220 replies to this topic

[jeffnet]

it worked before though, never had issue until i hooked up mot-ion, i fix it by pressing esc on keyboard, does mot-ion use different key to exit?

[jasonsmith]

Back to being frustrated again, now I am getting BIG spikes about one every 4-6 seconds on the X-Axis obviously causing havoc. A few questions to narrow things down.

1. Has anyone noticed behavior changes from one PC to another? Motherboard usb port differences etc.

2. Anyone notice any behavior changes due to USB cable routing? Maybe it's getting interference from another wire.

3. Anyone notice any changes from different USB ports?

My only option right now is to max out the dead zone and kill the nudge ability and that would be a total waste of $$$.

[Noah Fentz]

What's your process for calibration?

[jasonsmith]

Exactly as it stated in the paperwork that came with it. One question about that as well though... for example in the steps where it states "press the right flipper button" is that supposed to move me onto the next step because I still need to press "Next" to get there.

[koadic]

Many problems can be traced back to power issues. You have hit upon some solutions in your post, but here is everything I would try...

Try all ports on motherboard - may be possible that for some reason you aren't getting a good connection power wise
Shorter or Thicker wire gauge USB cable - less chance of voltage drop
Powered External USB Hub - these provide the +5v power separately and doesn't rely on the motherboard power
OR Check voltage readings on main power supply, maybe you are getting fluctuations causing your issues - might be indicative of other potential issues if you power supply is failing/bad

[jasonsmith]

^^ Good stuff thank you. I do have an old PC with a old MB with almost all USB ports full up, it could be a power issue. I guess a powered hub may be a good idea as long as the hub is recognized LOL.

[koadic]

Well that sounds like that could be the cause, and in this case a powered usb hub might be the easiest possible solution. If that doesn't work though, or if you just want to try something else before buying one (if you don't already have one) is try it on a different pc or laptop and see if you have the same issues. If it is an issue with the board itself, then a powered hub isn't going to make much of a difference.

[jasonsmith]

I'll look around for a spare hub first and then maybe try it on another PC, good idea. At least it's nice to know that this isn't normal, there may be hope for this yet.

[jasonsmith]

And yet again you came to the rescue! It appears that it WAS a power issue. I found a powered USB hub and unloaded my Mouse, iPac2 and Nanotech onto it and much has stabilized. Most importantly the spikes are gone but the bouncing around has decreased as well. This old PC of mine is causing one thing after another, price to pay for a budget build I guess.

We need to organize all these cool tips and stick them in the first post or a new "Tips" thread or something.

[koadic]

Glad I could be of some assistance

[mattdavis]

Hello,

I hope this specific issue was not already covered, a search did not turn up something specific. I purchased the nanotech plunger from VirtuaPin a few months ago. I am only using it for plunging (no keys or nudge). It works fine for VP. The plunge motion is very fluid. The calibration screen shows it working properly. However, I can't get it to work in FP. Either the plunger does nothing at all or it jumps back and forth as if it is being pulled in out over and over. I tried the various settings noted in the manual and tons of variations of that. The result being it does nothing or it self plunges (to varying levels) over and over. Anyone know what might be going on?

Thanks,
Matt

[jasonsmith]

Matt I tried to mess with my FP settings (Z Gain and Deadzone) to try and recreate what's happening to you but I just can't get it to happen. I wouldn't want to blame it on your board if all is well when you calibrate, at least at one point you had FP set like this right?

Edited by jasonsmith, 14 November 2012 - 07:56 PM.

[mattdavis]

Matt I tried to mess with my FP settings (Z Gain and Deadzone) to try and recreate what's happening to you but I just can't get it to happen. I wouldn't want to blame it on your board if all is well when you calibrate, at least at one point you had FP set like this right?

Hi Jason,

I used your exact settings (and many variations). When I calibrate, My "Z.Ro" line (the last parameter) is only 1/2 the height of the one shown in their manual (which is 1/4 the full height). Not sure it has anything to do with it. I re-calibrated many times and it never goes above the about 1/4. I am just now out of warranty also, so I guess I am out of luck if it is a hardware issue. just to be sure I am not picking bad tables; what FP table do you know it to work with?

Thanks,
Matt

[jasonsmith]

I have 116 FP tables loaded Matt, it works with all that are plunger type. Name whatever table you have and I'll check for you.

[mattdavis]

I solved the issue. I am not sure why, but I had to change the plunger setting in FP from Z to another axis then put it back, and it started working. I guess FP was showing Z but not properly using it. Odd. Thanks Jason. Also, David at Nanotech provided amazing support. He quickly returned emails at crazy hours over a few different days. Thanks David!

- Matt

[JaronSenna]

Hi All,

 

I also bought the nanotech nudge/plunger kit some time ago when I was gathering parts for my build. I have recently added the plunger and PCB to my cab, but I must be missing something, because there is no way in the world I can get the plunger to work, it seems.

 

I already have a ipac2 hooked up to use as key encode (I have as few buttons as possible on the cab, and like the shift-key function on the ipac for that), so I am only interested in nudge and plunge.

 

When I do the calibration as stated in the manual, the crosshairs move as expected when calibrating X and Y axis, however the Z-axis does nothing. With the "raw data" box ticked, it only ever shows 0, no matter how far, quick, hard I pull or push the plunger.

 

The plunger unit itself is covered in black wire, but must have a transparent tube below it, because when I hookup the sata cable I can see a small red light on the plunger rod being switched on.

 

Is my unit defective, or am I missing something?

 

Hope someone can help.

 

Oh, my cab is on windows XP, I did not get the kit from Noah, I bought mine from wolfsoft.de.

 

- Jaron

[Westworld]

Looks like a defect, yes. I would connect the plunger (hopefully you did not already mount it in your cabinet) to another computer, could be also a notebook. If it is a notebook, use an USB3 connect to be sure it has enough power or a USB hub with it's own power supply, just to avoid any possible power issue.

then test calibration, there is no software installation necessary.

You may also want to test Visual Pinball.

Note: if you test Future Pinball, the plunger will only work if you have an US/English Windows installed, it will fail with other languages (tested with XP and 7). But still calibration should work.

 

If you purchased in Germany you have a minimum of 6 months full warranty without discussion, up to 24 months if the dealer is nice or accept that the issue was a production problem, so contact them...

[koadic]

If it doesn't work right away hooked up to another computer, try replacing the cable between the plunger and the board, it is just a standard sata cable.

[JaronSenna]

Thanks for the replies! 

 

I tried a different sata cable, same result: the light on the plunger rod is on, but nothing is registered on the z-axis. As to trying it on another computer: I have an imac which sees an unrecognized keyboard when you plug it in. Unfortunately I have no other windows or linux computer in the house, I will try to borrow one from a friend or something.

[JaronSenna]

I have done all the testing I could think of, all with the same result: nudging works on the x and y axis, but the plunger does not do anything. I have fired off an e-mail to wolfsoft asking what's best to do in order to return the unit. So far no response yet, but I am sure it will work out fine.