Aces High Bulletin Board
General Forums => Aces High General Discussion => Topic started by: Lord ReDhAwK on August 29, 2006, 12:31:32 PM
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Salute all,
I have flown with my "very sexy" Force FX for about the past 8 or 10 years and have never wanted another stick. Still flys and looks as good as the day I got it. However, I just moved to Tennessee from WV and I cannot find the power cord to my Force FX!
I have looked everywhere and have driven my wife insane :) Question for the community..anybody have a spare power cord for the Force FX (maybe have an old one yourself that you dont use anymore?) Not looking for a handout. I will pay good money for it!
If nobody has a power cord, maybe you can translate these specs that CH sent me (I've been trying to get one through them..but no longer have them at CH)...
"I am sorry, we no longer have in stock or sell the power supply for the Force FX joystick; however, I can give you the specifications. The Force FX uses a plug-in Class 2 Transformer with an input of AC 120V 60Hz 396mA and an output of DC 20V 1500mA."
Now then, I looked on ebay and could not find anything that matched these criteria. Maybe someone here can direct me to a place that would have it.
Anyways, sorry to ramble. Just want my stick back :( All help appreciated.
ReDhAwK
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tried radio shack for a suitable replacement?
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I used to have a one. Ill look for it but... if I do have it it will prolly take a while of digin through boxes of cords.
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RedHawk....Radio Shack has many sizes and specs for that powersupply.
Take those specs with ya to Radio Shack I'm certain they'll have a replacement.
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Wonderful gents. I appreciate it. I will go to RadioShack right now and see. Geeb, I appreciate you sir. I will post soon as I get back.
ReDhAwK
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Well, Radioshack is a no-go. They have transformers in 18v and 22v. However, no 20v :( They said that it seems that transformer was specifically made by the company for that specific product. Of course, CandH no longer supports or carries it per previous post.
Re-did a search on e-bay. No Force FX Joysticks or power supply. Still hoping for the magic lightning strike here :)
ReDhAwK
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If you're looking for a pre-packaged plug, they might not have it. Perhaps look for the variable voltage adapters? They have a tire-iron head on one end with varying sizes of adapter plugs, and a switch on the wall plug-box that lets you set your desired voltage. I had one of these about a decade ago before losing it. It was a nice tool.
I don't know if they have one that goes up to 20V but I'm sure they must.
If they don't have the pre-packaged one, a variable one might do the same job -- the Radio Shack guy might just be looking in too narrow an area to solve the problem.
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Rgr Krusty,
I will be going into town tonight where the big one is (yep, Im rural where I am) :) Go to town once a month for flour and such (j/k)
I appreciate the insight. Nice to know hope isnt lost.
ReDhAwK
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Search Google for "20v" power supplies and look at ones that meet the 1500ma (or more) requirement. Laptop power supplies would work. A search on eBay for "20v power supply" brought up a number of hits. For example
http://cgi.ebay.com/Dell-ZVC70NS20112-Laptop-Power-Supply-20V-3-5A_W0QQitemZ250021779114QQihZ015QQcategoryZ31512QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
IMO just cut off the laptop connector and replace it with one that fits the FX base..
Keep in mind the voltage is not very critical but the amperage is. You could use an 18volt 1500ma unit and probably a 22v one. But too little on the millamps (like 1k, 500 or 300ma) and the unit will fry.
I have one but it's not for sale. I await the day that an OS, other than Win 98 or 95 permits me to use it again.
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Good point on the amps. However I'd not think a joystick would need so much.
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Those motors/solenoids in that stick are hefty. I'm 6'5" and with the FX effects cranked up that thing could out arm-wrestle me any day ;)
I imagine the current use could peak close to the rating they gave to him. Course they may have used that size or rating to be safe and it could be more than enough. If he can find wallwarts cheap enough he could try 18-22v w/500-1200ma ratings and if they "pop" just toss them.
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No joy in finding my old pwr supply:mad: I think I may have given it away already. I will try to call the guy I gave it too in 4hrs, and see if he still has it. Mabe try talking to your local TV repair shop & see if they can make one for you? Your prolly looking at $50 for parts. Labour is gonna kill though.
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Here you go. http://www.mainelectronics.com/acadater.htm
Man that is one odd power requirement. Not sure if this will work but it will do 20vDC @ 1.5A
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PSSMV7U
COMPACT SWITCHING POWER SUPPLY 36W WITH SELECTABLE OUTPUT
(http://www.mainelectronics.com/imag/PSSMV7u.jpg)
$ 56.95 Canadian Dollars
This adaptor is a state-of-the-art switching power supply and features some major advantages such as: - cooler running - stabilised output - short-circuit and overload protection
- compact design - very low idling consumption
Features
8 detachable DC plugs for notebook computers & personal digital electronic devices.
stabilized output, low ripple & interference, short-circuit & overload protection, high efficiency & low energy consumption
Specifications
Supply Voltage: 100 ~ 240V AC
Power: 36W
Efficiency: >= 70%
20 selectable outputs: 5 to 24V DC in steps of 1V
(from 4.3 to 1.5A)
output plugs: 2.5mm mono - 3.5mm mono - 1.0x3.0mm 1.35x3.5mm - 1.7x4.0mm - 2.1x5.0mm - 2.5x5.5mm, 1.5x5.5mm.
dimensions: 3.5" x 1.8" x 1.2"
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If all else fails, RadioShack sells a cheap little paperback book on building power supplies with off the shelf parts. I ran into a similar situation building an amplifier, and was able to slap one together in a few hours.
It won't be in a neat little wall pack like a mass produced unit (mine's about the size of a shoe box :eek: ), but it beat not having one.
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Redhawk, sitting on the floor next to me is the power supply to my retired ForceFX stick. I haven't used it in ages as it has been replaced by a CH USB setup. PM me if you want them. I'm willing to sell the stick and power brick cheap. And my wife will be happy that I got rid of one more piece of clutter.
I also have analog Pro Pedals that still work, and an analog Pro Throttle, which I have no idea if it works. If anyone wants them, PM me and we'll work something out.
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Just in case anyone here is interested in a cool way to bring your old Force FX into the 21st century. My friend Sparx over at the CH-Hangar came up with this great mod where you take a CH FighterStick and a cheap ole' crappy Logitech Force 3D stick and melt them together into the Force FX. It works great! I'm loving mine!
Here are some photos:
http://www.ch-hangar.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3390
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I appreciate all the input and suggestions gents. Just in from work and found all these wonderful responses :)
Lord Auger, PM sent sir.
Homeboy, that has got to be the neatest "useful" mod I have ever seen. Wont do me any good as all my CH gear is analog. However, really, really cool :cool:
ReDhAwK
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Well, Radioshack is a no-go. They have transformers in 18v and 22v. However, no 20v They said that it seems that transformer was specifically made by the company for that specific product. Of course, CandH no longer supports or carries it per previous post.
18v or 22 v is close enough. Just make sure the transformer can handle the amperage u need. When manufacturers make standard electrical products , they realize that voltages that come out of your wall socket vary from place to place or town to town so to speak. for instance: I may have 110 volts at my house, u may have 115. The output (secondary side) of a transformer is only a ratio to the voltage that goes into it (the primary side). They allow a bit extra in voltage ratings for any particular component using a fundamental power supply.. I would get the 18v if it can handle the amps u need. Put a voltage meter on it. u may have 20 v coming out of it anyway. My point is u can buy a 20v transformer and get 18v or u can buy a 18v transformer and get 20v depending on what your voltage is coming out of the wall . Also, the windings in the transformers which determine their voltages in and out are only accurate to maybe 2% to 5% anyway.
Either way u probably only need maybe 15v to get it to work and maybe 25v to 30v to kill it. Trick is to get a transformer with a plug that fits into the unit its self so u dont have to go in an hardwire it. :)
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Originally posted by Lord ReDhAwK
Well, Radioshack is a no-go. They have transformers in 18v and 22v. However, no 20v.
ReDhAwK
that's because CH used a non-standard power supply.
ack-ack