Author Topic: "Mech" Dual flight sticks PS3 controller. (Read 12996 times)

1TONpete · « **on:** June 19, 2011, 07:55:46 PM »

I got any idea while building my ps3 arcade stick. I was going through all the crap I have laying around and I found I have 2 flight sticks. I plugged them both in (usb) and they read great still.
So here's my idea.
Take one stick and wire it to the left side of the controller and take the other and wire it to the right.
Each one reads as an analog x,y and has a dial analog z axis also. 1 stick has a dpad style hat on top, can you say left stick thumb dpad? Each has 3 thumb buttons and a trigger. the stick without the dpad thing has 4 buttons on the side of the base.

1TONpete · « **Reply #1 on:** June 19, 2011, 07:59:02 PM »

This section will be for updates of assembly .
Got some work done. Both analog sticks are wired up. The 1 flight stick is wired up w only some of the dpad left. Need a break plus I think I got a bad pot. The left analog drifts backwards, but I'll check everything over later to be sure. But I'll tell yah, the right stick with the trigger, and the dpad it feels great. the look sensitivity is perfect. Its moves slow towards the center and faster around the outside. I did my first test run on Turok. Things went very well. I am very happy with the way this mod is turning out. and I need to take a pic of some of the stuff I have left over as parts.

This is not a final assembly , this was only a test. Analogs work , button groups work. On to figuring out a base. I might mount everything into a 1/2 ps2 fat case , as it is what I have on hand. One more thought on the ps theme , is I have an extra ps3 fat case I could use as a base maybe.

Cleaned up the wire rats nest a lil. wired the stick w dpad to left hand controls instead of analog for the right and dpad for the left. the comms become a problem when mapping buttons, being the buttons i am using use comm grounds, so dividing them can be tricky. I was 3 buttons short for control so I will add them into the right stick. The left stick maps as fallows. Analogs to left stick. Dpad to thumb stick. L2 to trigger. L3,R3 are mapped to the buttons. One button is open due to comm problem. I might map home button to a button as this has the same comm. L1 will get a tact on right stick.
Right stick will map as so...
Analogs to stick. Trigger to R2. R1 ,[],x get buttons. L1 ,O ,/\ will get tacts. L1 will be a thumb tact and /\,O tacts will be above [],X buttons.
Here's an updated pic of things cleaned up a bit.

I didn't like the trigger on the one stick, so I had these r2/l2 triggers , so I said why not.

1TONpete · « **Reply #2 on:** June 19, 2011, 08:39:04 PM »

I would need to add 2 buttons on the right stick thumb to have full playing control on the sticks. Leaving the 4 buttons on the base of the right stick for start and sel. and 2 open, maybe rf.

Crumbz · « **Reply #3 on:** June 19, 2011, 08:48:45 PM »

Sounds cool man. Cant wait to see what you come up with!

crazy-modder · « **Reply #4 on:** June 19, 2011, 09:30:25 PM »

Dude that would be freakin awesome! i really cant wait to see it, i might just make one for xbox if yours turns out good

1TONpete · « **Reply #5 on:** June 19, 2011, 11:00:58 PM »

sweet thing is the way i'm making my arcade stick the ps3 controller has clips on it for the pin outs so I would just have to make a second set of clips and a new top for my arcade stick base. At least while I'm testing I can just swap in the dual flight stick things. I'll try to post a pic of the controller almost pinned out. bin working on it for a bit. need a break.

Rodent · « **Reply #6 on:** June 20, 2011, 01:35:20 AM »

Wow , thats a impressive mod, cant wait to see the finished product and see how welll it works, looks like you been working hard, them tiny cuts in your Finger....lol OUCH! there the worst....lol

1TONpete · « **Reply #7 on:** June 20, 2011, 06:38:25 AM »

10 bonus points for he who can tell me what the yellow harness came out of?

Thanks guys, I needed to show this idea to someone, and I just hoped people understood how epic this thing is. I got a nick name for it , the "MECH" cause of its MECH warrior style of controls.
I only hope the analogs are 4 pin not 3 pin on the flight sticks. We shall see when I open them up.
Also I wish I could put a micro controller or something inline to do remaps on the fly.

Rodent · « **Reply #8 on:** June 20, 2011, 07:18:01 AM »

orignal XBOX?

1TONpete · « **Reply #9 on:** June 20, 2011, 07:20:41 AM »

+ 10 to Rodent.

Rodent · « **Reply #10 on:** June 20, 2011, 07:28:10 AM »

I guess I know my games systems....lol thanks Denali

hyper999 · « **Reply #11 on:** June 20, 2011, 07:35:22 AM »

interesting choice of wire gauge there...

nEoVaLoR · « **Reply #12 on:** June 20, 2011, 07:56:18 AM »

Quote from: hyper999 on June 20, 2011, 07:35:22 AM

interesting choice of wire gauge there...

VERY interesting... o.O

seriously though, why so big? just personal preference, or is that what you had laying around?

Rodent · « **Reply #13 on:** June 20, 2011, 07:58:44 AM »

He probably used that choice due to the fact he didnt have to change out the connectors on the end of the wire , since hes plugging them in. pretty simple if you ask me, and alot less work to find the connectors, also, time consumming

1TONpete · « **Reply #14 on:** June 20, 2011, 08:58:11 PM »

I got bad news. The first stick got opened up and it has 3 wire Pots. I suppose i could swap the halls/pots , or I could try to get my hands on an older dualshock with 3 wire analogs.

Thinking about this idea has given me an idea for a totally new mod using the parts I would have left over after wards from the flight sticks.
If i take the board w the usb and internalize it inside the ps3 . Then hook up buttons for simple controls like menu navigation and media playback. So my ps3 will have dvd player like controls.

Can I swap in Halls from PS3 analog sticks?

I need the ps3 senors to adapt to this. the sensor it self will drop right in, but conecting it to the mechanics of the stick will be tricky. Thoughts?

Rodent · « **Reply #15 on:** June 21, 2011, 11:45:54 AM »

can you upload a pic of the sensor, personally , to me with my knowledge i dont think it would be that hard, have to see the sensor though

1TONpete · « **Reply #16 on:** June 22, 2011, 08:59:01 AM »

After some thought , I might just build it for the xbox. I know its a cop out, cause its easier to mod to the xbox controller. But I figured I might play online again when MW3 comes out , so I'll have to get an xbox up and running for that anyways as I will not bring my ps3's on psn. I will not agree to their terms. I miss playing against "real" people.
Also this build is all from scrap parts. I went and looked at some of the current flight sticks available and I was very pleased. Some even had a rotational 4th axis on the stick. Very interesting. prices for them ranged from 20- 80 $ US a piece . Here's what I was thinking .
These controllers have so many buttons I could easily just add an analog to 1 of them and have a full featured controller.
30$ right handed only technically. Has dpad built in. I think it has rotational axisis also. RF trigger!

20$ no dpad L/R handed . I have a dpad hat I can put in though.

1TONpete · « **Reply #17 on:** June 22, 2011, 09:25:51 AM »

sorry for the double post but this could be important ...
I found a stick that advertises "Exclusive precision technology: H.E.A.R.T.- HALLEFFECT ACCURATE TECHNOLOGY !"
From company web site.-"H.E.A.R.T. HALLEFFECT ACCURATE TECHNOLOGY™
“H.E.A.R.T. HALLEFFECT ACCURATE TECHNOLOGY™” is the name of the new technology developed by Thrustmaster to reproduce movements made on a product in games. It relies on magnetic – and not mechanical – 3D (HallEffect) sensors, placed in different locations according to the product in question. The precision made possible by the use of this technology is significantly higher than that provided by standard technologies. Another advantage of this system: by eliminating all friction, it guarantees zero mechanical wear, for permanent precision that won’t decrease over time. The level of precision is also enhanced by the absence of any dead zones: even the slightest movement made by the player results in a reaction. Actions in games are therefore more linear, smoother and without any untimely jolts. A patent application has been filed for this technology. "

laxboy · « **Reply #18 on:** June 22, 2011, 11:03:11 AM »

the 4th axis is for rudder control in a flight simulator. so any flight parts in mw3 then id say that could be useful.

1TONpete · « **Reply #19 on:** June 22, 2011, 11:21:35 AM »

If you think about it in a single stick configuration , I could add an analog to the 1 stick and have full controls, might have to add like 2 tacts or something. I could have the analog tact (normally R3 or mele) mapped to (L1) or look down sight/scope. Then have mele (R3) and run(L3) on stick as well as run. Rotation of stick could also be used as head turn left and right, just like analog left and right on the right stick. And throttle could be up and down look. And it call could be used in conjunction with the thumb stick on the joystick.
I have everything I need to build this for the xbox , and I have a wired controller I could try building it on. The pots that are in my flight sticks now will directly solder to the xbox controller board. I think I like the 2 stick configuration anyways because of its similar control type to standard controllers.

1TONpete · « **Reply #20 on:** June 22, 2011, 07:11:40 PM »

here's my lay out. I did a lot of testing on button lay out for the m16 sharpshooter , so I all ready have a good idea what I want. Will I get what I want? probably not. I might be able to come close on the right stick.

1TONpete · « **Reply #21 on:** June 22, 2011, 07:23:48 PM »

edit light blue says r2 its supposed to say L1

1TONpete · « **Reply #22 on:** June 23, 2011, 07:02:22 AM »

I could always mod to a ps2 dual shock. use the converter to usb. they use pots not halls. At least I think they do. Confirm?
I would like to keep this mod on The PS side if I can. I'll let crazy build the xbox version.
I can do this a couple ways, some input would be great guys?
1.PS3 controller V1.... Use the halls from a PS3 controller and modify them to work w the mechanics of what I have now. That means taking apart the analogs and I don't even know if I can attach the proper ends to the halls yet.

2.PS3 controller V2 .... Buy the flight stick w halls installed already and see if they are compatible.
I would only buy 1 flight stick at first so I would add the left analog stick to the flight stick controls. Then maybe in the future upgrade to dual flight sticks.

3.PS2 controller .... Being I all ready need to order a ps2/usb adapter for my 2nd racing wheel set up. I might as well buy a couple of them. Take the pots I have now and just wire them to the analogs of the ps2 controller. Pin out the other buttons. problem people have reported a lil lag in some adapters. Which would be horrible in games like MW3.

4.Xbox 360 controller... the only trouble i see is in the triggers. But I think I got that figured out. The pots that are in what I have now will solder right to the analogs of the xbox controller.

I chose option
5.I picked up an after market ps3 wired controller last night. Its the clear one w blue leds in it. Nice controller. It has regular 3 wire pots in it. Its going to take some work pinning out the dpad and [],o,/\,x, sel home and start. The analogs and the r/l buttons are all separate break out boards . Which is nice cause I'll have some breakout analogs to use on something.
Here's a shot of the controller. from gamestop site. I bought mine from kmart.

Product Description
"The AFTERGLOW family of controllers breaks new ground in form, features, and radiant aesthetics, delivering gamers an experience sure to have them glowing. The appearance of the AFTERGLOW controllers is defined by a clear polycarbonate body plastic, within which colored circuit boards and components reside. Amplifying the theme, multitudes of LEDs within the controllers glow in hues matching the circuit board color. The result is a truly vibrant glow in both light and dark gaming situations. The AFTERGLOW for the PS3 features L2 and R2 triggers modeled upon PDP's popular REAL TRIGGERS add-ons for PS3 controllers. It also provides a refined analog stick location similar to the Xbox 360 style analog stick placement for FPS advantage with an ergonomically modeled grip built for comfort and competition. Each AFTERGLOW controller allows the player to adjust the LED settings to: on, off, or vibration (activates when controller rumble motors spin). "

1TONpete · « **Reply #23 on:** June 24, 2011, 06:25:46 AM »

edit: Found all TP points in minutes. easy as pie. "I like pie."
As soon as I'm awake enough to solder I'm going to start working on this.
I will make a high res. tp point guide for this controller in case anyone wants to do this mod or others with this controller.

1TONpete · « **Reply #24 on:** June 24, 2011, 07:50:43 AM »

3 comms instead of 4. comm1 for sel start home and analogs and l3/r3 . instead of home on its own comm. comm 2 right hand controls [],o,x,/\ r1/r2 . comm 3 is for left hand controls dpad and l1/l2.

Rodent · « **Reply #25 on:** June 24, 2011, 08:38:11 PM »

Good Job!!!!! , feel relieved now? that your getting somewhere with your project? Nice work too

1TONpete · « **Reply #26 on:** June 25, 2011, 06:02:10 AM »

please take public in ps3 section. Thank you Rodent for your support. I have a a tough time in my personal life lately and this build made me feel on top of my game again.

Rodent · « **Reply #27 on:** June 25, 2011, 06:41:16 AM »

Glad to hear that Denali. this didnt look like a simple project ,I am glad you got it going and Hope things are good for you. us modders gotta stick together,

crazy-modders sig says it all live in your world mod in ours

couildnt of said it anybetter .....lol

1TONpete · « **Reply #28 on:** June 25, 2011, 07:34:49 AM »

more good news, had something messed up w the mechanics of the left stick, fixed and now no drift on left stick. So onward I go.

News:

Author Topic: "Mech" Dual flight sticks PS3 controller. (Read 12996 times)