How would you wire a tact switch to a 360 controller button?

Major0ffense · Post by **Major0ffense** » Sat Mar 08, 2008 6:46 am

On the controller mod site called hgcontrollers.com I ran across several controller mods. They're most advertised is the few on the front page with tact buttons on the back of the controller that correspond to various buttons. How would you wire these? More specifically, how would you install a rapid-fire tact button? (When pressed it simulates the trigger being pressed every few milliseconds.)

Aguiluz · Post by **Aguiluz** » Sat Mar 08, 2008 7:10 am

From what I know, it needs a 555 timer to simulate the repeating button press. I seen this on electronics class.

http://www.nooberouno.com/2007/08/10/ad ... ade-stick/

But then again, I refuse to use turbo through my games. I don't cheat it!

Major0ffense · Post by **Major0ffense** » Sat Mar 08, 2008 10:40 am

What about just installing a regular tact switch? Where would I solder the wires, since all I see when the button hits is basically a black circle with a bronze colored line through it.

palmertech · Post by **palmertech** » Sat Mar 08, 2008 11:46 am

No offense, but if you dont know what those pads under the buttons are, or how they work, you really should not be trying to do this. What is the benefit anyway? Do some research before you try to do this, then come back and ask some intelligent questions. I will be glad to help if you would search the forums for info first.

Major0ffense · Post by **Major0ffense** » Sat Mar 08, 2008 3:24 pm

palmertech wrote:No offense, but if you don't know what those pads under the buttons are, or how they work, you really should not be trying to do this. What is the benefit anyway? Do some research before you try to do this, then come back and ask some intelligent questions. I will be glad to help if you would search the forums for info first.

How does it make intelligent sense to start that with 'No Offense'? Thats an oxymoron if I've ever seen one. Second, I don't much care if you think I should or shouldn't be trying to do this. I spent the money on the gear, not you. The point of asking is so that I do know, and I think that asking people who know how to do something constitutes as 'research'. What do you propose I use as a search keyword, anyway? 'Little black pad thingy with metallic strip across center under buttons and how to wire tact buttons onto them'?

Don't reply if it isn't going to be constructive.

Post by **bicostp** » Sat Mar 08, 2008 3:31 pm

Major0ffense wrote:What about just installing a regular tact switch? Where would I solder the wires, since all I see when the button hits is basically a black circle with a bronze colored line through it.

Solder a wire from the trace on one side of the button pad to a lead on the tact switch, and a wire from the other side to the lead diagonal from the first one on the switch. However, this will just move the switch. You need that 555 timer circuit to make a Turbo button.

Major0ffense · Post by **Major0ffense** » Sat Mar 08, 2008 3:45 pm

bicostp wrote:
Major0ffense wrote:What about just installing a regular tact switch? Where would I solder the wires, since all I see when the button hits is basically a black circle with a bronze colored line through it.
Solder a wire from the trace on one side of the button pad to a lead on the tact switch, and a wire from the other side to the lead diagonal from the first one on the switch. However, this will just move the switch. You need that 555 timer circuit to make a Turbo button.

Any possibility of a diagram, or something? Are the 'sides' of the button pad the black? I'm not too worried about the turbo, I was mainly just curious how they worked.

palmertech · Post by **palmertech** » Sat Mar 08, 2008 4:20 pm

Sorry for sounding harsh.

I sometimes wish that i had someone to tell me i was crazy when i started trying to do this stuff! But you are right, i should have been more helpful. I am somewhat bitter over a project very simailar to this one gone bad which wasted about $160 of my money...Anyway, the button traces work like this: You know those rubber pads under the buttons? They conduct electricity. When you press down, they complete the circuit between those two pads. To use a switch, all you need to do is make it so a switch connects those two points when you push on it. I recommend soldering the two switch buttons to the traces that lead away from the buttons (the dark green lines). You will gave to scrape that green coating off the traces first, though. All they are are very flat wires with a coating, really. Also, i think you should check on google, try "xbox 360 controller mod trace". That should give some results. Again, sorry for sounding harsh. I forget that it is hard to research something when you have not the slightest idea what it is! Good luck, and ask any questions you need, i will try to answer! And though i might get flamed for this...As long as you are trying to cheat on the xbox 360, google "lag switch xbox". A pretty easy project, but dont actually use it! Instead, sell it for way too much money on ebay, like i did.

EDIT: i found a good link: http://forums.xbox-scene.com/lofiversio ... 66559.html
Enjoy!

dragonball345 · Post by **dragonball345** » Sat Mar 08, 2008 5:21 pm

its just soldering two wires likely if you want it for not repeating a button like crouch if you want repeating like firing a weapon then use what they are calling the wiring for the two wires would just be one on either side of the button pad where the rubber thing make contact.

Major0ffense · Post by **Major0ffense** » Sat Mar 08, 2008 6:24 pm

palmertech wrote:Sorry for sounding harsh. I sometimes wish that i had someone to tell me i was crazy when i started trying to do this stuff! But you are right, i should have been more helpful. I am somewhat bitter over a project very simailar to this one gone bad which wasted about $160 of my money...Anyway, the button traces work like this: You know those rubber pads under the buttons? They conduct electricity. When you press down, they complete the circuit between those two pads. To use a switch, all you need to do is make it so a switch connects those two points when you push on it. I recommend soldering the two switch buttons to the traces that lead away from the buttons (the dark green lines). You will gave to scrape that green coating off the traces first, though. All they are are very flat wires with a coating, really. Also, i think you should check on google, try "xbox 360 controller mod trace". That should give some results. Again, sorry for sounding harsh. I forget that it is hard to research something when you have not the slightest idea what it is! Good luck, and ask any questions you need, i will try to answer! And though i might get flamed for this...As long as you are trying to cheat on the xbox 360, google "lag switch xbox". A pretty easy project, but dont actually use it! Instead, sell it for way too much money on ebay, like i did.
EDIT: i found a good link: http://forums.xbox-scene.com/lofiversio ... 66559.html
Enjoy!

Respect level just went up for you man. Anyone who can take a retort like a man and admit something is good in my book. I admit I don't know crud about this stuff, but everyone has to start somewhere. I am computer savy, so I know basic electronics, but the fact that the pads looked (and felt) like rubber totally threw me off.

Major0ffense · Post by **Major0ffense** » Sat Mar 08, 2008 6:30 pm

palmertech wrote:As long as you are trying to cheat on the xbox 360, google "lag switch xbox". A pretty easy project, but dont actually use it! Instead, sell it for way too much money on ebay, like i did.

To be honest, that was more my reasoning for asking about the Rapid Fire as well. Those things will sell for tons, especially if you take 'em to a local flea market. Then I finally found a guide somewhere else after making the original post, and found it to be way above my current level(which is pretty much none...) so I'm putting that thought aside for a while.

palmertech · Post by **palmertech** » Sat Mar 08, 2008 6:39 pm

I'm flattered.

The rubber pads do throw you off a bit. Computer knowledge is good, it will help a lot. One thing that i would suggest to learn about electronics is just to take apart any old electronics you can get your hands on. Thats how i learned. Also, my respect to you for accepting my apologies.

And though you may lack electronics skills, at least you're better than those people who say "OMgZ, i see the xbox360 on Benz page, nd i wuz like i ken do tat! So im lik buldin one, but i mez up and stuf and te 360 is smokin!!!!1111ELEVEN111!!Yoy guyz tel me how ta fix it! PS>Ure guyz prtables suck! Min wil be soooooo much beter! LOLZ. " God, i hate those people.

EDIT: See how i can edit my post by clicking the edit button? Next time, use that rather than make a new post.

Major0ffense · Post by **Major0ffense** » Sat Mar 08, 2008 7:45 pm

palmertech wrote:I'm flattered. The rubber pads do throw you off a bit. Computer knowledge is good, it will help a lot. One thing that i would suggest to learn about electronics is just to take apart any old electronics you can get your hands on. Thats how i learned. Also, my respect to you for accepting my apologies. And though you may lack electronics skills, at least you're better than those people who say "OMgZ, i see the xbox360 on Benz page, nd i wuz like i ken do tat! So im lik buldin one, but i mez up and stuf and te 360 is smokin!!!!1111ELEVEN111!!Yoy guyz tel me how ta fix it! PS>Ure guyz prtables suck! Min wil be soooooo much beter! LOLZ. " God, i hate those people. EDIT: See how i can edit my post by clicking the edit button? Next time, use that rather than make a new post.

Eh, I would have ussually, but since I was replying to a more specific portion of the post, I figured I'd just requote it. Since you seem to know my stuff, I have another thread referring to the installation of a toggle to function as holding the control stick down. My question is which of the four posts on the tact switch do I solder the wires too? Two of the said posts are pretty covered by the trigger assembly, so I'm hoping it's the two uncovered. There are also two metal tabs on the top of the tact switch that look like they could be positive and neg posts, but I'm not sure.

palmertech · Post by **palmertech** » Sat Mar 08, 2008 7:52 pm

I will reply in that thread.

Major0ffense · Post by **Major0ffense** » Sat Mar 08, 2008 10:40 pm

So back to the rapid fire topic, I've been looking for decent tutorials online, but all I've been able to find are bulky Original Xbox Rapid Fire Tutorials. Got a link to a good, beginner-friendly tutorial anyone?