My homebuilt pad (so far)

[cph05a]

My pad is 40 x 34 x 7/8 inches.
I have more pics of the sensors and wireing, that haven't been uploaded yet.
Any comments/suggestions would be appriciated. I plan on working some more on it this week.

[shurf]

Sorry I don't have any suggestions, but I'd love to see the final product. I have a spare pad lying around so I might do the same thing.

[DefaultGen]

Coolness. You should put something over that Gamestop decal though, it ruins the pad
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[cph05a]

Not a bad idea, actually

[ceraf]

dang...that's pretty cool


although some time down the road, you'll have to take the foil tape off and put sheet metal.

or be like me and use the flat sides of cookie cans =)

[cph05a]

I had considered that. I ended up putting a few pieces of leftover poster board behind the foil tape and it works pretty well. What is the advantage of sheet metal vs foil tape?

[ceraf]

in my experience, foil tape is easy to use....just cut to whatever size you want, peel off the backing, and stick. After about 2-3 weeks of use, you'll probably see some gray powdery stuff coming off the foil, until it doesn't conduct electricity as well as it should.

sheet metal should last a lot longer (some people who bought metal pads with foil contacts usually do a sheet metal mod). You'll need some separate adhesive (spray glue) for it to stick; i was lazy and used duct tape =)

If you have any old computer cases or cans to spare and some metal cutting tools, go for it. otherwise, foil will just requre frequent replacing and maintenance.

[cph05a]

cool, I have both the spray glue and a computer case. If I have problems, I may end up doing that.

[Freaksta]

Quick question, Does it matter what end on the sensor the ground and the control go on or is it the same both ways. Thanks for reading this message, Im planing on doing this with my softpad cause the idiots at the factory put the up arrow sensor half way in the middle of the entire pad -.-

EDIT: Also do you just have to tape the wire to the sensor. Thanks
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Greatness beyond great!

[cph05a]

[Marq(uistadorous)]

Great job! That's a great cheap design
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[Freaksta]

Is the foam good to hold the arrow up or do you recommend a different object like weather stripping. Please upload and post the pictures of the wiring and everything, Thank you for your time on reading this.
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Greatness beyond great!

[cph05a]

I've never tried weather stripping. The foam was cheap and it works pretty well. If you do end up trying the other, let me know how it works.

Most of the wiring was covered by the foam in my pictures so I drew in a diagram on one of them. I hope it helps.

The blue wires on here are grounded. The red ones go to the other leads. (I don't know the technical term for them.)

[Freaksta]

So the wiring is like the piso pad that theres 2 seprate things then the arrow(Or in his case shoe) With foil tape finishes the connection?
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Greatness beyond great!

[cph05a]

Yeah. Ceraf recomended sheet metal on the underside of the arrows instead of foil tape. It is supposed to improve duribility. The sensors would still be done the same. Just something to consider.

[cph05a]

Im finished with all the buttons. All I have left to do is make it look nice.

[Freaksta]

Looks pretty spiffy...
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Greatness beyond great!