rec.autos.simulators

I had a slight problem with my joystick in that moving it to the right
and holding it there caused the wheels on GPL to fluctuate slightly so I
thought this could be a problem with one of the pots. So, after reading
up on how to clean the pots in a joystick, I popped down my local
electronics store and picked up some 'switch cleaning lubricant - cleans
and lubricates switches, contacts and relays.'  Well, after doing the
business on my pots and leaving it for the required amount of time I
plugged my joystick back in ready for some improved racing.

Unfortunately the problem was still there, so I thought well maybe after
a few laps things may improve.  However they got progressively worse and
after a couple of laps the wheels were flailing about so erratically
that it was impossible to drive at all. :-(

I just tried it again 24 hours later and the problem's still there, so
what have I done wrong?  Any advice will be greatly appreciated.
--
Peter Ives

Well,

In my opinion, as and electronic parts professional, your cleaning action
washed away resistance track particles which had come deteched from the
surface, but were still providing contact with the runner. I.e. the pot
might have been dirty, but it needed replacing anyway.

If I may make a suggestion: if practical (i.e. if it fits), replace the pot
with a single turn sealed Cermet resistance layer type. Bourns has them, but
the part number escapes me at the moment...

Jan.
------

Cheers for the info Jan.  I've not heard of Bourns, but my local Maplins
here in the Uk does Cermet typ pots.  I've just checked in their
catalogue.  Problem is they come in various values, which I assume has
something to do with resistance.  Any idea which one's most suitable
from this lot:-

47 Ohms, 100 Ohms, 470 Ohms, 1k, 4k7, 10k, 47k, 100k, 1M

Thanks in advance!
--
Peter Ives

Correct, gameports were originally designed to work with 100K pots. Make
sure you use Linear Taper ones Peter!!

Jan.
------

Cheers for that!  I had better get a new pot quickly as my trusty
standby logic 3 joystick appears to be going the same way, although this
one doesn't use pots, just those slider tracks.  It's also showing the
exact same syptoms.  Must be all those right handers in GPL causing it.
:-(

How about coming up with some circuits that go anti-clockwise for a
change. ;-)
--
Peter Ives

Well, unfortunately Maplins here in the UK didn't have anything suitable
in stock, so I took the troublesome pot completely apart and cleaned the
tracks with some plain cotton wool.  Certainly some of the carbon, since
I had sprayed the pot, seemed to have been smeared all over the place.
However, after cleaning the excess off and putting it back together, the
joystick is working reasonably well.  Not perfect, but better than
before I sprayed it.

One thing I noticed when I went to Maplins was that it may be difficult
to get hold of an exact match of pot, especially the Cermet type.  Does
anyone here in the UK know of someone who supplies this sort of thing?  
--
Peter Ives

Get out your ruler and measure it up ..

then go search for the pot at:
www.digikey.com. I dont think they'll have a problem shipping it
overseas to the UK. I've gotten some great stuff from them and they have
just about every shape and size pot you could imagine.

Matt

I believe 100K is standard for joystick pots.

Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/
Share what you know. Learn what you don't.

Sometimes when cleaning a pot the cleaner will actually create
resistence when it makes a sludge out of the residue from the carbon
contacts.  In this case, if you can open the pot and wipe it clean with
a paper towel and put it back together you problems will be solved.

% I had a slight problem with my joystick in that moving it to the right
% and holding it there caused the wheels on GPL to fluctuate slightly so I
% thought this could be a problem with one of the pots. So, after reading
% up on how to clean the pots in a joystick, I popped down my local
% electronics store and picked up some 'switch cleaning lubricant - cleans
% and lubricates switches, contacts and relays.'  Well, after doing the
% business on my pots and leaving it for the required amount of time I
% plugged my joystick back in ready for some improved racing.

% Unfortunately the problem was still there, so I thought well maybe after
% a few laps things may improve.  However they got progressively worse and
% after a couple of laps the wheels were flailing about so erratically
% that it was impossible to drive at all. :-(

% I just tried it again 24 hours later and the problem's still there, so
% what have I done wrong?  Any advice will be greatly appreciated.
% --
% Peter Ives

--
**************************** Michael E. Carver *************************
     Upside out, or inside down...False alarm the only game in town.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=<[ /./.  [-  < ]>=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Yeah, I did this a few days ago and, as you say, the carbon had smeared
all over the place.  Now I've cleaned it it's almost as good as new.  I
think I'll do this from now on at regular intervals, until I can get
decent cermet pots that is. ;-)
--
Peter Ives