Author Topic: PIMP my throttle!: Saitek X35T Evo1 (Read 1089 times)

Xjazz · « **on:** January 28, 2007, 06:29:53 AM »

Hi

A fast and dirt modification with available materials.

New stand alone throttle prototype

The X36 stick main PCB board is inside of the additional throttle base.

The original thick cable is changed to the USB cable from the old mouse.

The white connector under the USB cable is for the external shift switch.

The potentiometer, covered with yellow tape, is a stick Y-axic pot. I left it out just for the testing purpose.

Note the elegant sport-tape packing.

There are some potential for future developement. The sitcks X/Y axic pots. Thirteen unused buttons with shift and with as many modes you like to have. Thnaks to the Dhauzimmer driver and XD-profiler.

Eagler · « **Reply #1 on:** January 28, 2007, 08:44:00 AM »

very cool

more photos please, maybe some of the base and how you wired the throttle to the x36 base board ..

it was a usb X36 to start?

Helrazr1 · « **Reply #2 on:** January 28, 2007, 12:58:30 PM »

Interesting

Xjazz · « **Reply #3 on:** January 28, 2007, 04:29:52 PM »

One note. This modification is not my idea originally.

Eagler
Yes, its was a X36usb hotas.

I need to cut off some plastic from the additional base to get PCB fit nicely in.

Those white tapes on bottom are insulating the PCB from the metal ballast plates.

I left out the small PCB's (diode matrix etc) from the stick handle. I can add n PCB's later, if needed.

Xjazz · « **Reply #4 on:** January 29, 2007, 05:37:48 AM »

More detailed

Throttle
1.   Cut the original throttle connection cable and left about 30cm/inch tail for it.

2.   Open the throttle base and slowly & careful pull those thin cables (1.) out from cable cover. Be very careful and do not cause a stress to the thin cables solder joints.

3.   Tape together those 15+1 thin cables. You could also use some flexible tube.

4.   Cut off the connection cable remain and just leave the cable bend-protector (2.) on its place.

5.   Pull the thin USB cable through the cable bend-protector and leave inside of the base 30cm/12inch tail to have enough slack for the later use.

6.   Remove the vacuum-cup holder covers (3-4.) and pull the USB and thin cables through.

7.   Nice clean and flat area (5.) for the additional pots and buttons to place. Another option is to do a complete separate switch/pot panel, which you can place anywhere you like. Fake MFD anyone?

Original picture is from http://saitek.ru/other/x45inside/

Additional base
8.   The thin cables (6.) from the throttle soldered to the original cleaned 15pin D-connector (7.).

9.   The USB cable (8.) from the throttle soldered to the PCB cables (9.)

10.   The un-used stick button cables (10.) packed to avoid short circuits.

Un-used stick handle PCB’s and switches.

Krusty · « **Reply #5 on:** January 29, 2007, 11:31:13 AM »

I'm not clear on something.... So, you ... what? Took the throttle and made it stand-alone? Is that it?

Xjazz · « **Reply #6 on:** January 29, 2007, 01:51:15 PM »

Er...Ooops

I had a Saitek X36 usb hotas but I only use the throttle, because I have a CH FighterStick.

So, I took a X36 stick, disassemble it and put stick main PCB in to the additional throttle base. The end result is a stand alone X35T usb throttle with lots of potential.

Krusty · « **Reply #7 on:** January 29, 2007, 03:26:27 PM »

Ah, very interesting. I've never had a Saitek setup (X32, X45, or X52). When you say:

"The white connector under the USB cable is for the external shift switch."

What does that mean? I see the jack you're talking about but I don't understand what the external shift switch does.

Xjazz · « **Reply #8 on:** January 29, 2007, 05:26:50 PM »

The external shift switch is taped to the CH fighterstick, under the mid finger joint.

The shift double each throttle button function in given mode.

DREDIOCK · « **Reply #9 on:** January 29, 2007, 07:29:51 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Xjazz
The external shift switch is taped to the CH fighterstick, under the mid finger joint.

The shift double each throttle button function in given mode.

so you now have not only a pinky switch but also a middle finger switch on the CH stick itself?

Xjazz · « **Reply #10 on:** January 30, 2007, 02:34:21 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by DREDIOCK
so you now have not only a pinky switch but also a middle finger switch on the CH stick itself?

Yes, a two shift switches. One for the throttle andone for the stick.

The current setup is cruel looking and little bit confusing to use sometimes.

Because of the CH warranty, I don't want to do serious modifications to the stick... yet.

My first plan is to place a micro switch to the white marked area and 'connect' it to the CH shift button with lever.