Simple Analog to Digital Joystick Conversion

Intro: Simple Analog to Digital Joystick Conversion

This instructable will show you how to convert an analog (PS2 type) joystick and adapt it for use as a digital joystick without a PIC or any complex electronics.

STEP 1: Materials Needed:

-Analog  joystick – I got  mine from an old PS2 controller, or you can buy them.

-Sharp hobby knife

-(4) 150K resistors

-Magnifying glasses

STEP 2: Background:

                Analog joysticks control 2 potentiometers, typically ~10K, one for each plane of movement.  The output voltage in each plane will therefore vary with the exact position of the stick.  We want to change this so that each of the 4 positions (UP, DOWN, RIGHT, LEFT) will just give a logical HIGH.  This can be accomplished with the use of a PIC and corresponding code, but all you’ll need for this instructable is a knife!

STEP 3: Dismanteling the Joystick

Dismantle the joystick by pulling off the cap, and carefully removing the 2 pots by carefully depressing the tabs along their sides.

STEP 4: Observing POT Structure

Pop out the wiper for each pot. Do this by carefully bringing the 2 little plastic tabs on the front together.  Flip the pots over and observe the black conducting material and the brown insulation.

STEP 5: Remove Conducting Material

Scrape away the conducting material in the Noon position; from about 11:58 to 12:02 as shown.

STEP 6: Replace Wiper

Replace the wiper; make sure the wiper is pointing to the Noon position.

STEP 7: Replace POTS

Reassemble the pots onto the joystick body; hot glue if broke tabs on side of pots.

STEP 8: Wire It Up!

Wiring it up.  Note difference from typical analog use; instead of voltage applied across the outer pins, it is applied to the center pin.

Comments

[shahrie]

i'm making a flight stick based on ps3 sixaxis controller. trying to use an analog joystick for L1L2R1R2 to save space. but resulted the 4 button always pressed. this tutorial saved the day. no resistor needed. just scratch the top middle conductor about 1mm wide and everything works. thanks alot.

[dazzzzleart]

Does GND have to be linked, I didn't succeed, can you help me draw a wiring diagram? In addition, it is possible to do without a resistor??

[dazzzzleart]

Is it grounded in all 4 directions?

[BrekM]

Or just use the same four resistors without needing to wreck the joystick :D https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1W26b14W-Gw

[robthelucky]

For those of you who are searching - the creator of this video updated it and removed the link posted above. You can find the new video right here:
I wish you luck!

[jhoffnun]

Your solution is better/simpler. Can no longer view the video however; do yo have another link for the same technique?

[MissNewtype]

I'm curious to this as well. Is there a mirror for the vid?

[aljaba18]

Link broken... :(

[bharathram21391]

Thanks a milion for this instructable! Finally I was able make my RetroPie handheld project (a long-time dream of mine) with an analog joystick using this tutorial. I am literally shedding tears of joy!

[MissNewtype]

I cannot get this to activate gamepad buttons. Any tips?

[MissNewtype]

Perhaps I can use diodes so it acts as an on off signal.

[MissNewtype]

I'm soldered directly to their traces.

[MissNewtype]

How would one solder this up to the a b x y buttons on a gamepad?

[Gainsongames]

I want to remove the joystick completely and mod in a new d-pad.
Can I simply hardwire from the joystick tabs to d-pad buttons or do I need these resistors in place?

[patomarin]

did you find something about how to achieve that?

[RenatoB16]

Good morning, you ask I did the next thing I picked up a joystick wanted to change the analogical by potentiometers have the board of analog I cut the wire from the analog board and called directly on the motherboard where will the next most wires called everything right 4 Potentiometer more as I turn it works more normal when almento potentiometer it is giving kinda buggy changing it does not increase as I ordered it increases tremendous know tell me you can be? the code of the analog and 103 I put potentiometer of B10k from already thank those comments to help, thank you

[garrettg7]

I picked up an old Logitech Wing-man Extreme at a Good Will for $3, thing is I want to convert it to USB by changing the POTs to digital and doing away with the game port. If I did this for the rudder axes (twisting the joystick) and the throttle control on the base, (a pivoting plastic ring connecting to a pot), would this solve my issue? and if so would I need to program software for proper intergration or could I possibly use drivers from a digital joystick and roll with it?

[ciaranh]

Sorry but can anyone explain how to hook this up to a motor

[stephen09]

Awesome tutorial. This is precisely what I was searching for.

[superspudz2000]

it dosent tell you how to hook it up to a standard controller. which is what we all came here to see. the d-pad on a standard controller only connects 2 contact points together for each direction.

What are the resistors for? and why do ii need to supply voltage?

how do you simply connect 2 points together?