Replacing microstick double pot - latest intelligence please
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There is someone on Facebook “Fighter Sim Store” that posted in March 2019 they are going to come out with a replacement that includes the board and CNC’ed hat.
As well as other “Cougar Salvation” parts including radio switch, antenna and range dials.
The Facebook site is:
https://www.facebook.com/Fighter-Sim-Store-253573885350911/And this the picture that the Fighter Sim Facebook site posted:
I replaced a microstick in 2012 unsoldering the existing faulty stick from the double sided board. I had obtained a replacement from Guillemot through Canada ordering a "6000198, description “Double Pot 252A104B60NB (Microstick)” from [email protected]. It was a difficult repair and I made a mess of it damaging the PCB but managed to get it working. So getting a replacement with a board would be a great solution.
The datasheet of the now obsolete microstick part CTS series 252, part 252A104B60NB (Joystick, 2 - Axis Analog (Resistive) Output JOYSTICK 100K OHM 2 AXIS TH with centre switch) is available from:
https://www.digikey.com/products/en?keywords=252A104B60NB
I think the last available CTS microstick model with the matching specifications and button is this one but it has a different pin spacing that doesn’t match the existing PCB:
http://www.integrated-circuit.com/products-detail/254SA104B60B/EIS-1110850.html
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If you send Red Dog a PM he may have some spare PCB’s and microsticks for sale. It will require a bit of soldering but it’s perfectly doable. I would advise getting the PCB too as it’s easy to damage the old one when you try and unsolder the old microstick.
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Thommo, Rich_EXF, thanks guys so much for such outstandingly helpful replies! I did PM Red Dog and he confirmed that the supply of double-pots-with-pcb is no more, so I guess I’ll have to see if TM spares can supply one - Scubapics reports he got one recently - and un/resolder it to the existing board. There’s a useful Youtube I’ve seen by someone who also made a bit of a mess of it and was generous enough to share his mistakes, so hopefully I can avoid them…. He also suggested that taking lots and lots of photos as you go along was a smart move when it comes to putting it back together.
BTW I’ll keep an eye on that Facebook page Thommo. Many thanks for that.
Very best wishes
Alan -
There’s a useful Youtube I’ve seen by someone who also made a bit of a mess of it
Hi. I think that is my video. Yes, I made a mess of it not correctly unsoldering the inner four pins and damaged the board. But managed to get it working.
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Great video, thanks mate!
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Also see this one from Red Dog, soldering his last microstick to a PCB, before he sent it to me (god bless him!)
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soldering one is easy. The hard part is unsoldering the faulty one when you need to salvage the PCB
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@Red:
soldering one is easy. The hard part is unsoldering the faulty one when you need to salvage the PCB
No problem. I’ll send you the faulty one back and you can video yourself unsoldering it from the PCB
/me runs
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@Red:
soldering one is easy. The hard part is unsoldering the faulty one when you need to salvage the PCB
This is correct. When i did this a few weeks ago, i couldn’t get the old microstick to free from the PCB despite me removing all the solder. In the end i had to use a junior hacksaw to separate the two. That damaged a couple of PCB tracks slightly and i ended up having to solder a couple of wires on to repair the damaged connections when i mounted the new microstick.
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Fighter Sim Store on Facebook has just posted that they are selling a “Very limited TM microstick supply” for “$199/pcs”
“Product details
Very limited TM microstick supply
$199/pcs
1. TT in advance
2. NCNR (non-cancel, non-return)
3. shipping cost not included” -
@Red:
soldering one is easy. The hard part is unsoldering the faulty one when you need to salvage the PCB
Not so hard. Use a solder sucker (desoldering pump) to remove the bulk of the solder from each PCB hole. The pin will usually remain stuck to one side of the hole, pop it free with your thumbnail. Once all pins move freely, gently work the old stick out. When the PCB is empty, touch each hole with the iron tip to open it up, use the solder sucker again if needed. Make sure the replacement is fully and evenly seated before soldering it in.
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Fighter Sim Store on Facebook has just posted that they are selling a “Very limited TM microstick supply” for “$199/pcs”
“Product details
Very limited TM microstick supply
$199/pcs
1. TT in advance
2. NCNR (non-cancel, non-return)
3. shipping cost not included”A real bargain ROTFL.
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Sure… lemme grab my wallet
NON-return for 200bucks , Hell, I’ll order dosen . // like from full metal jacket… "Why don’t come over into my house and f** my sister ? "
For <500-600$ I can get whole Warthog/TQS.Seems greed is inevitable…, f*****s. I hope they just go down with it.
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I sent them a PM asking for the real price…Guess the answer…muahahahaha!
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Says
Product Details
Very limited TM microstick supply
US$299/pcs
1. TT in advance
2. NCNR (non-cancel, non-return)
3. Shipping cost not includedLMAO:der:
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Says
Product Details
Very limited TM microstick supply
US$299/pcs
1. TT in advance
2. NCNR (non-cancel, non-return)
3. Shipping cost not includedLMAO:der:
All he has forgotten is “MoneyGram or Western Union only”. Robbing bastard.
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Hello everyone,
Please see this link, you may have what you need !!!
LINK: https://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/apem-inc/500-526/679-2289-ND/2063280
Take Care !!!malpaso
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Hello everyone,
Please see this link, you may have what you need !!!
LINK: https://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/apem-inc/500-526/679-2289-ND/2063280
Take Care !!!malpaso
Do hope you have a bit knowledge to know the difference between analog and digital switches.
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@Red:
soldering one is easy. The hard part is unsoldering the faulty one when you need to salvage the PCB
Hello Red Dog,
I soldered all the PCBs just one night.
But still, a headache :) -
All he has forgotten is “MoneyGram or Western Union only”. Robbing bastard.
No!
I prefer cryptocurrency.