help with building a custom controller

[louddifference]

so im buying a new hotas and i also want to build a custom controller with maybe 5 momentary switches.

 

like these:

 

and also some buttons.

 

what kind of controller will i need to buy? also what software would be best to set it up?

ive heard you can do it with an arduino but im not sure how to do that.

 

i want to make a smaller version of one of these but just switches and buttons

 

any help would be awesome 

[thekeemo]

what will these be connected to?

[louddifference]

what will these be connected to?

my computer. hopefully through usb

[thekeemo]

my computer. hopefully through usb

and what will they control?

[Krzyimprt]

so im buying a new hotas and i also want to build a custom controller with maybe 5 momentary switches.

Seems pretty complex. I don't see how you could use momentary switches because they're either on or off to complete a circuit. The ones on fan controllers increase and decrease the voltage.

[louddifference]

and what will they control?

i would like to bind it to be my number pad keys so i can easily bind in games

[louddifference]

Seems pretty complex. I don't see how you could use momentary switches because they're either on or off to complete a circuit. The ones on fan controllers increase and decrease the voltage.

i dont mean a fan controller i mean to have this sitting on my desk and each switch is a keybind for games.

[thekeemo]

i would like to bind it to be my number pad keys so i can easily bind in games

is that even possible..

[louddifference]

is that even possible..

thats why im here

[thekeemo]

thats why im here

[W-L]

thats why im here

 

I know it's possible to build a switch box with momentary switches and have it interface to the computer via Arduino with some programming but that's where my knowledge ends, you'll need to know how to program the input and have it go via the USB or serial. Only thing that seems iffy is how the computer would read the input device as a command like on a keyboard.

[louddifference]

I know it's possible to build a switch box with momentary switches and have it interface to the computer via Arduino with some programming but that's where my knowledge ends, you'll need to know how to program the input and have it go via the USB or serial. Only thing that seems iffy is how the computer would read the input device as a command like on a keyboard.

ive found a pulse generator. it looks like its easy to set up and will do exactly what i want

[W-L]

ive found a pulse generator. it looks like its easy to set up and will do exactly what i want

 

Just curious how's a pulse generator going to interface with the computer?

 

From looking it's used to test electrical components.

[louddifference]

Just curious how's a pulse generator going to interface with the computer?

 

From looking it's used to test electrical components.

via usb. here the link.

 

http://www.desktopaviator.com/Products/Model_2120/index.htm

 

hoping its still available since the video i found it from is from 2009

 

im going to have to use toggles but its not a problem

[W-L]

via usb. here the link.

 

http://www.desktopaviator.com/Products/Model_2120/index.htm

 

hoping its still available since the video i found it from is from 2009

 

im going to have to use toggles but its not a problem

 

Ah ok, it's an interface board that connects the buttons via USB, and they show how they interface it with windows, looks promising. I sure there are other sellers out there that also make interface modules like this, I would say try Amazon or Ebay first.

[louddifference]

Ah ok, it's an interface board that connects the buttons via USB, and they show how they interface it with windows, looks promising. I sure there are other sellers out there that also make interface modules like this, I would say try Amazon or Ebay first.

i couldnt find any on ebay. might check amazon but i have my doubts it will be there.

 

thanks

[W-L]

i couldnt find any on ebay. might check amazon but i have my doubts it will be there.

 

thanks

 

Hmm I would think there would be more of theses out there but the ones I'm finding are are for custom arcades setups to run on PC.

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/PC-PS3-USB-ARCADE-CONTROLLER-INTERFACE-FOR-1-JOYSTICK-AND-12-BUTTONS-/271385985449?pt=UK_Video_Games_Coin_Operated_MJ&hash=item3f2fdd81a9

[Potalien]

When you get around to making it, could you please do a post on how you did it? I'd love to setup something similar for myself.

[Grrizz]

If you don't mind doing a bit of programming these are the Arduino libraries: http://arduino.cc/en/Reference/MouseKeyboard but note they only work on the Leonardo, Micro, or Due however there are custom firmwares for the UART to USB chip that are supposed to be able to get it working on things like the Uno: http://hackaday.com/2012/06/29/turning-an-arduino-into-a-usb-keyboard/ though I've never tried that before (the 32U4 chips are just too convenient even if they cost a little more).

[louddifference]

When you get around to making it, could you please do a post on how you did it? I'd love to setup something similar for myself.

yes i was planning on doing so. i may order the controller on the weekend. there are a few i have to choose between.

 

Hmm I would think there would be more of theses out there but the ones I'm finding are are for custom arcades setups to run on PC.

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/PC-PS3-USB-ARCADE-CONTROLLER-INTERFACE-FOR-1-JOYSTICK-AND-12-BUTTONS-/271385985449?pt=UK_Video_Games_Coin_Operated_MJ&hash=item3f2fdd81a9

ill take a look at that one. thanks. 

 

i may want to get one with more connections because im planning to add a modular interface on the side so i could add another panel without buying another controller.