Questions about turbo-pads

[TheOldMan]

I was just rebuilding some tg16 pads (for a multi-player gaming session), and I noticed there are a few different internal setups. So, does anyone here have a pad that is dead electrically (not dead because the rubber connections crapped out.) ? Does such a thing actually happen?

FWIW, the boards appear to be interchangeable, but the rubber pieces are different. I know of 2 basic d-pad types - a slit circle under the d-pad, and a single piece with 2 holes at the bottom. The pieces under the buttons also differ; some pads have a single circular holder on one edge (and hence, only insert one way) while others have 2 holders. Has anyone seen any other setups?

I'm looking for an electrically dead controller, with good rubber pieces to build a spare pad out of. Let me know if you have one really, really cheap ($1-5). Or, optionally, let me know you have it and want to fix it. Maybe I'll send you one of the spare boards I have :-)

[nat]

I don't think the two boards are interchangeable. It's been a long time, but I seem to recall they both have different pin-outs. I guess as long as you kept the correct cable with the board you'd be OK.

Also, I've never seen a completely dead controller but I used to have (maybe still do) a TurboPad that when plugged in, the RUN button would just fire off over and over like it had it's own Turbo switch maxed out. This happened regardless of whether or not you were actually pressing the button.

[Necromancer]

I have a dead pad that you could have the rubber bits from.  I'll swap 'em into a working controller tonight to make sure they work; if you don't hear back tomorrow, bump this thread or send me a PM as reminder.

[TheOldMan]

I don't think the two boards are interchangeable. It's been a long time, but I seem to recall they both have different pin-outs. I guess as long as you kept the correct cable with the board you'd be OK.

Yeah, now that you mention it, I seem to remember talk about 2 different sized board connectors,too. I -think- I tried swapping cables on a controller once, and ran into that problem. But it's been a long time....

I have a dead pad that you could have the rubber bits from.

I only need half of the split circle; the rest of it I can piece together. Unless you have a good back for the other style? (The posts broke off that hold the board in place. Someone stepped on it <sigh> )

And so everyone knows, I did actually get 5 controllers working, and some testing and debugging done on a 5-player game I'm working on. So technically, I don't -need- another controller. A backup would be nice though.

Necro: Since you have a dead pad, what kind is it? I have a spare duo board+cable I can send, if you need it. (the mini-din style) Get it while I'm cleaning out some of the junk parts, and can still find it :-)

[Necromancer]

This pad is pretty f'd up (beat to hell, broken screw posts, cracked board, and missing a chunk on one side), so it's only good for parts; so far the cable, one turbo slider thingy, and button II have been used to save less fortunate controllers.  If you can use 'em, the rubber bits are yours.

[Official Ninja]

speaking of turbo pads, I have one that is like new. The D-pad is so stiff and hard to press it is a chore to use. The other turbo pads I have feel nice and easy. Very easy to use. Is the stiff pad a result of there being 2 different types? In other words a characteristic of one of the types? Anyone notice a difference in feel between the two types?

[TheOldMan]

The D-pad is so stiff and hard to press it is a chore to use. ... Is the stiff pad a result of there being 2 different types?

I haven't noticed any difference due to the type of pad. I have had several that were really hard to use, but iirc that was usually due to them being put back together wrong.

Take it apart, and check for 2 things: 1) is the dpad plastic piece in right? Some of them have bigger 'pins' on one side than the other. If it's in backwards, it can stick. 2) are the rubber pieces in correctly? It's too easy to get them in and shift them out of place when you put the pad back together. Make sure they fit down on the posts, and if you have the split-circle ones, make sure the edges sit in the groove around the pad area.

Of course, you can also loosen the screws on the d-pad side of the controller. That will loosen it up for sure :-)