Problem with HRAP1, help/ideas appreciated

themachinist · Post by **themachinist** » Fri Feb 29, 2008 5:28 am

I just recently bought a used hrap1 and am running into a problem. It is constantly stuck in the "up" position.

What I've tried:
I have un-plugged and replugged the controller multiple times on 1P, 2P and tried multiple different games all to no avail, still stuck on "up". I've also taken it almost completely apart and cleaned it. I've taken apart the joystick assembly so that it is now only the pcb+microswitch part. I also cleaned and examined that but the microswitch appears to be depressed. There doesn't seem to be a way to open up the microswitch housing to check for conductive debris or anything like that that could be closing the loop.

Has anyone ran into a similar problem, know what's wrong with it, or know of a way to fix it? Thanks.

ReKleSS · Post by **ReKleSS** » Fri Feb 29, 2008 5:44 am

Just to be clear... you've confirmed that it's the microswitch board? The input goes back to normal if you unplug it?

If it is, I would make sure there's no crap floating around or bridging the tracks, but it sounds like you've already done it. You could try to replace the problem switch itself, or just grab a new PCB. Looking at the PCB, it seems like the switch could be levered open somehow. No guarantee it will go back together again afterwards.

themachinist · Post by **themachinist** » Fri Feb 29, 2008 6:20 am

Yeah, during my testing I've also plugged in a regular ps2 controller just to be sure it wasn't something else like my ps2 being borked. I guess it's either one or both the microswitchs and pcb, not really sure how to pinpoint it.

Damocles · Post by **Damocles** » Fri Feb 29, 2008 2:03 pm

JLF, right? If so you should be able to gently pry the cover off individual micros. The spring could have become unfastened or any number of things. Is there still a clicking sound when you depress the switch? If so then it's probably the board.

themachinist · Post by **themachinist** » Sat Mar 01, 2008 3:47 am

Yeah there is still clicking. I guess I'd need a new PCB, or just get a new joystick altogether (LS-32-01

).

themachinist · Post by **themachinist** » Thu Mar 06, 2008 8:38 am

Ok so I think I've narrowed it down to the PSX pcb that's inside the Hrap.
I actually have an old PSX controller lying around and I'm considering resoldering/wiring everything to do.
I got a question for anyone whos done this before, this psx controller pcb i have, the contacts are like ... not metal looking. more of a black surface that probably will not stick to solder. How do I get the wires securely connected to the contact points

?

rantak · Post by **rantak** » Thu Mar 06, 2008 8:41 am

Scrap the black stuff off with some tool/knife. There are copper surfaces under those. Some psx pcb's also have these small (1,5mm wide) round clear metal contacts that are near the black contacts you can also use.

Gwyrgyn Blood · Post by **Gwyrgyn Blood** » Thu Mar 06, 2008 2:32 pm

Make sure you know for sure which contact point goes where first. If you don't know, take a picture of the PCB.

themachinist · Post by **themachinist** » Fri Mar 07, 2008 8:52 am

Gwyrgyn Blood wrote:Make sure you know for sure which contact point goes where first. If you don't know, take a picture of the PCB.

You mean like where X, O, square, etc are?

There seems to be two points for each button. Is that what you mean?

cody · Post by **cody** » Fri Mar 07, 2008 3:22 pm

Yeah, that's what he means. You dont want to solder half of the buttons to the ground side of the controller contacts, for instance. . .

Get a multimeter & figure out which of the two contacts is ground. Solder to the other one. This is especially necessary since the pcb on the stick itself probably uses a common ground.