PSX pad to CD32

[Coolhand]

hello all, just finished my hardware mod to install a new CD32 compatible board into a classic PSX controller shell.  I've documented this here:

http://coolhandgraphics.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/classic-gaming-hardware-mod-001-psx.html

[Ni72ous]

Nice work but it would have been better in a non dualshock pad.

[Coolhand]

everyone has their favourite but lets not turn it into a subjective, endless circular debate on joypads;) I like the dual shock, i think it gets too little respect,  i also like the sega 6 button that i've modified for amiga, but its not presently cd32 compatible.

Anyway the dual shock shell fits this amipad board really well and gives me some more options - the analogue stick areas i've covered over, i'm thinking of using one for a mechanical switch, maybe a selector on the other side.

presently I can select one of the low shoulder buttons to use as 'up' but this isn't that natural feeling, so an additional button would be useful for that.

Also anyone recommend a paint that would be good for this application? something that sticks well to the plastic, preferably an aersol spray that will flex and bit and not crack or chip easily, i need to cover over all that Sony BS.

[Ni72ous]

No i like the dualshock also, what i mean is it would have been better in an original SCPH-1080 playstation pad.

[Coolhand]

Ah, well I like those pads too, but the board wouldn't fit. you'd have to make a different PCB but even with the reduced space in that model it might just all fit.  

I think i'm going to try and put a jamma arcade button in the right analogue stick - it should fit fine diameter wise, but the microswitch assembly will hang out the bottom, and a selector switch in the other one near the dpad.

***edit*** this low profile one might actually fit vertically too.  http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SANWA-OBSF-30-ARCADE-BUTTON-BLACK-NEW-OBSF30-/370584185803?pt=UK_Video_Games_Coin_Operated_MJ&hash=item564889ebcb

[Coolhand]

My arcade button arrived real quick! Infact I ordered two incase I broke the first one:D

In the end I ordered an OBSF24, as it has a reduced barrel diameter, the 30 would probably have been slightly too wide to fit the analogue pit.

I had to bend the contacts but otherwise this fits almost perfectly vertically.

[Coolhand]

not sure if anyones following along, but if you're interested, thats an outstanding fire button! even if it looks a bit weird on there - its easy to reach or you can prop the right side of the pad on your knee or desktop and really hammer it for maximum firepower.  It's also weird having the differing travel distance and minimum required pressure, but I think that can be something you'd get used to.

Anyway, its a bit redundant to have 2 buttons with an identical function right next to each other.

the next phase of this modification is to add a rotary switch, this will allow me to turn certain buttons on or off, or redirect them for 3 different modes, i'm sure you can guess where on the pad this will be installed.

default: 2 fire buttons + all cd32 functions & fully functional dpad (cd32 functions are all working in all modes)

platformer: up on dpad disabled - re-routed to fire button/J1, arcade button exists as sole fire button.  this gives me a row of 3 buttons on the fascia, fire, jump and (if used) J2 - kinda like the old Sega pads.

racing: up and down on dpad disabled, L2 and R2 are always wired to up and down respectively in all modes. should give good results for games that use up and down for gas/brake!

once its all done i'm probably going to spray it all satin white, still interested if anyones got a suggestion for a good paint brand.

btw the attached file shows the wrong switch type - the one i get will be either a 4 pole, 3 way switch or a 3 pole 4 way.  maybe there's another combination I could do with that.

[Coolhand]

oops, there's a really obvious error isn't there - I need a pole to disable a button/direction and another to bridge that connection based on another button press... might have to scale it back to just 2 modes.