arcade stick mod help

[Immryr]

so, the buttons on my hori ex2 are starting to go and I'm going to switch them out. the only modification work I've done before is front-lighting a Gameboy advance, which was very simple, so I don't really have a clue about these things. I've done some reading around and so I know these sticks are not the easiest to modify, but I think even if I end up getting another stick somewhere down the line it's worthwhile spending £20 on a set of new buttons to make this one work.

anyway, the main question I have is, will something like the seimitsu ps-14 kn fit into the case - depth wise? or am I better off going with the ps-15s? I much prefer the look of the 14 kns, but if installing is a nightmare and they function the same, then I will probably opt for the 15s.

also, on an even more rudimentary level, what type of solder should I be using for a job like this?

thanks

[Stompp]

Not sure if you've opened it and taken a look on the inside. If not, here's a peek:



The EX2 has all buttons soldered directly on small PCB's. I had the same issue with a few of the buttons giving up. If memory serves me the buttons aren't 30 mm but 28 mm which means you won't be able to switch them for neither the PS-14's nor the PS-15's (better check though, I might be wrong). Also, the buttons have tiny pins instead of spades for connectors

Apart from that, the soldering in itself is quite simple

[Immryr]

yeah i have had a look inside and feel like even i could probably do the soldering work. i did know that the metal tabs would have to be removed and the holes slightly widened, but i was assuming this wouldn't be too hard just with a file?

[Stompp]

yeah i have had a look inside and feel like even i could probably do the soldering work. i did know that the metal tabs would have to be removed and the holes slightly widened, but i was assuming this wouldn't be too hard just with a file?

Yeah, just cut/file down the connectors til they fit. Double check the diameter of the buttons before you order them Seimitsus. I'm pretty sure they're not 30 mm (though I'd be happy being wrong in this case ).

[TransatlanticFoe]

It's not a nice case to mod. It's very shallow so make sure the stick will fit. An LS-32 doesn't. Buttons are also a wee bit thinner but the case is metal so you'll need something capable of filing it down to fit normal 30 mm ones in. I gave up in the end because it would have taken a new dremel bit and a lot of grinding.

On the plus side, the soldering doesn't look too hard.

[RaidenViper]

Hori Ex2 is a real pain in the ass stick to mod. kinda like the Sega Agetec stick. you have to grind the metal plate to fit normal buttons. if you have the right tools, go for it.

http://pineconeattack.com/2008/12/07/ho ... 0-version/ here's a nice guide that I followed when I modified mine.

Good luck!

[Immryr]

thanks guys.

I'm not actually planning on swapping out the stick, so I don't need to worry about any grinding or drilling of the bottom plate. the hori stick isn't perfect but it's not that bad either, I guess I could always change out the micro switches and maybe the spring for a slight upgrade.

raidenviper: I'm guessing the obsf-30 buttons are about the same depth as the seimitsus? which buttons did you use, and did you have any problems with the depth of them in the shallow case?

[TransatlanticFoe]

The stick is actually okay, yeah. It was the horrible buttons that drove me to my failed mod attempt! I was going to use Sanwa OBSF-30 buttons and I think I worked out they had enough clearance. You might want to do away with that little PCB and just wire up to the ribbon though, there isn't much depth to work with and it looks like the PCB could short on the metal base easily if you wire the buttons up to it. Definitely don't do the weird solder directly to the PCB mess that Hori did with the stock buttons though!

[brokenhalo]

Not sure how long you've had this stick, but the main pcbs are notorious for crapping out in some of the earlier batches of this stick. Mine died in under a year. If you've been using this stick for a while you should be fine in that regard.

[Immryr]

I've had it about a year and I bought it second hand, so I reckon I should be fine on that front. as to shorting out the pcb on the metal base surely I could just put some kind of insulating material onto the base?

[brokenhalo]

I've had it about a year and I bought it second hand, so I reckon I should be fine on that front. as to shorting out the pcb on the metal base surely I could just put some kind of insulating material onto the base?

easiest thing is to wrap some electrical tape around the pcb.

[Evilmaxwar]

Just saying but maybe a bit of contact cleaner and/or reflowing the solder could make the buttons work well again?