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Re: Replacement Membranes for Creativision controllers

Posted: Thu Aug 04, 2022 12:56 pm
by cheshirenoir
Well, the PCBs are here.
Haven't had a chance to solder them up yet, but they're looking pretty sweet. The keyboard section one will definitely need another spin. The joystick part looks OK?
Guess we'll find out this weekend :-D
IMG20220804204540.jpg
Keyboard section. The button spacing is off and I need some additional cutouts under there.
IMG20220804204602.jpg
Joystick part with the contact section in place.
IMG20220804204616.jpg
Joystick part with the contact section flipped over so you can see it.

I'm feeling hopeful :-) Initially I'll only solder up some of the buttons, not all of them.

John

Re: Replacement Membranes for Creativision controllers

Posted: Thu Aug 04, 2022 1:09 pm
by Scouter3d
Wow! Looking forward!

Re: Replacement Membranes for Creativision controllers

Posted: Fri Aug 05, 2022 3:20 am
by Mamejay
That look so amazing!! Let us know the results of your tests. Really curious how the joystick fairs to using a PCB.
Also did you make the side trigger buttons as well?

Re: Replacement Membranes for Creativision controllers

Posted: Fri Aug 05, 2022 2:48 pm
by Mobsie
Yes so Amazing.

Re: Replacement Membranes for Creativision controllers

Posted: Sat Aug 06, 2022 8:16 am
by cheshirenoir
Just had a bit of a setback, everyone :-(
Spent over 7 hours working on this today. Couldn't get the right diodes so kludged in some much bigger diodes. Finally got it into a state where I was ready to plug it in and... The Wizzard isn't working. I turn it on, but get no picture or sound. (Maybe the PSU has finally died?)
This is before I even got a chance to plug the controller.

Working on this has highlighted several issues.
  • The PCB for the joystick lower is almost perfect. I might move the connectors for the fire buttons here.
  • The PCB for the fire buttons isn't long enough. There's interference between the buttons and where the PCB is soldered in.
  • The PCB for the joystick upper needs a slight tweak. The solder pad needs moving a few mm closer to the edge
  • The PCB for the keypad area needs a LOT of work. Currently there are several issues with it.
Problems with the keypad PCB are:
  • I need to add some holes for screws and plastic pins to poke through
  • The button spacing is just wrong
  • With the diodes on the bottom, even teeny tiny ones, it's going to be too thick
  • With the buttons on top, even low profile SMD buttons, there is no way the overlays are going to work. Maybe we move the diodes to the top and just accept we can' use overlays? This would free up some limitations and allow a much cleaner board.
  • The connector to go to the next board is both too low AND backwards
Of course the list is completely irrelevant if I can't get the Wizzard working :-/
I need to take a break from this project. I'll take a closer look at everything tomorrow.
IMG20220806115444.jpg
IMG20220806161310.jpg
John

Re: Replacement Membranes for Creativision controllers

Posted: Sat Aug 06, 2022 9:04 am
by Scouter3d
Oh no! Good Luck with the Creativision repair!
cheers, TOM:0)

Re: Replacement Membranes for Creativision controllers

Posted: Sun Aug 07, 2022 4:21 am
by Mamejay
I have a question about the diodes. If this is a straight replacement for the membrane why are diodes required? I would have thought its just needs the buttons

Re: Replacement Membranes for Creativision controllers

Posted: Sun Aug 07, 2022 11:12 am
by cheshirenoir
@Mamejay, it's not a straight membrane replacement. The joystick part is. The keyboard part isn't. I haven't worked out how we could do the keyboard part as a straight up

BTW an update. I got the Wizzard working again and...
The Joystick part works perfectly! Wooooot!

Unfortunately there's still a problem with the keyboard section but I'm not giving up there yet. It may be something dumb. I need to check my schematics again. I might just fake up a basic controller on breadboard so I can sanity check where I've gone wrong.

John

Re: Replacement Membranes for Creativision controllers

Posted: Sun Aug 07, 2022 12:20 pm
by Mamejay
Oh man that is excellent news!! Keep us posted. Want to place a PCB order soon and I know at least 3 people that need one or 2 sets each once they are ready

Re: Replacement Membranes for Creativision controllers

Posted: Sun Aug 07, 2022 12:58 pm
by cheshirenoir
I'd definitely be holding off for now. There's at least one respin I need to do on all four pieces. Unfortunately it takes time and money to develop these things.

I'm most concerned about the lower keyboard piece. I'm just not sure why it didn't work.

John