CH Pedal trouble

[Scotch]

First time I've used them with this laptop. Spiking all over, not staying centered, not keeping calibration.
Going to try a powered USB hub first.


Any recommendation on Powered USB hubs?

[Ack-Ack]

I've always used either Belkin or Kensington powered hubs and have yet to have any issues with them.  You might also want to check the power settings on the laptop, sometimes that screws with CH sticks.

ack-ack

[Scotch]

Maybe I should have posted this in tech support instead.

I have all of my usb ports set not to power off. I've tried switching between "High Performance" and "Balanced" in my power management plan.
They wander off center, and also just plain spike in both in AH and CH Control Manager. Wondering if it's a power issue or some other issue with the pedals. They're out of warranty now. Could I strip the wires at the base and use a multi-meter to test how much power they're getting? Could it be the pots? I've never dealt with pedal trouble before. But this is aggravating. At the very least I'm flying with constant parasitic drag. When it chooses to be drastic, it's killing my ACM lol.

Thanks for the suggestions AckAck. Those are both decent companies. I'll just see what's at the store this weekend.

[Bizman]

As you said AckAck's suggestions are decent companies, that's always a good starting point and mostly a sign of sufficient yet cost effective quality.

As for Power Management, I'd choose "Best Performance" for gaming. I'd also look at the Advanced settings. This little piece of advice was something I found while checking my own settings for translation: http://www.techsupportalert.com/content/how-fix-annoying-windows-usb-problem.htm.

For testing, use an inexpensive USB extension cord which you can splice and strip as much as you wish without sacrificing your precious pedals. Avoid shortcuts, though, they may ruin both your computer and the controller!

Last but not least, don't tinker before you've tried with the powered hub. If that fixes your problem, that's it. There's not too much juice in USB ports anyway, especially not in laptops, so the culprit is most likely there. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USB#Power

[The Fugitive]

As your a returning player the pedals may have been just sitting for an extended period of time. If so the pots my be dirty. Crap builds up on the wiper arm and the contacts and as they are not used it can create a weak spot where the connection is crappy/flaky. Get a can of spray cleaner like CRC Electronics spray disconnect the pedals, open the bottom of the pedal stand and spray the heck out of the pots while working them back a forth. Do this a few times to try and break up any crap that is inside the pots. Then test it again. I also use a belkin powered USB port.  

[Drano]

As your a returning player the pedals may have been just sitting for an extended period of time. If so the pots my be dirty. Crap builds up on the wiper arm and the contacts and as they are not used it can create a weak spot where the connection is crappy/flaky. Get a can of spray cleaner like CRC Electronics spray disconnect the pedals, open the bottom of the pedal stand and spray the heck out of the pots while working them back a forth. Do this a few times to try and break up any crap that is inside the pots. Then test it again. I also use a belkin powered USB port.  

This would be my guess. I've had CH gear for years and  years. Only thing that's ever failed is the pots and most times a good cleaning will get you a few thousand more miles down the road.  Might be a bit of a MFP to the less mechanically inclined but it's do-able with no more tools than a small needle nose plier, small straight and a #1 and #2 Phillips. And that can of electronic cleaner. Make sure whatever you get is safe for plastics and doesn't contain lubricant. Lubricant will attract more dust than a little bit and you'll be right back doing this.

I want to say I remember a guide with lots of pics showing the repair of the wires for the toe brakes on the CH pedals. Might help. I'll look and post the link if I can find it.

[Drano]

Here's one that might help :  http://www.svaf.net/index.php/forum/5-tech-talk/9479-assembly-of-the-ch-pedals-pictures

[Drano]

And another :

[url]http://www.cupery.ne...P/ProPedals.pdf/[url]

I see there used to be a video of this whole process but it's been taken down. Good luck.

[Flench]

I can plug mine into any USB port and never had any trouble . You sure it's not something else ?

[Scotch]

I won't rule out dirty pots, but the pedals spent the last 2-3years in their original box in a storage unit. Not really exposed to everyday dirt. Though I won't rule out moisture.
 I'll start a powered usb hub because I am flying with a new laptop and that seems like the most common culprit. If that doesn't work, then I'll open them up and give them a cleaning (I'll probably do that anyway).

 Thanks for posting those instructions. I'll check them out.

[Scotch]

Still spiking. Tearing them open tomorrow. See what happens! 

[MrRiplEy[H]]

If it's dirty pots they can be fixed pretty easy most of the times. Just spray contact cleaner spray to the root of the pot and cycle repeatedly until it works.

[Bruv119]

Still spiking. Tearing them open tomorrow. See what happens! 

be careful they have some flimsy wires that resemble an Australian internet connection.   

[715]

be careful they have some flimsy wires that resemble an Australian internet connection.   

I reiterate that comment.  They have very thin wires that can get loose from clips and then get caught up in the moving pedal mechanics and break.  I had to repair my CH pedals because of that.

[Drano]

They're apparently flimsy by design. I remember the video I mentioned in my post that has been taken down was a guide made specifically to repair this problem.