Need help modding a joystick

[Pagan Wizard]

I just picked up the Logitech Wingman Force 3D with Force Feedback. Anyway, there is a transparent ring around the stick that will allow light to pass through it.........so I was thinking........how can I install some LED's into it so it lights up blue all the time, and maybe red when I pull the trigger??

EDIT......my soldering skillz are almost nonexistant so I would need detailed instructions.

 

[Pagan Wizard]

Bump

 

[Dominat0r]

Ive seen people do this, but Im pretty sure they got power from a USB port or something.....check at COMPUSA. I saw they have these little lights that are powered by a USB port. You might be able to take it apart and use that..

Just a thought, good luck with the mod. Put some pics up if you get it to work.

 

[nanaki]

what would be cool if your soldering skills were up to it is have the leds in 2 colors so they were only on on button press. Red for one blue for the other. I dont even know if i could do that my self hounestly would probly require some form of relay switch so as to not mess with the responsiveness of the joy stick.
I like the idea Highlife mentioned of the usb powered lights that are readily avail from lots of places and all you would need to do is maybe extend the wire for the light.

 

[Nate53085]

make the USB light, its just an LED connected to the +5V and ground with a resistor, made one myself one day (without the resistor too). Al you would need to do for a single glow would be to find a +5 v line somewhere to tap off of. IDK about it changing when you fire though

 

[Vegeta]

It wouldn't be hard to get a light to light up when a button is pressed. you would need to test the voltages on the button if any, so borrow a multimeter for someone, take hte jopuystick apart, and while in a game press a button while the multimeter's leads are on the button's contacts. I don't know if you are using a USB joystick or a normal jhoystick... if it is a UBS joystick most likely all the wiring is digital and low voltage. this will require you to wire a relay to the button to where the light can be activated without interfering with the joystick's circuit. If it is a standard old style joystick there might be a voltage that passes though the button when pressed, either 5v or 3.3v (prolly 3.3v). If this is hte case it may be possible to hardwire a LED directedly to this line without interrupting the button's function as long as A) it is a low voltage LED and B) the drop in power in the cicuit used by the LED wont affet the computer's ability to recognize a button press. If this is the case, a relay will be needed. They can be picked up at radio shack. be sure to get a low voltage one.. whatever voltage you will be using.


heres a pic of it using a simple relay:

 

[Pagan Wizard]

This is a USB joystick, I failed to mention that in my original post. I think I am leaning away from the LED's changing to red when the trigger is pulled, but I would still like that ring to glow blue. Thanks for the tips so far everyone!!!!!