DIY Handbrake

[RO55]

Hey i will soon be making a cockpit, so i was wanting a handbrake to go with it. I currently have a logitech DFP. Does anyone have some tips on making a brake to use with the DFP and GT4.
Cheers
Ross

 

[Alfaholic]

I saw a seat somewhere with a working handbrake, but I can't find it again. The maker had used a cheap PS2 style controller, wired up the handbrake button of the controller to a microswitch, attached the microswitch to one end of a handbrake, attached the handbrake to his cockpit chair on a rotating joint and added a spring for resistance and return pressure.

He then of course had his wheel, which would require no modifications, attached to the USB port as normal.

Basically, he pulls the handbrake up and this closes the microswitch, which has the same effect as pressing the handbrake button on the modified controller would have. He lets go of the handbrake, the switch is open again, the handbrake is no longer applied in the game, and the spring returns the actual handbrake lever to its original rest point.

It may have been on GT Planet, or on another forum, but I can't find it.

 

[RO55]

OK cheers, i have got my spare controler and ripped it to bits so i could access the PCB board. I am now just confused about where i should solder, is it actuly onto the front of the board, if you push a button the surface the button hits on those funny shaped contacts. Or is it on the are where the company has soldered on the back? Sorry for the agro.
Cheers Ross

 

[Alfaholic]

Um, I can't help you with that

EDIT: Oh wait, just read it again. Um, if you can unsolder and release the original button, then perhaps you could do that and solder the microswitch points to those terminals. Otherwise, if you solder across the back at the connection points, perhaps the microswitch will give a closed circuit leading the controller to believing that the button is pressed.

Perhaps....

Actually best advice I can give is seek some expert help before blowing your Playstation up.

 

[RO55]

Ok cheers for that alfaholic, i have just taken a old steering wheel to peices and found that instead of the little pads that PCBs have it has microswitches for all of the buttons which makes my job easier lol.

 

[Alfaholic]

Excellent result!

Let us know how well it works when you've got it running

 

[RO55]

Is this what you were talking about:
https://www.gtplanet.net/forum/showpost.php?p=1630543&postcount=626
I like the microswitch idea, im also going to make a stick shifter for the left hand side like a UK car once i master the electronics on the handbrake. 👍

 

[Alfaholic]

Yeah that was the one. Well found. I tried my darndest, but I guess my searching skills are rubbish!

 

[cgranju]

Anyone got a link and/or info on hacking into the PCB on a PS2 controller to port out to microswitches &/or to arcade type buttons (which, well, are microswitches also, right?) ?

Besides adding a handbrake to the rig(s) I'm building, I also want to locate the basic game 'select', 'reset' & directional keys to the cabinet face of the arcade cabinets I'm using.

Is there a particular type of PSx controller that is easier to tap into? I guess I can tap into the PCB on either side of the press pad points & wire to a microswitch, yes?

thanks
-c

 

[Japspecvr6]

Handbrakes....!!! you guys are nuts.....lol....why not

 

[mike.]

Could any1 throw together a wiring diagram?

I've just taken apart a controller and i could set it up so that the handbrake just pushes down on the O button but i don't no where to attach extra wires to run to a micro switch.

Mike

 

[Nicecar]

Ok, im making a handbrake for mine, all i'm using is the switch that comes with the handbrake and a relay. when the handbrake is lifted, the relay triggers, connecting the two terminals of the (o) button together, applying the handbrake.

 

[mike.]

OK, I've taken apart the controller, what do i solder the wires from the micro switch 2?

 

[Nicecar]

you see were the button went? there should be 2 circle terminals, if you're doing what i think, then it will connect the two terminals? That will press the (o) button.

 

[mike.]

.....

 

[Nicecar]

To be honest, im not entirely sure, but when i come to make mine, i'll show you.

 

[mike.]

sweet mate.

 

[Oner]

Hopefully this will help out a little (since I can't really tell because of the quality of the picture). But I could have them backwards as the area I THINK is the correct one could be for the shoulder buttons.

Edit:
Actually I think those are for the shoulder buttons, so mentally switch the positions in the diagram I provided. Also here is a thread I made up a while back about someone on Youtube who has a nice setup for a handbrake https://www.gtplanet.net/forum/showthread.php?t=102139 (go to his main page to see the finished product). I already tried contacting him but no responses yet.

 

[mike.]

" most likely area for your connections" yeah your right thats R2

So you think my best shot is "possible are to make your connections"
If i get a micro switch i can just touch the ends on different connections until i get it right then solder in place. (as for common ground I'm lost)


But thanks for the help
I've made a simple "handbrake" and now i just have to wire it up.

 

[Oner]

Look at the controller closely and see if any copper leads go to each of the O,X,[] & /\ if they SEPARATELY go anywhere then it is NOT a common ground. Vice Versa if they are obviously connected then it is a common ground. But in your case it really doesn't matter as you just want to use a single button do an action. So just use the 2 areas that correspond to the O button.

I myself would like utilize the actual button for my G25 with a cap, resistor, with extended wiring to reach to the position I need it or whatever...but I will probably just rig something up using a standard extra sixAxis for quick use for now somehow. I just wish you could select the use of the motion of the sixAxis for something/anything......Basically set it as a trigger for a button press, as if you could set it in the options as you would for remapping buttons. That would be the easiest quick way to do it.

Imagine, just attach/build an e-brake and strap a controller to it then set it in the controller options. No wires, no soldering, no buttons & no violation of warranty! Hhhmmmm I really need to look into this, maybe I can can just sacrifice one controller and not the warranty on my G25.

 

[mike.]

Cool man,
I'm using a ps2 controller and a ps2 to ps3 controller adaptor, this way i can wreck all my unused ps2 controllers.
I've bought a micro switch now and done a little research and i think i can do it.
cheers for the help mate

 

[mike.]

Would it be easier to just reasign the handbrake to L2 and wire to that.

 

[Oner]

Most definitely yes as you can't really mess it up since there are only 2 choices (L1/L2) and just 3 connections it seems from your picture (L1+L2 & Ground), coincidently I use a shoulder button (R2) for my e-brake configuration when I am using a controller. In all honesty that is where I would use it since it is undoubtedly the easiest place to solder (right where the 3 gray wires are soldered), you could even follow the wires to the main PCB board and do it there. I would.

 

[mike.]

you could even follow the wires to the main PCB board and do it there. I would.

I see what you mean,

that = my life easier.

Cheers bud

(even has L1 and ground written on it)

 

[Nicecar]

I though o was your handbrake button? i guess that will be easier if it works

My one is on the way, finally finished the cockpit frame

 

[Oner]

O is the default if I remember correctly, but can be changed in the controller configuration. I have done this since GT1 as I have always preferred R2 as my e-brake. Here is my secret setup I have never told anyone

L1 = Shift down
R1 = Shift up
L2 = Look back
R2 = E-Brake

Left Analog for steering

/\ = Change View or Select for GTHD & GT5P JPDemo
[] = Gas
X = Brake
O = Reverse

The last three are basically for quick usage if the brake & gas to build RPMs for an AWD launch & the same for reverse if needed after some accident.

 

[mike.]

Nicecar have you got any photos of your cockpit

Oner thats some crazy set up.

i use
R2 gas
L2 brake
[] gear down
/\ gear up
O handbrake

(also i know E-brake stands for handbrake or vicer vercer but why E-brake.)

 

[deadlyz33]

I've been wanting to make a handbrake for my g25 setup. The only thing is the game I want it for is gt5. Anyone wire a handbrake to a ps3 yet? Heres my approach...

Imagine a home made handbrake lever, out of whatever material, fixed to the side of my seat. Near the bottom of the handbrake, before the hinge, there would be a mildly heavy spring to pull the lever back down as well as a braking cable. The sheath/cover of the cable would be connected securely to the piece of wood/metal to which the handbrake is built onto, and the inner thin cable will be attached to the bottom of the handbrake, providing a small pull on the cable. The other end of the cable would be attached to a braket bolted (removable) to the button panel on the g25 shifter part. The cable, which is being pulled about an inch when handbrake is applied, will be applied to a sort of sea-saw rig with the oppisite end directly on the handbrake button of the g25 (whatever button I want it to be, was thinking the top left black button.) Now this might sound complicated just by reading without a diagram, but wilth the tools and materials I have available I find it to be a decently simple and effective way to implement handbrake into ps3 gt5.
Any thoughts?

 

[Nicecar]

What i will be doing is using a real handbrake, with switch on it. When the handbrake is lifted (on) it will trigger a relay, switching on the (o) button.

For my gear shifter, i'll be making a computer program, so basicly when you change up a gear, it presses [R2] and change down is [L2], but if say, i miss a gear, hit 5th instead of 3rd for example, it will press r2 more times.

And i dont have any pics of my cockpit, it isnt even finished yet, but i have the frame securely bolted together.

I'll post pics in my thread when i get them.

 

[jpboinas]

heyz, take a look here

https://www.gtplanet.net/forum/showthread.php?t=113081

Cheers