Hardware & Technical Saitek X52 extra buttons mod

[koberko]

Hi.
I have started to work on mod for my Saitek X52 that will give him 12 extra buttons. Here is general idea:
I will use one of those cheap USB numeric keypads for laptops, and strip it down, so that I can use electronics from it.
Then I will connect to that board, couple switches and buttons and map them as keys on numeric keyboard.
This buttons will be on two metal plates;
- first plate will be mounted under handle of throttle, and I will use existing screw holes under handle (I will just get new longer screws)
- second plate will be mounted on base, using 2 holes for mounting entire throttle.
Point of this is to fixate this plates with minimal "intrusion" in to device it self, so that it can be done on devices that are still under warranty (as mine is)

Parts:
Keypad: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mini-Wirele...164?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1e950ab2ac
- i have order it and already received it

Button type 1: http://www.ebay.com/itm/221475333222?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT
- I got 5 of this; ordered and waiting for them to arrive

Button type 2: http://www.ebay.com/itm/131373957237?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT
- also got 5 of this; ordered and waiting for them to arrive

Button type 3: http://www.ebay.com/itm/181591337814?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT
- also got 5 of this; ordered and waiting for them to arrive
- this are for backup; I when I will start to work on it, I will see if I can put some extra buttons on some practical place to add even more extra buttons (keypad has 18 buttons + num lock)

Momentary (on)-off-(on) SPDT 3P ROCKER SWITCH: http://www.ebay.com/itm/220786725044?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT
- this ones will be used on front and back; mostly for some linked functions since they can act as two buttons

I ordered 4 different kinds of buttons/switches in order to have different buttons so that it's easier to distinguish them just with fingers; and to see witch ones will perform best.

Here are some 3d images showing how this concept should work:



Since I haven't started to work on it (I wait for all parts to arrive); feel free to give some suggestions on where to place buttons and for what to use them, so that potential use can maybe dictate better positions;
For example, to place on back panel buttons for power management (or rearrange buttons on throttle to have power management buttons there):


I will post update on build here, and when I'm done, I will make drawings with exact measurements so that others can replicate each part, and detailed schematics for wiring.

 

[Fakan]

First thought is an obvious but easily overlooked one.
Before starting any assembly or disassembly, plug in your cheap usb keypad and make sure all your intended key mappings are valid and do not cause any conflicts

 

[Time Streamer]

I must say i take off my hat for your efforts on the X52. I really hope to see you finishing and enjoying your custom made setup. More buttons are cool, but for the better or for the worst x52 already allows keyboard mapping into the joystick, or to use a key as a modifier (e.g. Shift) to do different stuff while you press buttons with that one (heck it's the second time today i talk about this xD). Depending on each individual taste, that ability either boost your efforts into even more keys or turn it useless in the aspect of too many keys. More, is always better than less, and I approve it though.

----- Opinion about the project

I've noticed that your power management keys are in front of your throttle. So you must stretch your fingers to press those buttons. Are those buttons within your fingers range if throttle is at minimum? If not, that might not be very handy. Have you considered to put them into a new throttle base? Make the base more like x55 or CH Warthog, with function buttons there. Yeah i know, it will violate warranty. My x52 pro still has it :| Just speaking out loud, can't guive much of a thought now. Still, it would be good to have those buttons handy, just to preserve the "Hands On Throttle and Stick" formula.

 

[koberko]

First thought is an obvious but easily overlooked one.
Before starting any assembly or disassembly, plug in your cheap usb keypad and make sure all your intended key mappings are valid and do not cause any conflicts

Yeah; I have tested it and for now, it works... Can't say it will later when I butcher it but, I have one extra for backup

I must say i take off my hat for your efforts on the X52. I really hope to see you finishing and enjoying your custom made setup. More buttons are cool, but for the better or for the worst x52 already allows keyboard mapping into the joystick, or to use a key as a modifier (e.g. Shift) to do different stuff while you press buttons with that one (heck it's the second time today i talk about this xD). Depending on each individual taste, that ability either boost your efforts into even more keys or turn it useless in the aspect of too many keys. More, is always better than less, and I approve it though.

----- Opinion about the project

I've noticed that your power management keys are in front of your throttle. So you must stretch your fingers to press those buttons. Are those buttons within your fingers range if throttle is at minimum? If not, that might not be very handy. Have you considered to put them into a new throttle base? Make the base more like x55 or CH Warthog, with function buttons there. Yeah i know, it will violate warranty. My x52 pro still has it :| Just speaking out loud, can't guive much of a thought now. Still, it would be good to have those buttons handy, just to preserve the "Hands On Throttle and Stick" formula.

For power management, I put that just as example... I have it at moment on hat switch on my joystick, but in heat of battle I can happen to switch power to wrong systems.
On those back buttons, I actually intended to put some rarely used functions like cargo hatch, lights, landing gear, open galaxy map, system map, etc... So things that usually I won't need in some critical situations like fight, so that I can free up buttons on joystick and throttle for stuff that I had to have instantly.
I'll see about layout once i get buttons and make first prototype...

 

[koberko]

I came up with one more potential upgrade; I could make center point indent, so that I can more easily "hit" zero throttle (I play in way that middle throttle position is zero engine power). I have removed those indent that at both ends of throttle range, so I have smooth movement, but middle one could be useful...

 

[magillag]

So how does it work? Was it worth it?
Pic of the finished unit?

 

[Kurdran]

I'd really like to know how it went too.

 

[Scucca]

Koberko, Did you ever finish this build?

Do you have any schematics, templates, drawings? I'm planning to replicate your top plate, so any measurements you might have would be very helpful.