about ddr | forums | buy ddr | radio | song lists | FAQs | machine locations

 Forums FAQForums FAQ   SearchSearch   MemberlistMemberlist   UsergroupsUsergroups   RegisterRegister   ProfileProfile   Login to check your private messagesLogin to check your private messages   LoginLogin 

how do ddr sensors work?
 
This topic is locked you cannot edit posts or make replies    DDR Freak Forum Index -> Bemani Controllers
View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
Giddykong
Basic Member
Basic Member


Joined: 08 Jul 2008
0. PostPosted: Thu Jul 10, 2008 12:13 am    Post subject: how do ddr sensors work? Reply with quote
well i plan on buying a blueshark diy kit and making my own pad using the xbox 360 ddr universe pad as it just uses straight usb. anyways i cant seem to find any good pics of the cables of the sensors, do they just use 2 cables or what?
Back to top
View users profile Send private message
Szalkow
Trick Member
Trick Member


Joined: 09 May 2008
1. PostPosted: Thu Jul 10, 2008 4:28 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Arcade sensors generally come in one of two styles. They are usually either contact switches or pressure diodes.

Contact switches have wired contacts (screws, metal plates, etc) which are connected to form a circuit when the pad is pressed down. These are typically what people use when making homebuilt pads, as they are cheap and easy to maintain.

Pressure diodes have pressure-sensitive components that cause an electric current when compressed. This is what makes up arcade-style sensors, such as TapeSwitch. These cost more and if they break, you must order replacements.

BlueSharks include arcade-style sensors. It uses eight small strips which go under the center of each panel. It's pretty easy to set up, each sensor has one insulated wire bundle (looks like one wire) coming out of one end. Just tape it down and run the wires wherever you need to.



However, if you're already dissecting a Universe pad, why not use the sensors in that? They can probably be modified for a hard pad configuration.
Back to top
View users profile Send private message
dothedre
Basic Member
Basic Member


Joined: 19 Jul 2005
2. PostPosted: Fri Jul 11, 2008 7:58 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Where can you buy tapeswitches for cheaper than mymybox.com or tapeswitch.com?

I read a in their FAQ at mymybox.com that the "switches" they used, in their first 30 pads they shipped, were not good and had bad response. Are the tapeswitch.com products good or are there third party suppliers that offer them at a cheaper price?
Back to top
View users profile Send private message
Szalkow
Trick Member
Trick Member


Joined: 09 May 2008
3. PostPosted: Sat Jul 12, 2008 12:15 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
dothedre wrote:
Where can you buy tapeswitches for cheaper than mymybox.com or tapeswitch.com?

I read a in their FAQ at mymybox.com that the "switches" they used, in their first 30 pads they shipped, were not good and had bad response. Are the tapeswitch.com products good or are there third party suppliers that offer them at a cheaper price?

Unfortunately, you really can't. Some equipment and safety supply retailers carry ribbon switches and pressure pads, but it's fairly costly (probably $150-$300 for what you'd need in a pad) and most of them will not work well as DDR pads because of their design and sensitivity. And if they break or wear down (given how much you'll be using them) there is no real way to adjust sensitivity or repair them.

If you insist on Tapeswitch sensors, Tapeswitch (121-151 series are best) and MyMyBox are probably the most affordable and you can be surer of it working in a pad.

I would highly recommend just making your own contact-based switches. Screws, matrix, or panel-bottom are all viable and sensitive for use in a DDR pad. And it's much cheaper ($5 for screws, $5 worth of wire, and scraps of sheetmetal/aluminum).
Back to top
View users profile Send private message
stuffmonger
Trick Member
Trick Member


Joined: 08 May 2008
4. PostPosted: Sat Jul 12, 2008 2:26 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
I'd go with the uniarcade switches instead of those tapeswitches. Much cheaper, and known to be durable.
Back to top
View users profile Send private message
Szalkow
Trick Member
Trick Member


Joined: 09 May 2008
5. PostPosted: Sat Jul 12, 2008 2:47 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
stuffmonger wrote:
I'd go with the uniarcade switches instead of those tapeswitches. Much cheaper, and known to be durable.

I would agree, Uniarcade's sensors are much more affordable and known to be dependable. Be wary, however, as Uniarcade's website is no longer online, meaning you'll having to work with third party sellers, not all of whom are dependable.

Edit: I was wrong, the site was temporarily down or I couldn't access it for some reason. It still works: http://www.uniarcade.com/dance_machine_parts/dance_machine_parts.htm

Last edited by Szalkow on Sun Jul 13, 2008 4:59 am, edited 1 time in total
Back to top
View users profile Send private message
stuffmonger
Trick Member
Trick Member


Joined: 08 May 2008
6. PostPosted: Sat Jul 12, 2008 7:35 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Szalkow wrote:
stuffmonger wrote:
I'd go with the uniarcade switches instead of those tapeswitches. Much cheaper, and known to be durable.

I would agree, Uniarcade's sensors are much more affordable and known to be dependable. Be wary, however, as Uniarcade's website is no longer online, meaning you'll having to work with third party sellers, not all of whom are dependable.


What are you talking about? http://www.uniarcade.com/dance_machine_parts/dance_machine_parts.htm
Back to top
View users profile Send private message
Szalkow
Trick Member
Trick Member


Joined: 09 May 2008
7. PostPosted: Sun Jul 13, 2008 4:57 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
stuffmonger wrote:
Szalkow wrote:
stuffmonger wrote:
I'd go with the uniarcade switches instead of those tapeswitches. Much cheaper, and known to be durable.

I would agree, Uniarcade's sensors are much more affordable and known to be dependable. Be wary, however, as Uniarcade's website is no longer online, meaning you'll having to work with third party sellers, not all of whom are dependable.


What are you talking about? http://www.uniarcade.com/dance_machine_parts/dance_machine_parts.htm

It hasn't worked the last two days for me, I have no idea why E19.gif
Back to top
View users profile Send private message
Giddykong
Basic Member
Basic Member


Joined: 08 Jul 2008
8. PostPosted: Sun Jul 13, 2008 8:57 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
thanks for replys everyone

based on your advice i might just screw making a pad and buy a nexen buy i also had another idea i could buy a blueshark diy kit assemble the sensors arrows blank plates ect on a pice of ply wood then place that pad inside a steel frame incl bar to make it seem more like an arcade pad. what do u lot think?

also im from australia so buying a blueshark is out of the question as they wont ship here
Back to top
View users profile Send private message
Display posts from previous:   
This topic is locked you cannot edit posts or make replies    DDR Freak Forum Index -> Bemani Controllers All times are GMT - 8 Hours
Page 1 of 1

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum


Powered by phpBB 2 © 2001, 2002 phpBB Group