm looking to loose weight and a different shaft. Been eyeing that to grip actually and scaled down can be ok, tend to fly with 3 fingers and the wh can be a bit hard to reach the top hat. I got lots of switches from my cougar that I could stick in there if I decide I can live without the buttons.

Sure, I can also help with some parts. I do have the TS FCS grip and carbon pipe. Check your PMs.

Hi Folks, If you use a force feedback device and are a FF fan for DCS then please see this forum thread poll:

https://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?p=3025951#post3025951

So, I've finished two sticks. One with UH-1 / F-4 grip (pic above), one with basic F-16 grip. If someone is interested, let me know via PM.

looking very good. i have already 2 sticks (ch fighter and cobra m5) so it doesn't sound logical and economic to buy a 3rd one. but always wanted a uh-1 grip and ffb stick. very good job thanks for the effort.

- are all buttons operative?

- isn't it too low for floor mounted stick and too high for desk mount?

- how could you manage to find brand new sidewinder ffb?

Hey there!

I'm glad you like it. Before wiring up everything I checked every button and replaced one, that was not working anymore. Buttons are usually standard size and can be taken e.g. from the Sidewinder grip.

The stick is not meant to be placed on the floor for flying, but on some sort of box below and in front of you chair. This gives you a nice "lever effect" and precise stick movement, while still having enough force feedback. If the stick extension were longer, the power would be lost.

I do not use "new" Sidewinder sticks, but used ones, that I can find in Germany. If they are in good shape (most ones look like new!) and not too expensive, I buy them.

Greetings!

Dear fellow flight simmers,

I added a UH-1 / F-4 grip, rewired and programmed it with a teensy board, extended the stick with a carbon tube and soldered new resistors into the original FFB stick, to increase power.

 

Just as curiosity, since B-8 grips is 4 buttons + HAT why just not use default MS grip buttons and HAT PCB, wiring B-8 buttons/HAT there, instead use a Teensy?

.....

I ask about use MS grip electronics connections for (4) buttons and HAT in B-8 grip, not in use that (ugly) MS grip.

Just as curiosity, since B-8 grips is 4 buttons + HAT why not use default MS grips buttons and

HAT wiring instead a Teensy?

Sokol, you are actually right. I did the first B-8 grip with Sidewinder board the other day. But as the board is quite big, it doesn't fit into all of them. For the TopGun grip it works fine!

And it's of course the most elegant way to do it!

Good Work,

My Mod , FFB2 whit stick CH Fighter Stick F-16:

:pilotfly:

Nice work, Falcoblu!

Great work Falcoblu and Viktor!!!

I'd really love to do it to my msff2 and my old gameport CH Fighterstick lying around.

Maybe you can provide some detailed instructions please?

some photos from the work progress with some joystick porn:)

what chip are you using? did you cut the Z axis? did you leave the msff2 buttons intact or cut them? what materials do you need?

I have no experience in electronics and willing to learn in order to do it...

Many thanks!!

msff2 and my old gameport CH Fighterstick

Your CH Flghterstick gameport use 5x4 matrix for buttons and HAT.

This make easy plug then in Arduino PRO Micro+MMJoy2 firmware, so you can use all buttons in CH grip.

MsFFB2 circuit don't allow all this buttons (is only 8 ), so you leave only X,Y axes operational in MsFFB2 circuit.

You don't need "experience in electronics" to do this, but need know make good solders (and tools).

Your CH Flghterstick gameport use 5x4 matrix for buttons and HAT.

 

 

This make easy plug then in Arduino PRO Micro+MMJoy2 firmware, so you can use all buttons in CH grip.

 

MsFFB2 circuit don't allow all this buttons (is only 8 ), so you leave only X,Y axes operational in MsFFB2 circuit.

 

You don't need "experience in electronics" to do this, but need know make good solders (and tools).

Thank you,

In your picture I didn't see reference for the yellow and pink cable. are they needed?

I want to leave the other buttons in msff2 operational (maybe in a side box) if possible....

Do you have the mmjoy2 compatible files for the Fighterstick?

I will order ardiuno board (Pro mini/pro micro - does it matter which?)

Thanks

Thank you,

 

In your picture I didn't see reference for the yellow and pink cable. are they needed?

 

I want to leave the other buttons in msff2 operational (maybe in a side box) if possible....

 

Do you have the mmjoy2 compatible files for the Fighterstick?

I will order ardiuno board (Pro mini/pro micro - does it matter which?)

Thanks

1 - Not sure about cable colors - pick this scheme in Baur forum - maybe translation issue in names... But CH Fightestick gameport use a 5x4 matrix, I wire one in BU036, since is at some time ago I don't remember wire color, at time I trace the matrix using a multimeter (tedious process).

2 -Yes you can use the 8 buttons (and throttle and rudder axes) of MSFF2 in a button box, and too the extra axis/buttons provide be Arduino PRO Micro - MMjoy2 firmware allow 8 axis and up to 132 buttons, from these you need 20 buttons for FighterStick grip (16 buttons+POV HAT).

3 - MMjoy2 firmware don't need be specific for a give joystick - is a HID joystick controller using Windows native drivers, is "PnP".

For set the 5x4 matrix needed by CH Fighterstick grip is just matter do define what pins will be Rows and Columns in MMjoySetup.

This mean that you don't need change nothing inside CH grip, even can use the same plug in the lower part of grip cable - just make a support board for PRO Micro (since this is very "micro") and add correspondent pins.

4 - For use MMjoy2 firmware you need a Arduino board based in mc ATMEGA32u4, 16 MHZ, 5 volts (3.5v is not compatible).

Are several models available and some Arduino with similar names but with different mc, not compatible.

The most used is Arduino PRO Micro - generic boards ~6$ in Aliexpress, ~20$ in Sparkfun or Teensy, Teensy ++2.0 (~20$), Pololu is too suitable. Advantage of this models is that their pins use in MMjoy2 is well documented.

MMjoy2 firmware is suggestion,since is well tested and easy to use.

Alternatively you can use EasyJoy32One, some Arduino sketch (maybe need code compilation) or write your own code/firmware.

Guys, see page one for a video tutorial.

Nice tutorial. :thumbup:

You notice if this PCB under Top Gun HAT has trails in both sides?

I think that could just interrupt this trails, removing that resistors and leave the PCB under the HAT, this leave the micro-switches assembly more strong.

Thank you, Sokol.

Would you make a drawing of your idea? I don't quite understand.

Greetings,

Viktor

Is a minor detail, not important. I think in leave the PCB as anchor point for HAT switches instead glue the switches.

By removing the resistors pointed by red arrows, the orange wire connection with switches is interrupted, but for gray wire will by need a Dremel cut disk for interrupt the pins near (blue lines).

Hello Trigen,

It really depends on opportunities to find those grips. Also, there a different types, of which some are better than others. E.g. the buttons on a Thrustmaster FCS are of lower quality and the grip is scaled down. So it's rather something for smaller hands.

 

I got the above shown grip (Thrustmaster XFighter) for 30€ with shipping. Teensy costs around 20€. Then there's the resistors, a carbon pipe, epoxy glue, a switch, a usb cabel etc.

 

Do you already have your FFB2, or would you need one? I guess, it's the easiest, if you write me a PM and just tell me exactly what you'd like to have. :)

 

Greetings,

Viktor

Hey,

I'd like to add a similar switch to my Hybrid CH-FF, but i'm not sure about the needed size. Do you have by any chance a link to the eBay page for that switch? :music_whistling:

Thanks, Very nice work indeed! :thumbup:

Hey,

I'd like to add a similar switch to my Hybrid CH-FF, but i'm not sure about the needed size. Do you have by any chance a link to the eBay page for that switch? :music_whistling:

 

Thanks, Very nice work indeed! :thumbup:

Hey!

I don't have the exact link anymore. But I think, this should be it: Ebay Germany link

Basically it's a "miniature switch, 2 pins". It requires a 6mm hole.

I hope that helps!