rabidscoobie Posted April 21, 2017 Share Posted April 21, 2017 I recently got my hands on a CH Products Combat Stick and Pro throttle for almost nothing. Problem is they are gameport version of which Im aware of. But I know they can be converted to USB and from what Ive seen doesnt look to difficult to do. I have soldering skills,understand some very basics. So what I want to be able to do is have all buttons and axis working. But I also want to be able to add 2 rotaries to the throttle. I have a good idea of how I want it. My issues is I dont really understand the function or the needed type of board to make it work. I need to know what PCB to use for the conversion. Do I only need 1 PCB for the 2 or do I need one for each,stick and throttle? What type of rotaries do I need,specs and such? How hard is it to setup or program these boards to make it work? I have no skill with programing,at all. What I think I need= Stick 3 axis and total 18 buttons 6 actual buttons,1 4 way hat and 1 8 way hat. I assume the hats act as buttons also. Not so important to have the throttle wheel working but prefer it. Throttle 3 axis for thumb and throttle. 4 buttons 3x 4 way hats and 1 8 way hat for a total of 20 buttons so 24 buttons in all. Plus the 2 rotaries I want to add,pretty sure that would count as 2 more axis. So in total I would need 8 axis or 7 if I omit the throttle on the stick if needed. 42 buttons. I would also like a bit of room for some extra buttons,maybe 2-4 more. Id like to keep the electronics parts somewhat economical on cost.Doesnt have to be name brand,just work well. If it helps I have some older controllers around that can be used for parts. I thought I could make use of some parts for the rotaries and such. Logitech 3d Extreme Pro Logitech Attack 3 Logitech Dual Action Game Pad. I have my Saitek x52 HOTAS but its my current setup now and dont want to mess with it in case I really screw up. For my research I have done I think I saw this suggested but I dont know about these boards for this project at all. https://www.amazon.com/Gowoops-Leonardo-development-Microcontroller-ATmega32u4/dp/B06XG18DH1/ref=sr_1_14?ie=UTF8&qid=1492747392&sr=8-14&keywords=Leonardo+PRO+Micro And https://www.amazon.com/KOOKYE-ATmega32U4-arduino-Leonardo-ATmega328/dp/B01HCXMBOU/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1492747392&sr=8-2&keywords=Leonardo+PRO+Micro Rotaries I have no clue. Any info and help is very appreciated, Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rabidscoobie Posted April 21, 2017 Author Share Posted April 21, 2017 (edited) Also I forgot to add, If I am able to use only 1 board, how would I go about connect the throttle and stick together. I did read up on Sokol1 page here about the MMjoy stuff. I think I can do it with some effort. Im not new to modding controllers, just new to using aftermarket boards. I have built a set of rudder pedals in the past but I just robbed the electronics out of an old Logitech racing wheel, same goes for my button box and adding buttons to my x52. Just thought Id give some background on what I do know I can do and what Im not familiar with. Just remembered I will need the axis throttle on the stick,just wont need it on the stick. I plan to fab up a paddle type axis to put in front of the throttle handle similar to something like the Thrustmaster throttle has, the cheap one that is. I prefer to have that since I play ED and SC alot but also slowly trying to get back into flight sims again.Been years out of it. Edited April 21, 2017 by rabidscoobie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brewnix Posted April 21, 2017 Share Posted April 21, 2017 (edited) Hello rabidscoobie! For the promicro and the leonardo this porgram called MMjoy works really good does up to 8 axis 128 buttons and 6 encoders.Also utilizes Shift registers. Here's the link. https://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?p=2558215 This thread has alot on redoing a F15 stick By Debolestis. Hes also designed a few PCB's for the Promicro and shift registers that might be what you are looking for. https://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=138821 I have used mmjoy and the promicro in a rehab of a X55 and a small panel. EDIT-sorry I didn't see your second post about mmjoy was busy typing! Edited April 21, 2017 by Brewnix [sIGPIC][/sIGPIC] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rabidscoobie Posted April 21, 2017 Author Share Posted April 21, 2017 Hello rabidscoobie! For the promicro and the leonardo this porgram called MMjoy works really good does up to 8 axis 128 buttons and 6 encoders.Also utilizes Shift registers. Here's the link. https://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?p=2558215 This thread has alot on redoing a F15 stick By Debolestis. Hes also designed a few PCB's for the Promicro and shift registers that might be what you are looking for. https://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=138821 I have used mmjoy and the promicro in a rehab of a X55 and a small panel. EDIT-sorry didn't see you second post about mmjoy was busy typing! Thank you for the help. Couple questions here. So if I understand right, the board I linked in OP is the correct type I need? If so then good Im understanding some here...:music_whistling: Also you mentioned the encoders,those would be for rotaries,correct? As for shift registers I kind of forgot about those if that means one button acts as a shift key to make all the buttons now do other functions.??? I know these are pretty basic stuff but Im just not familiar with all the terms used for this type of thing. I see in the post you linked he talks about diodes but I dont see any mention what diodes are needed,I most likely have them. Also kind of looking at rotaries, would this be the type I need.They dont mention the specs as far as 10k,50k or 100k type. From what I understand I need some around 10-50k https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0177VGSQY/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_S_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=246EDI8PJ0XIH&coliid=I2KXN9VUT4K43Z combined with these caps or similar style,just not sure what size would work best. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KHSQF22/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=246EDI8PJ0XIH&coliid=I2215UMKUCGBNB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brewnix Posted April 21, 2017 Share Posted April 21, 2017 Yes that board is fine. Just for reference there is a link to github for MMjoy instructions it does show other supported boards. And various other instructions. https://github.com/MMjoy/mmjoy_en/wiki Shift registers are a IC chip you can place 8 buttons to one chip and only have 5 wires back to the promicro nice to consolidate wires especially in tight places.Plus shift registers can be chained together. and for Potentinometers 10k-50k will work. Plus when you start you project post in the MMjoy thread you will get alot of help there. Oh diodes are used in a button matrix. If you use SR you won't need diodes. [sIGPIC][/sIGPIC] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rabidscoobie Posted April 21, 2017 Author Share Posted April 21, 2017 Thanks for the info and links. That wiki is gonna be a lot of help,didnt find it on my own before. Will do about posting in the MMjoy thread now that I know how Im going about it now, I'm sure I'll need help along the way. Thanks.been a big help to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rabidscoobie Posted April 21, 2017 Author Share Posted April 21, 2017 Another question that I cant seem to find. If using only one board to wire both the stick and throttle,how would I connect both to pc with one usb cable? I dont see any wiring diagrams or even what type of cable or connectors to link the 2 controls together for one board Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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