Thanks
I think I discovered the solution to my own problem. It looks like the USB ports on my PC are under-powered. While the Remora’s screensaver mode is active, I’m only receiving 4.72v on the +5 rail. This causes the USB device to disconnect and reconnect randomly.
If I enable tournament mode, or press a button, there’s less draw on the +5 line (Tests around 4.8v) , and the device remains connected.
I have no problems when connected to the PS3 or 360 as they both test around 4.95v with screensaver mode active. Now that I know this, everything’s working great. Remora+ChimpSMD install successful!
I have the same problem if I use the front-panel USB ports on my PC. If I switch to the back ports or use a powered USB hub, I don’t have this problem.
Thats usually the case. A powered USB hub is another alternative, or one of those USB Y cables that come with external HDD enclosures (to tap power from a second USB jack)
I purchased the Remora and Arc-Eye 3’s as soon as they became available and I want to first start off by saying, the quality is amazing. I Just wanted a quick clarification about a statement from the Welcome letter that I’ve quoted below.
“Going into Tournament Mode will almost eliminate the power that would
normally be used and ensure smooth operation.”
Is there any button ‘delay’ induced with the Remora? Or is it based on the fact that USB power may fluctuate and the stick will disconnect like underpowered USB ports on a PC.
Just want to know what un-‘smooth’ operation entails
Well, not everyone has the same setup / mods. USB has a limit to how much current it can provide, and the amount drawn by your joystick can fluctuate (leds blinking on and off will cause that, as well as any other devices you may have installed on there like Toodles’ spark, etc). In fact, the only reason LEDs are possible in wired joysticks is because of the LED controller. There is not enough power to power all the LEDs at the same time, so what Remora is actually doing is blinking the LEDs in sequence - it does it very quickly so its hard to detect except by those with very sensitive eyes (who will see flickering - just like in the youtube video @ evo that Toodles and I made, but that is caused by shutter speed not co-inciding with the blinking rate). The overall effect is the appearance of all LEDs being on at the same time, but only a fraction of them actually are at any given point of time. This helps to minimize the amount of current drawn.
So it just simply means you can disable LEDs via tournament mode to reduce overall power draw to eliminate any chances of power disruption to your controller board if you happen to be close to the limit.
As for un-smooth operation, many things can happen if your devices try to draw too much power. PC can complain about a power surge, PS3 can complain about USB device error, whatever controller boards you are running can reset or just stop working etc…
Oh god no, that’s why I didnt even think to mention it. The button’s signal lines are watched by the Remora, but are totally hand’s off. If you take a multimeter to it, you can see that the buttons are directly connected to the 360 pcb or whatever else you hacked it into. Zero affect on the signal speed.
I’m looking to putting together a custom stick using Cthulhu, SparkCE, and ArcEye3/Remora on PS3. Has anyone tried this setup and do you think there will be power issues?
I put this up on the EVO FightStick Pro thread too, but since I mentioned it here, I thought I’d add this here too. Hope that’s okay…
I just finished modding my EVO FightStick Pro last night and wanted to share some pics. The full set is up at http://www.flickr.com/photos/vr/sets/72157630873339250/with/7699856240/ and I tried to document what I did as I went through the mod. I’d love feedback on the mod and how I went about it. I went with the new ArcEye3’s, the new Remora board, the ChimpSMD, a blue ball top, a blue shaft, and blue translucent Seimitsu buttons. I personally think the stick is gorgeous powered off, but when it’s powered on, the ArcEye3 LEDs are beyond description. Really beautiful.
One thing you can’t see in the picture, but thanks to the clear case, you can also easily see the ChimpSMD’s LEDs. =:)
Not sure if pictures will do it justice, but here’s a couple:
Wow nice! Maybe you could change the dustwasher?
Yeah, good idea. I didn’t realize you could order dustwashers by themselves. =:/
Dunno if spark will push consumption over the edge. I will do some measurements this weekend since I have one…
i want to make a custom stick, can i use Remora with PC/PS3 Cthulhu?
[FONT=helvetica][SIZE=5]YES? hard mod it?[/FONT][/SIZE]
Yes it can be done easy if you have Cthulu installed. Just connect Remora to the Cthulu via the screw terminals. You will need two standard 6 pin JST cables.
Cool, where can i get the 6 pin JST cables?
Thx
eBay, Amazon probably.
Probably your local radio shack… otherwise this looks compatible…
You’re not finding them at Radioshack lol
Good luck finding a Radioshack employee who knows what they are.
Last Shack trip I had, the worker didn’t even know what PCB feet were.
Lol… I thought Radio Shack in the US was supposed to be much better than up in Canada (now owned by the source)