Toodles pointed me here when I asked about running multiple PCBs in a single stick (don’t ask how I missed the thread… I thought I dug around… guess I didn’t dig enough). After reading the entirety of the thread, I think I’m getting a good idea of what needs to be done.
Essentially, I’m going to work on building a stick that has PSX/PS2 output and 360 output. I have a pair of Interact Pro-Shock sticks (though they look identical to the Blaze product of the same name) being shipped here. I also have a pair of Gamecube adapter coming with.
But, I digress… you’re not looking for a backstory.
I want to use the Pro-Shock as the PCB base for my PSX/PS2 output. I figure I’ll pick up a pair of MadCatz wired 360 controllers to work for the 360 output. Using quick disconnects and terminal strips, the majority of the wiring seems like it should be pretty easy. It seems that I can wire all of the arcade buttons (and the stick) into the terminal strip… then connect the PCBs to the terminal strip in a similar fashion. The only thing it looks like I need to worry about is making sure that the common ground and power lines are connected between the boards (and that I don’t try using the stick with multiple systems at the same time… should be easy enough for me).
Taking TMO’s diagram as inspiration (more accurately… blatantly ripping off TMO’s diagram)… I came up with this. Would anyone be so kind as to make sure that I’ve got the general idea right?
The only thing that I’m really curious about, at this point in the game, is why it is necessary to directly connect the common grounds of the PCBs? Aren’t they connected via the terminal strip in this case?
You aren’t directly connecting the common grounds, IE, the button/pad ground. You directly connect the ground and +V that is coming in from the console.
Alright… so that’s something different. Coming out of that response, then… just to clarify… this connection is made at the point where the the controller cable connects to the PCB, right? Is it best to leave the controller cable alone (not splicing it in any way) and work only with the PCB?
If they are common ground pads like they should be, then ground lines will be connected together the way you have it drawn, and another wire connected grounds won’t be neccessary. Connecting the power like IS neccessary.
Starcade’s correct. Doing it like you have drawn will work, but offers no protection if you plug the cables into two consoles at the same time; it’d be bad. You can build in protection against such a problem by working with the power lines before it reaches the PCBs. Look for info in this thread regarding switches and diodes.
I read a bit about the switch and diode options. I’m not really interested in the switch route (what can I say, Toodles convinced me that it was wasteful… and it restricts future expansion if I don’t get a large enough switch). I’ll give the diodes more consideration, but I’m not too worried about the lack of protection since I mean to have a cable compartment in my design for cleaner storage when it’s not in use; if I’m doing that, there’s no real reason to have two cables out at a time… and protection against sending power from two consoles doesn’t seem like an issue for me. Seems like this would be an easy solution for anyone, but I’m guessing that others may not necessary disconnect and store their controllers after use.
This was discussed before but I’m still kind of confused.
In what situations would both PCB’s be plugged in? Is it just in case some kid comes over and thinks that it would be cool plug in both to see what happens or is there some case where one could accidentally activate both PCB’s?
It works :party: XBox 360, Playstation Dual Shock and my button flash board. Thanks to Toodles for helping me get over the funky response I was getting from the XBox 360 pad. I was able to trace it to a incorrect power point on the playstation pad. BTW, the joystick top lights up too.
I know this has been asked several times but I just want to make sure that I’m doing this right. I have a madcatz 360 pad and SFAC pad that i want to have in the same stick. When I do the wiring, from my knowledge as of now, I do the following:
1)The 5v(360) gets a wire to the 3.3v(PS2)
2)Connect the Grounds between the two PCBs
3)Then send another ground to the joysticks/buttons from the PCBs (Not too sure on what to do in this step?)
After I have did all of this my PS2 does not respond to any input, and my 360 goes crazy, it starts pushing all the buttons at once lol. I will try and take a picture later on tonight if you guys need, I dont have it with me right now.
Where exactly would you find the ground and 3.3v on a psx controller and the ground and 5v on a 360 one. Im trying to hook up a psx pcb with the stock 360 hori ex2 pcb.
When I first made this, i directly **tested the USB out, it worked **and i thought this is it,
but now (1 week later) i wanted to play on PS2, and discovered that it’s not working.
I’ve tested the voltage across all the buttons/directions when the PS2 cable is pluged,
all of them had 3.3V going throu except 2 of the stick direction which has half the voltage 1.65V,
but still the buttons arn’t functioning, any idea what’s wrong?
Opening a new topic would be a waste. Your description of the setup, what you’ve done, and the symptoms you’re having are all lacking. No one can do anything but guess without enough information.
