7800 Controller with Tactile switchs

[douglie007]

AlecRob asked me to add switches to a 7800 controller, thinking it would be easy I said I can do it... not so easy to just add switches to the board, so I did a compete redo and this is what I got.

 

 

Dremeled down on the pegs :

 

 

found some big switches and soldered the grounds together.

 

 

 

the played tetris to get everything to fit;

 

 

2 hours later I have a working controller

 

 

[AlecRob]

Wow...

 

That looks really great!

 

 

amazing job.

 

 

Now that you know what your doing i assume the second controller will be much easier.

Edited April 20, 2014 by AlecRob

[Lynxpro]

And for an encore, will you be adding a spring to a 5200 controller?

[douglie007]

It should be easier but the switches are .60 Each which is not bad it just sucked that I couldnt use the cheaper .20 ones LOL. I would love to make the 5200 controller better, but I have not messed with it much, I was thinking that I could use a newer analog controller and make it work for the 5200.

[AlecRob]

It should be easier but the switches are .60 Each which is not bad it just sucked that I couldnt use the cheaper .20 ones LOL. I would love to make the 5200 controller better, but I have not messed with it much, I was thinking that I could use a newer analog controller and make it work for the 5200.

Maybe an adaptor to use a Sega Saturn analogue controller on a 5200?

 

 

Or maybe a PS2 controller. (try to avoid modding saturn controllers, they are sacred!)

[douglie007]

Its the workings of the 5200 controllers, I was thinking a jaguar controller and add a ps analog stick to it inplace of the directional pad. But again I only have one extra jag controller

[AlecRob]

 

you could build an arcade style joystick using one of these: http://na.suzohapp.com/all_catalogs/joysticks&R=16&S=TS&FILTER_NAME=JOYSTICK_CONTROL&FILTER_VALUE=Analog&FILTER_UOM=

 

plus add a telephone keypad: http://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/Professional-metal-telephone-keypad_808579361.html

 

 

and seimitsu buttons: http://www.focusattack.com/buttons/seimitsu/

 

and an LS-40 for games that work better with digital controls: http://www.focusattack.com/seimitsu-ls-40-joystick-187-fastener-type-with-re-plate/

Edited April 20, 2014 by AlecRob

[douglie007]

That would be awesome

[Lynxpro]

Its the workings of the 5200 controllers, I was thinking a jaguar controller and add a ps analog stick to it inplace of the directional pad. But again I only have one extra jag controller

It's a great idea. I had suggested in another thread that taking a Jaguar Pro Controller, adding an analog XBox or PS thumbstick to it, and then wiring it for the 5200 would make it the ultimate 5200 controller.

 

I should mention that someone took the thumbstick mechanics from an original Xbox controller, added it to the 5200 controller and changed out the stick itself with a custom rod and he made and it self-center. I think the goal was to rewire the 5200 controller with an Xbox. It's out on a website that I forgot the name of. I'm surprised more people haven't done that for the purpose of having a self- centering stick on the 5200. Combine that with the Best Electronics replacement parts for the flex circuit and you have the 5200 joystick as it should have been since day one.

[ColecoGemini]

 

 

 

you could build an arcade style joystick using one of these: http://na.suzohapp.com/all_catalogs/joysticks&R=16&S=TS&FILTER_NAME=JOYSTICK_CONTROL&FILTER_VALUE=Analog&FILTER_UOM=

 

plus add a telephone keypad: http://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/Professional-metal-telephone-keypad_808579361.html

 

 

and seimitsu buttons: http://www.focusattack.com/buttons/seimitsu/

 

and an LS-40 for games that work better with digital controls: http://www.focusattack.com/seimitsu-ls-40-joystick-187-fastener-type-with-re-plate/

a $250 joystick for the 7800? Yikes.

[AlecRob]

and dont forget it has to be in a hand-made wooden case.

[douglie007]

not wooding, gold plated titanium.

[yell0w_lantern]

It's a great idea. I had suggested in another thread that taking a Jaguar Pro Controller, adding an analog XBox or PS thumbstick to it, and then wiring it for the 5200 would make it the ultimate 5200 controller.

 

I should mention that someone took the thumbstick mechanics from an original Xbox controller, added it to the 5200 controller and changed out the stick itself with a custom rod and he made and it self-center. I think the goal was to rewire the 5200 controller with an Xbox. It's out on a website that I forgot the name of. I'm surprised more people haven't done that for the purpose of having a self- centering stick on the 5200. Combine that with the Best Electronics replacement parts for the flex circuit and you have the 5200 joystick as it should have been since day one.

I think it's easier to just build a new 5200 controller. http://atariage.com/forums/topic/204711-new-5200-joystick-from-best/page-4 Go down to almost the end of the page for pics and a part list.

 

As far as 7800 controllers, I think Tomee's repro NES controllers are a good choice for modding.

1) they're cheap and plentiful so it's no big deal to mess one up

2) no original hardware is harmed

3) the stock carbon dots are lousy - you almost have to mod them to make them work

4) the board has solder pads which make rewiring a breeze

 

I did this for my C-64 so with a 7800 you have to worry about the 2 button wiring but the basic process is the same.

Basically, you take out all the silicone stuff with carbon dots and put these tactile switches in their places: http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/PTS810%20SJG%20250%20SMTR%20LFS/CKN10504CT-ND/4176677

You cut all traces coming from the glob-top chip, wire a DB-9 to the solder pads and to the solder eyelet for ground.

Cut out a piece of perfboard in the shape of the D-pad and glue it to the bottom of your D-pad to give you some height above the controller casing unless, of course, you like your d-pad flush with the controller casing.

Oh, and use some hot glue (where your DB-9 goes into the case) for strain relief.

Edited May 2, 2014 by yell0w_lantern

[yell0w_lantern]

I finally got around to a couple of Pro Controllers I have been meaning to ball mod and I decided to replace the buckled dome switches as well.

I used a very thin switch which meant no case modding was necessary. I just cut out the dome contacts and soldered these in place; I also use these in my CX-40s. I have not tried them in the Sears Video Arcade 2 controllers.

 

The switches are 19 cents each, by the way.

http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/TL3315NF160Q/EG4621CT-ND/1870401

 

 

Ball knob:

http://www.amazon.com/Davies-Thermoset-Smooth-Threaded-Diameter/dp/B005LRQQDW/ref=sr_sp-atf_title_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1399429232&sr=8-1&keywords=1%22+threaded+ball+knob