Since I have not yet found a decent schematic of the analog joysticks provided with the kit, here’s what we came up with.
Details:
The potentiometers (variable resistors) in the joystick are the 90 degree rotation type (full resistance range in 90 degrees), but that’s not required - it’s just a function of the range of the joystick motion. ANY 100k potentiometer is fine.
The thumbwheel (not a wheel at all, but a very tiny joystick itself) is just another analog input (I think there’s also a fourth one in the spec), but through clever selection of resistor values, more than one direction can be sensed at a time (i.e., two switches closed)
Of the four digital inputs, the “left thumb switch” is the one all the way on the left, sort of on the side of the stick - not immediately to the left of the thumbwheel.
The 15 pin male sub-D connector is generally not available at Radio Shack - they carry only the high-density version (often used for SVGA Video). Digi-Key, Mouser and others sell these.
a quick question, i see tha the up down left right wires are merged into 3 wires, i’m kind of confused how we actually do that. right now we only need to connect the y axis values to the serial cable.
For anyone just casually glancing at this schemo, Pin #1 is 5 volts coming into the joystick and Pin #4 is ground. The pots and switches with resistors are connected to the analog inputs on the OI and the switches without resistors are connected to the digital inputs on the OI.
Reference this schemo with the OI manual joystick connector lists.
Just to clarify, on the old CH Products Flightstick there was a small “throttle” wheel to the left of the base of the joystick. The “Wheel” name is simply legacy nomenclature for what is now the “POV hat” on the 2004+ kit joysticks.
Hi all,
Here is an updated drawing; the original has X and Y reversed. Once I figure out how to edit that post, I’ll update the drawing there and delete this one. Or something.
Don
