My Cougar Microstick Replacement
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I tried to replace a microstick on COUGAR but could not unsolder it from PCB.
So I tried with universal PCB and seems it might work.
I will share my work in case of there was someone who also found it hard for him to unsolder original microstick from PCB.Bend pins of spare 252A104B60NB this way.
Cut universal PCB to 25.0mm x 28.0mm
It is 2.54mm pitch universal PCB.
Wire them(VCC and GND might be opposite).
I haven’t wired them yet so its still my guess. I will solder them tomorrow or later.
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In case of you could not get 252A104B60NB, a joystick parts for Nintendo Gamecube might be able to implement on COUGAR I guess(but you can’t use CURSOR ENABLE switch).
You also might need Debolestis’s F-16 Cursor Switch(I have one and it did not fit cougar joystick, Seems it fits modern joystick parts)
http://www.shapeways.com/product/ARG8VEB84/f16-cursor-knob?optionId=59097861
http://www.shapeways.com/product/8JLEGTYWZ/f16-cursor-knob-spider-web?optionId=59090191 -
Yes - I believe the Nitendo stick does have a down/depress function - at least, types like these do -
Note the slight difference in the base - that’s where the depress switch pins are. I think these will also fit in a similar manner to your solution. What I’m not sure of is if they have a similar output to the OEM Mousestick.
Stevie
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HIgh temperature solder is used to attach the microstick pot to the PCB (and on all the other Cougar PCB soldered connections AFAIK). Needs a special soldering iron to work it.
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Implementing modern joystick parts with switch would be hard work.
If you rotate the joystick 90 deg it may be fit to the Cougar but I’m not sure.
There is a possibility that you cannot close the cougar throttle body.
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Guys It worked!
I miss alignmented joystick so X-Y changed place to each other but it works fine. -
Nice, then the screen on the first post is correct or are x & y sapped?
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White wire is X and black is Y, its correct.
Bending pins are also correct too.I miss alignmented rotation of joystick against universal PCB at the picture.
Y-Axis must align to the 28.0mm side of the PCB
Also Cut here.
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HIgh temperature solder is used to attach the microstick pot to the PCB (and on all the other Cougar PCB soldered connections AFAIK). Needs a special soldering iron to work it.
that is incorrect. I soldered / unsoldered enough of them with a very basic solder iron and basic solder. The solder TM used is pretty standard.
It’s difficult to unsolder, not because of the hi temp solder used, but because there are 14 solder points to unsolder at the same time.You need to unsolder each point and pump the solder out while it’s out. then you can rather easily unsolder the microstick from it’s PCB, place the new one and resolder it.
It’s no rocket science. all you need is this:
I still have about 50 new microstick PCB, but i ran out of microstick assembly.
I’m considering to source 50 pots and offer them here. but considering demand became quite low compared to what it was, i’m not sure it’s worth itby the way chihirobelmo, nice outside the box thinking
Red Dog
Reality if for ppl who can't handle simulation -
@Red:
that is incorrect. I soldered / unsoldered enough of them with a very basic solder iron and basic solder. The solder TM used is pretty standard.
It’s difficult to unsolder, not because of the hi temp solder used, but because there are 13 solder points to unsolder at the same time.You need to unsolder each point and pump the solder out while it’s out. then you can rather easily unsolder the microstick from it’s PCB, place the new one and resolder it.
It’s no rocket science. all you need is this:
http://i2.cdscdn.com/pdt2/8/1/2/1/300x300/auc3800946238812/rw/vacuum-pompe-a-dessouder-pour-travaux-de-soudure.jpgI still have about 50 new microstick PCB, but i ran out of microstick assembly.
I’m considering to source 50 pots and offer them here. but considering demand became quite low compared to what it was, i’m not sure it’s worth itby the way chihirobelmo, nice outside the box thinking
Can’t recommend one of those tools enough!
Harry (Formerly Amraam at Frugals etc.)
(I'm not currently active with ViperDrivers, but these guys are the best BMS school out there!)
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Guess I was misinformed. First time I was ever wrong, AFAIK.
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No idea when China moved to lead free solder but if used on cougar there are plenty of too cool hobby soldering irons in homes still no doubt.
Size and shape of tip can make harder or easier. Pumps are good but sometimes braid works better. Too much heat or contact time will lift track off board. -
hehe, i’d mention braid, but i didn’t know how to name it in english. I’ll go to sleep tonight a bit less stupid , thanks mate
First time I was ever wrong
Wow, Really? I guess we’d all whish we could say that !!
don’t feel bad, welcome to the normality
There’s nothing wrong with being wrong. imho The bad from it is to be unable to accept we’re wrong, and it’s even harder on a forum media
cheersRed Dog
Reality if for ppl who can't handle simulation -
@Red:
I still have about 50 new microstick PCB, but i ran out of microstick assembly.
I’m considering to source 50 pots and offer them here. but considering demand became quite low compared to what it was, i’m not sure it’s worth itIf you’re talking about plug and play replacement for micro stick pots then sign me up for a couple.
I have no soldering tools or experience but I am able to take the throttle apart and replace something simple. When my micro stick started spiking I ended up buying a cheapish second hand throttle (that had other issues) just so I could swap out the microsticks lol
And I don’t know what I’m gonna do if that one fails so if I can acquire some plug and play spares at a fair price: count me in!
P.s. Same thing goes for Antenna and Range rotaries lol
Of course I understand that it doesn’t make sense to do if I’m the only one.
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Guess I’m the only one lol
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If I were to replace my Cougar TQS thumb switch, I’d go with a high end part rather than an Xbox game pad part.
This is what I’d use: (has the right impedance and push switch)
http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/cts-electrocomponents/252A104B60NB/252A104B60NB-ND/303393http://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/CTS-Electronic-Components/252A104B60NB/?qs=hbgUSdfWRJUGSHnySsQhPQ%3D%3D
… But they are “obsolete”. So the challenge is finding an equivalent.when it comes to soldering or unsoldering, a hot iron (high wattage) with a clean narrow tip is best. The longer you hold an iron on a trace or component, the more likely it will be damaged. Only a few seconds at a time should be enough.
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Actually, I’d REALLY like to replace the mouse stick with the pointing stick from a computer keyboard…I had a line on buying these direct once, but I’ve waited too long and now it’s seems they’ve gone OOP too. So I’m going to have to look through the thrift shops and canni a keyboard sometime.
Stevie
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@Red:
that is incorrect. I soldered / unsoldered enough of them with a very basic solder iron and basic solder. The solder TM used is pretty standard.
It’s difficult to unsolder, not because of the hi temp solder used, but because there are 14 solder points to unsolder at the same time.You need to unsolder each point and pump the solder out while it’s out. then you can rather easily unsolder the microstick from it’s PCB, place the new one and resolder it.
It’s no rocket science. all you need is this:
http://i2.cdscdn.com/pdt2/8/1/2/1/300x300/auc3800946238812/rw/vacuum-pompe-a-dessouder-pour-travaux-de-soudure.jpgI still have about 50 new microstick PCB, but i ran out of microstick assembly.
I’m considering to source 50 pots and offer them here. but considering demand became quite low compared to what it was, i’m not sure it’s worth itby the way chihirobelmo, nice outside the box thinking
Hi Red Dog,
Do you sell one of them ?
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I would be interested in buying one PCB, too
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I’m in for 2 sets with pots.
Greetings Martin
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