Custom DIY Usb Transmitter

[BrianG]

Originally Posted by brushlessboy16

Here is a picture of Yours truly and Mike D (eovnu87435ds) before a Match at the FIRST robotics philadelphia regional competition..
http://www.flickr.com/photos/georgem...7615846271258/

Which one of you is the girl?

Anyway, I've been wanting to do something like this for a while. I primarily like driving games, so I figure it would take less room than my Logitech MOMO and help he improve my pistol grip controller driving skill. But, if I was going to do it, I'd want to change the pots to rotary encoders - pots wear out too fast. Speaking of which (and slightly off topic), when are the higher end radios gonna start coming out with encoder-based controls instead of crappy pots?

[brushlessboy16]

Originally Posted by BrianG

Which one of you is the girl?

Anyway, I've been wanting to do something like this for a while. I primarily like driving games, so I figure it would take less room than my Logitech MOMO and help he improve my pistol grip controller driving skill. But, if I was going to do it, I'd want to change the pots to rotary encoders - pots wear out too fast. Speaking of which (and slightly off topic), when are the higher end radios gonna start coming out with encoder-based controls instead of crappy pots?

the same time they come with built in usb interfaces...

UPDATE got the original pots from the joystick into the Transmitter- way better resolution.. i only wired them wrong about 12 times.

Here it is.

New Pots


Old pot and trigger mechanism housing


New pot installed on housing



Stock steering wheel assembly


New pot fitted and glued.




Minor modding was needed to adapt the plastic components to the new Pots- all things that can be done with a sharp exacto and a couple dril bits. Hotglue really helped out providing a good adhesion but removable if necessary

[_paralyzed_]

That impresses the hell out of me Ben. Now that I've seen it I would be willing to try it but before I would have been apprehensive. Cool shit, stick with it you're going to have a bright future.

[brushlessboy16]

Originally Posted by _paralyzed_

That impresses the hell out of me Ben. Now that I've seen it I would be willing to try it but before I would have been apprehensive. Cool shit, stick with it you're going to have a bright future.

Thanks harold, hows the PIF maxx going?

Hooray for faulty Logitech parts making a kick ass usb transmitter

[Modding_out]

ohhhh, ok. now that I see were your going with this, I have a much more clear mental picture.....I think even I could do this.
The way I under stood it you were converting your transmitter to talk to a usb mounted wireless mouse receiver, as I have a wireless mouse by Lodgetec it's what I immediately thought of. I had forgotten they even made corded mice these days
On the other hand what you basically did, was stuff the X & Y joystick pots along with there respectable electronics into the transmitter to serve as ch 1. & ch 2. (correct?) You then will close up the transmitter, with its new usb cord hanging out, the computer will recognize it as the joystick as if nothing had ever happened(right?) While you practice your driving skills with a properly shaped controller

I like it If I may make a suggestion, when you reassemble, install the battery tray and run some dead batteries in it so it will have the proper weight balance .