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Convert old arcade steering wheel for PC?
racketboy - Jun 25, 2004
  racketboy Jun 25, 2004
I was just wondering how easy/cheap it would be to take a steering wheel from an old arcade cabinet (like Outrun) and use it to build a custom controller for a MAME machine or something.

Never built controls before, so I don't know many specifics.

 it290 Jun 25, 2004
Hmm.. it would probably be fairly difficult. Besides, why would you want to gut an original Out Run? Just get a PC wheel instead.

 racketboy Jun 25, 2004
I wouldn't gut one -- but if I found one on eBay

Thought it would be a novelty thing

 Mask of Destiny Jun 25, 2004
There are generally two methods of getting data from a wheel type device. One is to attach a potentiometer to the wheel and then the computer reads the resistance to figure out how far the wheel has been turned. The second uses a rotary encoder similar to those found in a mouse. I'm not really sure which an arcade steering wheel would use, but if it's the former, then it's pretty easy to attach to a PC as long as it has a gameport. Gameport joysticks work on the same principle so as long as the total resistance of the potentiometer is about the same as a standard joystick, you would just have to attach it to the right pins of your gameport.

If it uses a rotary encoder (which is more likely) you'd have to either write a custom driver, or get one of those programmable USB interface chips.

 racketboy Jun 25, 2004
how much money (besides the wheel) are we talking?

 mal Jun 25, 2004
People who gut or convert or in any other way destroy equipment from classic arcade games are truly evil. :devil

How you could even consider doing it is beyond me. mg:

 Mask of Destiny Jun 25, 2004
Happ Controls sells a Trackball/Steering wheel USB interface board for $41.35. I assume it should work with most steering wheels that use a rotary encoder.

http://www.happcontrols.com/trackballs/56110000.ht...

 racketboy Jun 25, 2004

  
	
	

		
		

			Originally posted by mal@Jun 26, 2004 @ 02:42 AM



 People who gut or convert or in any other way destroy equipment from classic arcade games are truly evil. :devil



How you could even consider doing it is beyond me. mg:


I personally would gut one -- you know me

But I've seen Outrun wheels on eBay before -- supposed to be used as replacement parts.