I've been searching for a wiring tutorial for my first arcade build. My board didn't come with the 5v sockets to wire up the LEDs, so I soldered a couple of pins to it. Your video was very informative. Thanks.
FYI The plate under the JoyStick is called a Gate, them come: Rounded-Square for 4 Way Rounded-Oval for 8 Way or Octagon 8Way for better controller, Also you can use the 4 Up Down Left Right from the Joystick to Buttons instead, if needing more buttons, Link to Black/Earth and use the 4 spots for Buttons
Just finished a diy build, using a standard encoder board, for joystick, and buttons. Only the buttons are used. Pinball Arcade won't recognize it, even though it's detected in Windows USB game controller setup. I'm going to try the Joy to key program you mentioned. Maybe that'll work. Thanks for the video.
Hi I need help because it doesnt work for me. When i open de config the buttons blink red so it shows me that the buttons work. But when i open the joy2key then it doesnt work. Only the joysticks work in joy2key
What do the orange terminals do? I have never used them before, and I would often guess these terminals would be used for external LEDs: one if the circuit board is connected and fully-powered, and the other for signifying if analog mode is enabled or not.
They are 5v connectors. You can use them to power LED buttons for example. The board has 2 LEDs - green for power and red to indicate the alternative/analogue mode is enabled. The board doesn't support analogue straight out of the box, and needs modification to do so.
Hi Tom there shouldn't be any reason why you couldn't plug anything which sends a simple digital on/off signal. All the sockets on this board work similarly and the joystick plugs work just like the button sockets. I don't believe you would damage anything by trying. Cheers!
Hello Tom, can you share which type of encoder you used? I would love to know how to add in a rotary encoder that presses a button when rotated to the left and another button when rotated to the right.
Hi James. Many of the board/button kits say 5v/12v The kits I've bought are supplied with 5v leds and I haven't actually tried it, but there is a post here: forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=151254.0 which might help. Cheers.
Hi, this board as it comes is digital only, and requires some difficult modifications to get it to understand an analogue signal such as produced by a spinner or wheel. You might find some helpful info in this clip which looks relevant (not mine) th-cam.com/video/AqYDVgHWPoc/w-d-xo.html hope it helps - cheers!
Hi, firstly thanks for the video, it helped me. I’m new to these circuit stuff so i don’t know very much, i have a question. What does mode, turbo, clr and auto ports do? Can i use them to connect more buttons?
Hi, and sorry for the slow response. Yes, you can attach more buttons - the Turbo button is like a rapid fire button, and Mode changes the input signal (I think so you can have 2 boards, not conflicting). Hope it helps.
Hi.to do 2players with 6 buttons each do I just put 6 buttons into keys 1-6 and daisy chain key 1 slot with (p2A)button for eg. and daisy chain key slot 2 with(p2B) button and so on?thanks
Hi Jay, this board has 12 button sockets - you should be able to just plug all your buttons in with no issue, and assign them to keypresses as described. Hope it helps.
@@arnoldj.rimmer5116 hey man, I am trying to build a small dj controller using a similar board. From your video I successfully mapped the buttons I need using joy2key but I cand figure out how to make a rotary potentiometer work... do you think it is possible? Thank you
@@ApostolCOctavian Hi mate you're not going to be able to get a potentiometer to work with this board as it is. There is a messy method to enable anologue by cutting some of the PCB tracks, removing a couple of the resistors and soldering in wires to achieve it, but you'd be better off with something else which supports an analogue input out of the box. Look at a Teensy or Ardiuno or similar board to make it easier. Hope it helps!
Hey, I'm using a zero delay LED blue board. For some reason my joystick wont go in any direction apart from up on the game controller programme. Have you come across this at all? Thank you
Hi again.i have spare buttons with microswitches.can I use those with the usb decoder or do they have to be usb type buttons.no leds which I don't want to use anyway.thanks
Hi Jay. The buttons to use are simple microswitches, as used on normal arcade machines, but really any type of digital ((on or off) switch with a two-cable connector would be ok.
Hi Arnold, Great stuffs. Thank you. Can you give us the full list of your joytokey setup information. Like what key or keyboard you press for for plunger, right flipper and left flipper, viewer angle, right nag, left nag, front nag. I am sorry but I am confused. I don’t know which key on keyboard is for what on the pinball so if you can that will be great help. I know which one is 1, esc, enter key on the keyboard but then rest I don’t. Like the one listed flippers, tilt or Nags not sure I am using right English term or word. Which you make the pinball tilt. Thank you
Hi Johnny. The keys depend on what software you are using. If you are using Visual Pinball, start the program without loading a table, go to the Preferences menu and click Configure Keys, Nudge & DOF... A window will open which gives all the key assignments and their function. From here you can note the key and function to enter into joytokey, or change them to suit your preference. For other programs like Pinball FX or Pinball Arcade, look at the key assignments to see which keys are assigned to which function, and use that info to enter assignments into joytokey. Save each as a separate profile in joytokey under the same name as the pinball software and it will automatically load that profile when you start that game (you must have joytokey running of course). Cheers!
I'm about to find out, I'll let you know. Theoretically yes because the joystick connections are analogue but I can't see how you would change the values.
Hi Bernard, so sorry for the slow reply. You should look at software like Joystick to Mouse here: sourceforge.net/projects/moustick/ (I haven't tried it myself so I don't know if it'll do what you need, but worth a shot. Cheers!
Hi Fernando. Honestly I'm not sure. I'd start by removing everything and restarting. Just work wiht a single button and get that working before adding more. Maybe check that the connector is the right way round, but I don't think that's doable without forcing the connector into place...
May I know how to connect a USB joystick to JAMMA harness? I just have the arcade board without the cabinet and I already found a RGB to VGA converter. Hopefully you can share your experience with me.
Hi, sorry but I don't know of a way to connect USB controllers to a JAMMA harness. They're not really designed to work together. You might try the forums on byoac.com (buildyourownarcadecontrols), to see if anyone else has done something similar. Cheers!
i happened to buy the same set as you, no instructions. this helped a lot! have you seen a way to change the color light on the joystick or does it just cycle the rainbow forever? i got a blue and a green joystick but i thought they would just be blue and green lights...
@@arnoldj.rimmer5116 I just unsoldered the red leds, now it just cycles blue and green, goes with the blue and green theme i have going on. thanks anyway!
Hi LH, this board doesn't support any anologue input out of the box. If you want to use a trackball, spinner or similar, look at an Arduino Leonardo, which does support analogue input and isn't too expensive - there's lots of support about too for setting these up for Mame cabs and the like. Cheers!
By any chance you do know how to set the default mode for this encoder? I don't like the idea of adding a button to set the mode. Instead I'm thinking maybe add an inverter or change a resistor to set the default mode. Any help will be appreciated!
Hi, I have only tested changing the mode with a button attached to the mode port. I haven't tested if it stays in that mode after powering down though. I won't be able to get back home for some time still because of travel restrictions here, but if I get the chance I'll do some more testing and let you know...
Hi yes the boards came with only enough cables to connect the buttons, not the LEDs. But as I ordered a double set and only used one, there were enough cables for this setup. However, I had to make a daisy-chained cable myself to feed the +5V from the board to the button LED connectors so I ordered more of the same cables with the female connectors already fitted (the connection is also the same for the joystick supplied) to make it easier for just a few dollars. Hope that's clear...
Hi, it sounds like the board might be broken. Does Windows not show it at all in the Printers and Devices list? Try a different USB cable to see if that is the issue, and try a button (or briefly shorting), the Mode button (green/red light should alternate to check if the LED is working ok). Probably not much you can do to fix it if it is broken except get in touch with the seller and ask for a replacement. Hope it helps!
Hi, sorry for the slow reply. I didn't experience that issue so I can only guess that the board may be faulty. You might try putting a button across the mode switch and changing the mode - not sure how affective it might be though. Good luck!
A very useful tutorial, I'll be refering to it again when I start my project. The cables from the buttons to the board look quite short, did you have any problems with placing the buttons where you wanted in the cabinet? I know it's easy enough to just extend the cables but it would be nicer if the were a bit longer in the first place.
Cheers Jeff! Great question, yes, the cables supplied with the button/encoder kit are short (about 8 inches), but just about ok for the mini cabinet I made - the encoder sits mounted onto inside of the front piece and central to all the buttons which are within 8 inches from it. It is a consideration though as even a slightly bigger cabinet would necessitate extending at least some of the cables.
Hi, yes. Use the power plug to the LED connectors on the first button. Then chain these connectors to those on the next, then the next and so on. If you look at this video you can see that's exactly what I did. th-cam.com/video/jVHkaD42C18/w-d-xo.html Cheers!
Hi the unused joystick (on this board) ports register direction changes just like joypad switches. With Joytokey or similar I don't see any reason why you couldn't assign buttons in these ports to anything you want. Very handy too if you want to navigate menus or play with buttons rather than a joystick. The other 4 ports Mode, Turbo, CLR and Auto don't register as button presses in either Windows controller properties or Joytokey (which supports many more buttons). Mode (unsure what this does but LED changes from red to green), Turbo is autofire, CLR is to clear autofire and Auto seems to be another type of autofire which flashes the red LED. When I get round to my next project I might spend some time on these but to answer your question it appears that these ports cannot be used for simple buttons.
@@tve5614 Hi no I don't believe so with this board, which is just simple digital ports. If you want to have a realistic plunger or tilt mechs you should take a look at the virtual pinball forums you'll find lots of help.
Using two on P.C. The name is the same on both under device manager so the game cannot distinguish the two. When I program one, the second won’t allow it. Any idea around this? Maybe jump the device so it shows are 24 button rather than just 12?
Hi mate, can i ask which game it is which uses so many buttons? I assume it uses the joystick input directly rather than going through a program like joytokey, or is it programming the joytokey software which is the issue? Cheers!
Arnold J. Rimmer I’m playing DCS world and Flight Sim 2020. In DCS , the name of the device is the same. Each encoder runs a 12 button button box. So when one button box is assigned, the other one won’t allow it because the game can’t have the same input number such as one with the same input device. It’s a funny it can’t tell that they are two different devices even though they show up in separate columns.
@@AHmn-jt3yb understood. I can't think what you can do within FS2020 itself, but maybe something here to consider. I used 2 encoders on a PC setup and Windows properties listed both with the same name. By using joytokey I could assign any button on either controller to send any specific keypress to the program (MAME in this case) - the profile was saved and assigned to the program and (keeping the same encoders in the same boards), it remembered the 2 boards with no issues. Sorry if that's not too clear (basically assign buttons as keypresses in joytokey and use that to communicate with FS2020), but maybe it'll give you an option to consider - you seem to be an enthusiast who'd spend a few minutes to set it up... Cheers!
Arnold J. Rimmer I found that the MODE button on the encoder chi a few from “ps3/pc” to “android” so that worked. DCS world can’t see two controllers with the same name and same button assignment. Works now though cheers!
Can this be done with small buttons. I want to make a custom layout game controller, but I only see USB encoders for Arcade Gamepads and not Console-esque controllers.
Hi mate yes this and others like it are ideal for custom designed layouts. It's recognised as a generic USB joystick and, by using a program like joytokey, you can assign any key input to any button. It should also work with any type of digital (on/off) arcade button of any size. Also cheap enough kit to use to prototype your setup with first. I used this for a mini-pinball machine (check my mini-pinball videos - just ignore my erming/ahhing :), so the layout was specific to my requirements. Cheers!
@@arnoldj.rimmer5116 What would you recomend for Gamecube controller. I want to make a custom GameCube controller for retropie, but it uses 2 analog. Encoders only have one analog.
@@MrSirFluffy Hi mate I have to admit I know nothing about the Gamecube controller, though the idea sounds interesting. If I wanted to investigate it further, I'd try to get a cheap controller to strip down and see what I could do to adapt it. Hope you sort it out ok. Cheers!
Hey bud great 👍 video. I built a similar arcade stick with a cheap usb encoder kit. It came with 2 joysticks, 16 buttons, and 2 usb encoder boards. My computer recognizes the buttons and sticks under the device properties, but when I go into joytokey and press a button or move the joysticks nothing happens. When I press a button on my Xbox one controller I can see a yellow highlight on a number. Would you know why joytokey is not recognizing my home made arcade stick?
Hi Rogerio, I set up the 2 screen in windows, and in PinballX. Take a look at some other clips. I think I explain how I set the screens up at the beginning of setting up Future Pinball. Cheers!
H Thanks for the video very informative especially for a 55yr old woman. Could the other 4 sockets for the 4 way joystick be used for a trackball? thanks
Hi Gillian. A trackball would need some kind of analogue interface capable of interpreting the variable signals received from it. As it stands, this board only reads digital (on/off, open/closed), when buttons are pressed etc. Trackballs can come with a USB or a PS2 (older type, round mouse/keyboard connections), and can be read as a mouse when attached to a computer. If you're looking at a trackball, look at the interface cable and how it would attached to your hardware to understand what is needed to get it to work. Also have a look at byoac.com forums for more trackball info. Hope it helps!
@@gillianknights6927 Hi Gillian yes I see - the spinners work similarly to a trackballs but in a single plane, but also need an analogue device t interpret the signal, which is what the Arduino in that setup does (but which this can't as we know). It looks like an interesting project! Best of luck with it Gillian!
Thank you for the guide! I also got 2 of these usb controllers from China. Unfortunately I can't find a daisy chain set of the cables to order so I can input all of the LED buttons at the 5V slot. Is there any other way? (Besides asking an electrician maybe to splice and chain the existing ones)
Hi, I made my own using cable and connectors - it's not that difficult, or I've put a link to the type of thing to buy from AliExpress below. You might be able to find these locally. Cheers! www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002347743178.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.0.0.647e3a58bkFfvg&algo_pvid=88f63025-0185-4aaa-9dbe-2ec5b2077a0c&algo_expid=88f63025-0185-4aaa-9dbe-2ec5b2077a0c-0&btsid=0bb0624416225894079291804edbce&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_,searchweb201603_
Arnold great video but if you have time and the knowledge could you help? I'm new to these boards and wondered can buttons 1 - 12 etc be configured to match specific keys from a keyboard or If not what keys do they match? Many thanks in advance.
Hi Gary. Look again at the clip at around 16 minutes in. The board is recognised as a joystick by Windows, but by using a program such as "Joy2Key", the buttons can simulate keypresses in order to work with the various software. Plan your button layout logically, decide what each button should do in each program, then create a joy2key profile for that software. I might try to do a more detailed clip for this, but I'm working a long way from home so it might be a while before I get a chance. Let me know how you get on. Cheers!
@@arnoldj.rimmer5116 Sorry for the delay but Covid and all that. Thank you for the recommendation about the software. Downloaded and set up with my newly set up laptop which is going to run a jukebox (DW jukebox). So my old laptop reinstalled with Windows XP, attached USB joystick controller and then loaded Joy2Key software. Easy to set up and enables me to have 16 allocated button as I have remapped the joystick switches as well. Early tests are promising, just need to run it for a few days but no signs of stutter. Took a bit of time to get it to load automatically on startup but that was more of the dodgy info I was given at the time.
Cheers Sarge! There is a way to use Analogue input on these cards, but not straight out of the box. The Mode input switches between Digital & analogue modes, but using Analogue inputs involves removal of some resistors, cutting of PCB tracks and soldering wires onto the required parts. Look here for more info (and instructions). Hope it helps! www.instructables.com/Lets-make-a-game-controller/
Hi, it's recognised as a generic USB joystick on a PC - if your PS4 can use other non-PS4 gamepads this should work too. Good for a fightstick project.
Hi, did you hear any information about any delay in pressing the buttons? I have seen other "Zero Delay" models, (red PCB), which claim to have better low latency and better performance. Can you tell me something? Thanks.
Hi Andy I also understand from research that the more expensive options are supposed to be very low input lag. I can comment that the cheap Chinese PCB I used showed no noticeable delay from pressing the button to the flippers reacting even on this low-end setup. Like anything I'd suggest getting the best you can within your budget or check out the pinball forums for more detailed info.
G'day mate, Its exactly the info I was after. after being unsure about how to go about my led's, you made my next step a breeze. I will add content to my channel of results, so please check out the simrig im creating from peoples rubbish. Thanks so much mate. Ill give you creds
Hi, I do have Virtual Pinball but it's not yet installed on this setup. There are already so many tables to play I'm not sure if I need to install VP as well.
Hi I haven't tried it, but if your box supports a usb controller for input, this would work the same way. Interesting idea to design a custom controller though... Cheers!
@@kozu7213 Hi, if a normal gamepad works, then this should also. It acts just like any generic usb input device. You might have to check which ports have the buttons attached if you're trying it on a non-windows device like android - I'm not sure tbh... Cheers!
Hi Syafiq, yes this kit would be suitable for a fight game controller project. I would recommend a more expensive joystick though, as the springs on the joystick in the kit were quite weak. Good luck! Cheers!
Does the encoder get enough energy to work through the USB cable? or Are the 5 volt conectors necessary for it to work? I want to get a kit like this for a raspberry pi arcade bartop.
Hi, the encoder gets enough power through the 5V USB and works with no problems - just like a joypad or joystick. The 5V connectors on the board are for only powering the LEDs on the buttons if they have them (if buttons don't have LEDs these aren't used, but LEDs look really nice). Cheers!
Cheers Claudio it works just like any USB generic digital joypad so it should work with the box, but I'm not sure how it would interface with Pinball Arcade on Android - I use joytokey for the PC version - might want to check if it accepts joystick input mate.
Hi. Yes, it's just digital and suitable for retro games which use this kind of input. For analogue input, you should use an Arduino Leonardo, which emulates an analogue controller like the XBox360 controller and is easy to set up with code you can download from arduino fan sites. Cheers!
Hi, this board won't accept analogue input as it stands. There is a modification I've seen online which does allow for it, but I'd just recommend getting a better board - Arduino Leonardo would fit the bill. Cheers.
I've been searching for a wiring tutorial for my first arcade build. My board didn't come with the 5v sockets to wire up the LEDs, so I soldered a couple of pins to it. Your video was very informative. Thanks.
FYI The plate under the JoyStick is called a Gate, them come: Rounded-Square for 4 Way Rounded-Oval for 8 Way or Octagon 8Way for better controller, Also you can use the 4 Up Down Left Right from the Joystick to Buttons instead, if needing more buttons, Link to Black/Earth and use the 4 spots for Buttons
Thanks, that joyToKey program was really helpful
the joytokey program solved my problem for DBFZ. thank you very much!
Cheers Leon!
seen a lot reyann/easyget encoder videos, but yours is the best, thx a lot
Cheers! I'm glad it helped!
Thanks for the demo. I've just received a set of this type of button, so this is a major help.
Cheers Thomas glad it helped!
Thank you very much. This Video is a great help for me to build my own Pinball. You explained it really good.
Just finished a diy build, using a standard encoder board, for joystick, and buttons. Only the buttons are used. Pinball Arcade won't recognize it, even though it's detected in Windows USB game controller setup. I'm going to try the Joy to key program you mentioned. Maybe that'll work. Thanks for the video.
Hi I need help because it doesnt work for me. When i open de config the buttons blink red so it shows me that the buttons work. But when i open the joy2key then it doesnt work. Only the joysticks work in joy2key
What do the orange terminals do? I have never used them before, and I would often guess these terminals would be used for external LEDs: one if the circuit board is connected and fully-powered, and the other for signifying if analog mode is enabled or not.
They are 5v connectors. You can use them to power LED buttons for example. The board has 2 LEDs - green for power and red to indicate the alternative/analogue mode is enabled. The board doesn't support analogue straight out of the box, and needs modification to do so.
I think it's best to wire up the buttons exactly the same for each player, otherwise you get all kinds of issues later on. Ghosting, etc.
Thank you, you are a lifesaver!
5:18 I don‘t really know much about soldering but can I put a 5 pin encoder in the hole instead of a 5 pin joystick?
Hi Tom there shouldn't be any reason why you couldn't plug anything which sends a simple digital on/off signal. All the sockets on this board work similarly and the joystick plugs work just like the button sockets. I don't believe you would damage anything by trying. Cheers!
Hello Tom, can you share which type of encoder you used? I would love to know how to add in a rotary encoder that presses a button when rotated to the left and another button when rotated to the right.
Hello. Do you have any idea why my pandora 12s got stuck on. The welcome screen. Already check my sd car. ?
I have a question. You have used some LED buttons. I only find these with 12V. But the encoder has only 5V. Does the 12V work?
Hi James. Many of the board/button kits say 5v/12v The kits I've bought are supplied with 5v leds and I haven't actually tried it, but there is a post here: forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=151254.0 which might help. Cheers.
if you need more buttons on your arcade machine pinball etc can you add another usb joystick board at all?
Hi yes you can have more than one of these in different USB ports. Cheers!
Do you know how to wire up a 360 degree rotating rotary encoder to this board?
Hi, this board as it comes is digital only, and requires some difficult modifications to get it to understand an analogue signal such as produced by a spinner or wheel. You might find some helpful info in this clip which looks relevant (not mine) th-cam.com/video/AqYDVgHWPoc/w-d-xo.html hope it helps - cheers!
I have the same items with two small buttons, I’m having trouble on where to connect that on the board, It’s a start button.
Hi, you can connect buttons to any of the 12 ports and assign its function (start, fire, etc.), in the joytokey software. Cheers!
Hi, firstly thanks for the video, it helped me. I’m new to these circuit stuff so i don’t know very much, i have a question. What does mode, turbo, clr and auto ports do? Can i use them to connect more buttons?
Hi, and sorry for the slow response. Yes, you can attach more buttons - the Turbo button is like a rapid fire button, and Mode changes the input signal (I think so you can have 2 boards, not conflicting). Hope it helps.
Hi.to do 2players with 6 buttons each do I just put 6 buttons into keys 1-6 and daisy chain key 1 slot with (p2A)button for eg. and daisy chain key slot 2 with(p2B) button and so on?thanks
Hi Jay, this board has 12 button sockets - you should be able to just plug all your buttons in with no issue, and assign them to keypresses as described. Hope it helps.
I got the same.setup zero instructions , i have a volume control on my arcade 1 up , where would i connect that to a control
thank you for this video! helped me a lot!!! cheers
Cheers Octavian!
@@arnoldj.rimmer5116 hey man, I am trying to build a small dj controller using a similar board. From your video I successfully mapped the buttons I need using joy2key but I cand figure out how to make a rotary potentiometer work... do you think it is possible? Thank you
@@ApostolCOctavian Hi mate you're not going to be able to get a potentiometer to work with this board as it is. There is a messy method to enable anologue by cutting some of the PCB tracks, removing a couple of the resistors and soldering in wires to achieve it, but you'd be better off with something else which supports an analogue input out of the box. Look at a Teensy or Ardiuno or similar board to make it easier. Hope it helps!
Hey, I'm using a zero delay LED blue board. For some reason my joystick wont go in any direction apart from up on the game controller programme. Have you come across this at all?
Thank you
Hi again.i have spare buttons with microswitches.can I use those with the usb decoder or do they have to be usb type buttons.no leds which I don't want to use anyway.thanks
Hi Jay. The buttons to use are simple microswitches, as used on normal arcade machines, but really any type of digital ((on or off) switch with a two-cable connector would be ok.
Hi Arnold, Great stuffs. Thank you. Can you give us the full list of your joytokey setup information. Like what key or keyboard you press for for plunger, right flipper and left flipper, viewer angle, right nag, left nag, front nag. I am sorry but I am confused. I don’t know which key on keyboard is for what on the pinball so if you can that will be great help. I know which one is 1, esc, enter key on the keyboard but then rest I don’t. Like the one listed flippers, tilt or Nags not sure I am using right English term or word. Which you make the pinball tilt. Thank you
Hi Johnny. The keys depend on what software you are using. If you are using Visual Pinball, start the program without loading a table, go to the Preferences menu and click Configure Keys, Nudge & DOF... A window will open which gives all the key assignments and their function. From here you can note the key and function to enter into joytokey, or change them to suit your preference.
For other programs like Pinball FX or Pinball Arcade, look at the key assignments to see which keys are assigned to which function, and use that info to enter assignments into joytokey. Save each as a separate profile in joytokey under the same name as the pinball software and it will automatically load that profile when you start that game (you must have joytokey running of course).
Cheers!
It’s possible to connect a potentiometer on this board?
Hi Luca - I'm unsure TBH...
I'm about to find out, I'll let you know. Theoretically yes because the joystick connections are analogue but I can't see how you would change the values.
Is it possible to use the joystick as the cursor pointer?
Hi Bernard, so sorry for the slow reply. You should look at software like Joystick to Mouse here: sourceforge.net/projects/moustick/ (I haven't tried it myself so I don't know if it'll do what you need, but worth a shot. Cheers!
hello i have a problem with mine, buttons apear as pressed, any ideas??
Hi Fernando. Honestly I'm not sure. I'd start by removing everything and restarting. Just work wiht a single button and get that working before adding more. Maybe check that the connector is the right way round, but I don't think that's doable without forcing the connector into place...
wires on wrong way. I do it on purpose for pinball plungers...
My buttons lit up but are not working if i push them. Any idea?
Ok....thank you for responding.
May I know how to connect a USB joystick to JAMMA harness? I just have the arcade board without the cabinet and I already found a RGB to VGA converter. Hopefully you can share your experience with me.
Hi, sorry but I don't know of a way to connect USB controllers to a JAMMA harness. They're not really designed to work together. You might try the forums on byoac.com (buildyourownarcadecontrols), to see if anyone else has done something similar. Cheers!
i happened to buy the same set as you, no instructions. this helped a lot! have you seen a way to change the color light on the joystick or does it just cycle the rainbow forever? i got a blue and a green joystick but i thought they would just be blue and green lights...
Hi, sorry for the slow response. Hmm I can't seem to see a way to stop the led colours from cycling either...
@@arnoldj.rimmer5116 I just unsoldered the red leds, now it just cycles blue and green, goes with the blue and green theme i have going on. thanks anyway!
Is it possible to connect a trackball to this board? So I can play Centipede and other trackball games?
Hi LH, this board doesn't support any anologue input out of the box. If you want to use a trackball, spinner or similar, look at an Arduino Leonardo, which does support analogue input and isn't too expensive - there's lots of support about too for setting these up for Mame cabs and the like. Cheers!
Says ok but nothing is showing in properties for me. Im at a loss never had this before.
By any chance you do know how to set the default mode for this encoder? I don't like the idea of adding a button to set the mode. Instead I'm thinking maybe add an inverter or change a resistor to set the default mode. Any help will be appreciated!
Hi, I have only tested changing the mode with a button attached to the mode port. I haven't tested if it stays in that mode after powering down though. I won't be able to get back home for some time still because of travel restrictions here, but if I get the chance I'll do some more testing and let you know...
@@arnoldj.rimmer5116 thanks a bunch!
Did you add those female connectors to the 5 volts yourself? I just got my board and i dont see any other board with them.
Hi yes the boards came with only enough cables to connect the buttons, not the LEDs. But as I ordered a double set and only used one, there were enough cables for this setup.
However, I had to make a daisy-chained cable myself to feed the +5V from the board to the button LED connectors so I ordered more of the same cables with the female connectors already fitted (the connection is also the same for the joystick supplied) to make it easier for just a few dollars.
Hope that's clear...
The light on the board doesn’t come on when I plug mine in?
Hi, it sounds like the board might be broken. Does Windows not show it at all in the Printers and Devices list? Try a different USB cable to see if that is the issue, and try a button (or briefly shorting), the Mode button (green/red light should alternate to check if the LED is working ok). Probably not much you can do to fix it if it is broken except get in touch with the seller and ask for a replacement. Hope it helps!
Could i hook this up to a samsung galaxy s7 - enough power? and can i map it to that android phone?
Honestly I've no idea, but this is just a generic USB controller so it's possible. Maybe ask on the Samsung forums? Good luck!
Any idea why both my red LEDs are blinking, while plugged in? Nothing is getting recognized either!
Hi, sorry for the slow reply. I didn't experience that issue so I can only guess that the board may be faulty. You might try putting a button across the mode switch and changing the mode - not sure how affective it might be though. Good luck!
A very useful tutorial, I'll be refering to it again when I start my project. The cables from the buttons to the board look quite short, did you have any problems with placing the buttons where you wanted in the cabinet? I know it's easy enough to just extend the cables but it would be nicer if the were a bit longer in the first place.
Cheers Jeff! Great question, yes, the cables supplied with the button/encoder kit are short (about 8 inches), but just about ok for the mini cabinet I made - the encoder sits mounted onto inside of the front piece and central to all the buttons which are within 8 inches from it. It is a consideration though as even a slightly bigger cabinet would necessitate extending at least some of the cables.
If i connect the cables between them and connect just one of the cables at the 5v slot then all the buttons will have the led function?Please answer.
Hi, yes. Use the power plug to the LED connectors on the first button. Then chain these connectors to those on the next, then the next and so on. If you look at this video you can see that's exactly what I did. th-cam.com/video/jVHkaD42C18/w-d-xo.html Cheers!
@@arnoldj.rimmer5116 Thanks man!
Does anyone know how to ad vibrate using this arcade encoder ??
Hello, is it a Honda Grom at the background, isn´t it?
Hi Ladislav! Yes it is, but it's called an MSX here - cheers!
Thank you so much
Are the numbers, Num pad or the number bar
Can you use the ports for fire and fastfire-buttons also for switches?
Hi the unused joystick (on this board) ports register direction changes just like joypad switches. With Joytokey or similar I don't see any reason why you couldn't assign buttons in these ports to anything you want. Very handy too if you want to navigate menus or play with buttons rather than a joystick.
The other 4 ports Mode, Turbo, CLR and Auto don't register as button presses in either Windows controller properties or Joytokey (which supports many more buttons). Mode (unsure what this does but LED changes from red to green), Turbo is autofire, CLR is to clear autofire and Auto seems to be another type of autofire which flashes the red LED. When I get round to my next project I might spend some time on these but to answer your question it appears that these ports cannot be used for simple buttons.
@@arnoldj.rimmer5116 Thank you so much..it is a great help to me!
@@arnoldj.rimmer5116 Uuuhm..last question please...can you connect potentiometers to this usb connector? (Would help me a lot)
@@tve5614 Hi no I don't believe so with this board, which is just simple digital ports. If you want to have a realistic plunger or tilt mechs you should take a look at the virtual pinball forums you'll find lots of help.
Is there a manual? Who knows what TURBO, CLR and AUTO do exactly?
Using two on P.C. The name is the same on both under device manager so the game cannot distinguish the two. When I program one, the second won’t allow it. Any idea around this? Maybe jump the device so it shows are 24 button rather than just 12?
Hi mate, can i ask which game it is which uses so many buttons? I assume it uses the joystick input directly rather than going through a program like joytokey, or is it programming the joytokey software which is the issue? Cheers!
Arnold J. Rimmer I’m playing DCS world and Flight Sim 2020. In DCS , the name of the device is the same. Each encoder runs a 12 button button box. So when one button box is assigned, the other one won’t allow it because the game can’t have the same input number such as one with the same input device. It’s a funny it can’t tell that they are two different devices even though they show up in separate columns.
@@AHmn-jt3yb understood. I can't think what you can do within FS2020 itself, but maybe something here to consider. I used 2 encoders on a PC setup and Windows properties listed both with the same name.
By using joytokey I could assign any button on either controller to send any specific keypress to the program (MAME in this case) - the profile was saved and assigned to the program and (keeping the same encoders in the same boards), it remembered the 2 boards with no issues.
Sorry if that's not too clear (basically assign buttons as keypresses in joytokey and use that to communicate with FS2020), but maybe it'll give you an option to consider - you seem to be an enthusiast who'd spend a few minutes to set it up... Cheers!
Arnold J. Rimmer I found that the MODE button on the encoder chi a few from “ps3/pc” to “android” so that worked. DCS world can’t see two controllers with the same name and same button assignment. Works now though cheers!
@@AHmn-jt3yb Hi thanks for letting me know glad you got it sorted. Cheers!
Hi! Nice video! Is it also possible to use toggle switches to it? And to use more than one board at the same time? :) greetings
Hi yes I've used 2 of these boards together without issue - don't swap USB ports.
@@arnoldj.rimmer5116 sick! Thx for your reply
Is it possible To install 2 board on the same computer ???
Hi yes just the same as using 2 USB input devices like joysticks. You will see them as generic type joysticks in settings/devices. Cheers!
Can this be done with small buttons. I want to make a custom layout game controller, but I only see USB encoders for Arcade Gamepads and not Console-esque controllers.
Hi mate yes this and others like it are ideal for custom designed layouts. It's recognised as a generic USB joystick and, by using a program like joytokey, you can assign any key input to any button. It should also work with any type of digital (on/off) arcade button of any size. Also cheap enough kit to use to prototype your setup with first. I used this for a mini-pinball machine (check my mini-pinball videos - just ignore my erming/ahhing :), so the layout was specific to my requirements. Cheers!
@@arnoldj.rimmer5116 What would you recomend for Gamecube controller.
I want to make a custom GameCube controller for retropie, but it uses 2 analog. Encoders only have one analog.
@@MrSirFluffy Hi mate I have to admit I know nothing about the Gamecube controller, though the idea sounds interesting. If I wanted to investigate it further, I'd try to get a cheap controller to strip down and see what I could do to adapt it. Hope you sort it out ok. Cheers!
if you use microswitch buton (no led) is there a polarity (+ and -) or you can plug them in any sense ?
Hi, yes there is a polarity on the buttons/board, but with such low voltages you won't damage anything if they're the wrong way round...
Hey bud great 👍 video. I built a similar arcade stick with a cheap usb encoder kit. It came with 2 joysticks, 16 buttons, and 2 usb encoder boards. My computer recognizes the buttons and sticks under the device properties, but when I go into joytokey and press a button or move the joysticks nothing happens. When I press a button on my Xbox one controller I can see a yellow highlight on a number. Would you know why joytokey is not recognizing my home made arcade stick?
Hi Arnold..how are you? I got one question - how do you link 2 screens, one for the table and one that show the score( the top screen).
Hi Rogerio, I set up the 2 screen in windows, and in PinballX. Take a look at some other clips. I think I explain how I set the screens up at the beginning of setting up Future Pinball. Cheers!
H Thanks for the video very informative especially for a 55yr old woman. Could the other 4 sockets for the 4 way joystick be used for a trackball? thanks
Hi Gillian. A trackball would need some kind of analogue interface capable of interpreting the variable signals received from it. As it stands, this board only reads digital (on/off, open/closed), when buttons are pressed etc. Trackballs can come with a USB or a PS2 (older type, round mouse/keyboard connections), and can be read as a mouse when attached to a computer. If you're looking at a trackball, look at the interface cable and how it would attached to your hardware to understand what is needed to get it to work. Also have a look at byoac.com forums for more trackball info. Hope it helps!
Hi, Arnold thanks for the reply. I will be 3d printing one that I saw on thingiverse. Here is the link www.thingiverse.com/thing:2021152. Thanks
@@gillianknights6927 Hi Gillian yes I see - the spinners work similarly to a trackballs but in a single plane, but also need an analogue device t interpret the signal, which is what the Arduino in that setup does (but which this can't as we know). It looks like an interesting project! Best of luck with it Gillian!
Thank you for the guide! I also got 2 of these usb controllers from China. Unfortunately I can't find a daisy chain set of the cables to order so I can input all of the LED buttons at the 5V slot. Is there any other way? (Besides asking an electrician maybe to splice and chain the existing ones)
Hi, I made my own using cable and connectors - it's not that difficult, or I've put a link to the type of thing to buy from AliExpress below. You might be able to find these locally. Cheers!
www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002347743178.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.0.0.647e3a58bkFfvg&algo_pvid=88f63025-0185-4aaa-9dbe-2ec5b2077a0c&algo_expid=88f63025-0185-4aaa-9dbe-2ec5b2077a0c-0&btsid=0bb0624416225894079291804edbce&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_,searchweb201603_
@@arnoldj.rimmer5116 Thank you so much! I guess I should order those.
Arnold great video but if you have time and the knowledge could you help? I'm new to these boards and wondered can buttons 1 - 12 etc be configured to match specific keys from a keyboard or If not what keys do they match? Many thanks in advance.
Hi Gary. Look again at the clip at around 16 minutes in.
The board is recognised as a joystick by Windows, but by using a program such as "Joy2Key", the buttons can simulate keypresses in order to work with the various software.
Plan your button layout logically, decide what each button should do in each program, then create a joy2key profile for that software.
I might try to do a more detailed clip for this, but I'm working a long way from home so it might be a while before I get a chance.
Let me know how you get on. Cheers!
@@arnoldj.rimmer5116 Sorry for the delay but Covid and all that. Thank you for the recommendation about the software. Downloaded and set up with my newly set up laptop which is going to run a jukebox (DW jukebox). So my old laptop reinstalled with Windows XP, attached USB joystick controller and then loaded Joy2Key software. Easy to set up and enables me to have 16 allocated button as I have remapped the joystick switches as well. Early tests are promising, just need to run it for a few days but no signs of stutter. Took a bit of time to get it to load automatically on startup but that was more of the dodgy info I was given at the time.
@@Davie7g Di mate I'm glad it's working out for you. Cheers for the update & stay safe!
hi great Video man!!
is there any posibility to assign an axis (not just 0 or 1 input) like for flying helicopters?
Cheers Sarge! There is a way to use Analogue input on these cards, but not straight out of the box. The Mode input switches between Digital & analogue modes, but using Analogue inputs involves removal of some resistors, cutting of PCB tracks and soldering wires onto the required parts. Look here for more info (and instructions). Hope it helps! www.instructables.com/Lets-make-a-game-controller/
@@arnoldj.rimmer5116 okay thank you for the fastt answer!
@@sergeantmars2640 do it dude it's easy and fast and works good (I did a couple last night)
Can you use this for an custom Xbox controller
Hi possibly but I haven't - look on xbox forums for some help. Cheers!
Can i use this on ps4 dragonball fighterz please reply thanks
Hi, it's recognised as a generic USB joystick on a PC - if your PS4 can use other non-PS4 gamepads this should work too. Good for a fightstick project.
@@arnoldj.rimmer5116 thanks for the reply i have a steering wheel it works with the ps4 as a gamepad so this should work
Hi, did you hear any information about any delay in pressing the buttons?
I have seen other "Zero Delay" models, (red PCB), which claim to have better low latency and better performance.
Can you tell me something?
Thanks.
Hi Andy I also understand from research that the more expensive options are supposed to be very low input lag. I can comment that the cheap Chinese PCB I used showed no noticeable delay from pressing the button to the flippers reacting even on this low-end setup. Like anything I'd suggest getting the best you can within your budget or check out the pinball forums for more detailed info.
@@arnoldj.rimmer5116 Thanks, you're very kind.
G'day mate, Its exactly the info I was after. after being unsure about how to go about my led's, you made my next step a breeze.
I will add content to my channel of results, so please check out the simrig im creating from peoples rubbish.
Thanks so much mate. Ill give you creds
Cheers for the feedback I'm glad it helped.
Is this controller compatible with a raspberry Pi emulator?
Hi yes this is just a standard controller similar to a generic joystick should have no issues with a pi.
Hello just wondering do you use visual pinball??
Hi, I do have Virtual Pinball but it's not yet installed on this setup. There are already so many tables to play I'm not sure if I need to install VP as well.
Will this work on cheap china tv box
Hi I haven't tried it, but if your box supports a usb controller for input, this would work the same way. Interesting idea to design a custom controller though... Cheers!
will enter an back work on tv inteface (like a and b button on regular gamepad?
@@kozu7213 Hi, if a normal gamepad works, then this should also. It acts just like any generic usb input device. You might have to check which ports have the buttons attached if you're trying it on a non-windows device like android - I'm not sure tbh... Cheers!
can use for tekken 7 pc?
Hi Syafiq, yes this kit would be suitable for a fight game controller project. I would recommend a more expensive joystick though, as the springs on the joystick in the kit were quite weak. Good luck! Cheers!
Does this work in windows 11?
Yes it works in W11.
@@arnoldj.rimmer5116 thanks for replying
This is a "plug and play"?
Hi yes no software needed just plug it in - it will be recognised as a generic joystick.
@@arnoldj.rimmer5116 ok thanks
Does the encoder get enough energy to work through the USB cable?
or
Are the 5 volt conectors necessary for it to work?
I want to get a kit like this for a raspberry pi arcade bartop.
Hi, the encoder gets enough power through the 5V USB and works with no problems - just like a joypad or joystick.
The 5V connectors on the board are for only powering the LEDs on the buttons if they have them (if buttons don't have LEDs these aren't used, but LEDs look really nice). Cheers!
@@arnoldj.rimmer5116 Thank you :)
Hello, excellent video. Work in a Android Tv root from China? I want play Pinball Arcade
Cheers Claudio it works just like any USB generic digital joypad so it should work with the box, but I'm not sure how it would interface with Pinball Arcade on Android - I use joytokey for the PC version - might want to check if it accepts joystick input mate.
Tq
The joystick is so stupid
Its not analog at all. Its just 1 for fully forward or 0 for idle
There's no in between
Hi. Yes, it's just digital and suitable for retro games which use this kind of input. For analogue input, you should use an Arduino Leonardo, which emulates an analogue controller like the XBox360 controller and is easy to set up with code you can download from arduino fan sites. Cheers!
dude...Arcade cabinet joysticks and pinball machine buttons are digital, they all use switches. Its not a game console.
anybody know how many buttons in total it can support (I heard you can go past 12 if you use a matrix ?)
So would you be able to hook up a potentiometer joy stick to this board or would that require so extra setup?
Hi, this board won't accept analogue input as it stands. There is a modification I've seen online which does allow for it, but I'd just recommend getting a better board - Arduino Leonardo would fit the bill. Cheers.