Button box options

[jamescarruthers]

I’m interested in getting / making a button box.

So, what are people’s favourites?

What do people mostly use? Buttons, rotary switches, toggles?

 

[BillyBobSenna]

I am also interested in this answer. Seems there are many options. Maybe the best option depends on what country you live in.

 

[Kieran527]

where the bloody hell do you start with the coding as well!

I want to build my own, but i know zero about coding, and thats whats stopping me!

 

[jamescarruthers]

@Kieran527 - You can either use a standard joystick interface PCB or an Arduino along with Simhub.

 

[BillyBobSenna]

where the bloody hell do you start with the coding as well!

I want to build my own, but i know zero about coding, and thats whats stopping me!

The youtube video below shows how to make a button box. If I knew how to solder I would consider.

How to Make a Button Box

 

[Michel vL]

I use a StreamDeck XL, working beautifully.

 

[Tom_Hampton]

Obviously, the easy button is simply to buy a box premade. That's the quickest, and probably cheapest route...as long as you like someone else's arrangment of buttons/switches/knobs.

I'm in the middle of designing one for use in VR (see design below). I took a lot of inspiration from RCHeliguy's thread on here, but I went a slightly different route. Particularly for VR, I like the idea of having multiple functions in each location...eg, dual rotary encoders (with a push-button), bidirectional momentary switches, joystick switches, etc. Once I get my hand on a control, I don't want to have to move it---since I'm effectively blind folded.

For building your own, I think the Bodnar line of interface boards are about the easiest to work with; although the DSD-nomatrix ones are close to equivalent.

The hardest part of designing your own is finding switches, buttons, knobs, encoders, etc that do what you want, are the size you want, and look the way you want. I ended up getting most stuff off of ebay (mostly from China). Ali-express also has pretty much the same selection...I found the Ebay seach engine a little more effective in narrowing my choices to my preferences. Since so much comes from china, be prepared to wait....and wait....and wait. Patience sucks.

 

[Kieran527]

@Kieran527 - You can either use a standard joystick interface PCB or an Arduino along with Simhub.

dont you need coding with the arduino?

So if i wanted to have roataries and push buttons, that can be done easily on the pcb or arduino?

 

[Tom_Hampton]

where the bloody hell do you start with the coding as well!

I want to build my own, but i know zero about coding, and thats whats stopping me!

No coding is required. Either a Bodnar or a Derek Spears Designs USB board, switches and wires is all that's required. The board simply shows up in windows as another gaming controller, and works just like the buttons/switches on your wheel.

BBI-32 Button Box Interface - With Connectors : Leo Bodnar Electronics

Leo Bodnar Electronics BBI-32 Button Box Interface - With Connectors - A USB joystick interface board with simple push in wire connectors to connect buttons, rotary encoders and switches to a PC or Mac. Build your own gaming device, whether it be a flight panel, button box, joystick, robot...

www.leobodnar.com

http://**********************/32-button-no-matrix-controller.html

"All" you have to do is buy the board, buy the switches, connect them correctly, and plug it into a USB port on your computer. Then fire up your sim, and assign controls as per normal.

As noted above, the hard(er) part is the design work and parts selection to make it what you want. That can be as complicated (see above) or as simple as you want (a plain grid of 32/64 push-buttons).

 

[Kieran527]

i know what i want, i was always put off by the coding element, but seems thats been negated, so ill get researching!

I like the DSD panels for CSW v2.5, but theres no way i was paying that sort of money for some button boxes that will get use, but are also there for cosmetics

http://**********************/csw-panels---ultra.html

So ive designed my own side panels to take button boxes, fan outlets, as well as controller for the fans, volume control for the speakers and a headphone out when i want to use headphones.
It pretty cool, just need the button boxes and this isolation period to end, and then im on the new project!

 

[jamescarruthers]

dont you need coding with the arduino?

So if i wanted to have roataries and push buttons, that can be done easily on the pcb or arduino?

Check out SimHub — no coding required — you set it up in the interface and then it even flashes it for you. If you're ok with a soldering iron then a cheap Arduino Micro Pro (check which ones it supports) and you're done.

Cheaper than one of the USB interfaces.

 

[Tom_Hampton]

Check out SimHub — no coding required — you set it up in the interface and then it even flashes it for you. If you're ok with a soldering iron then a cheap Arduino Micro Pro (check which ones it supports) and you're done.

Cheaper than one of the USB interfaces.

True. But, that approach makes it is a matrix interface instead of direct-wire pins. That's more complexity in the wiring, and chances for "error". Also, matrix interconnect has some limitations that direct wire does not (but, may not really matter much).

Even as a 30yr EE who spend his entire childhood wirewrapping intergrated circuits...for the $20ish cost difference, I'd rather direct wire things. I've hand-wired a lot of stuff in my day.

If I just wanted a small handful of just buttons/switches, I might go that route. But, the design above is already at 60+ inputs when you consider each dual-rotary takes 5 inputs.

 

[Ruttman98]

Anyone working on a DIY solution:

Please share your design and components!

Than you!

 

[Tom_Hampton]

Anyone working on a DIY solution:

Please share your design and components!

Than you!

Well, you can see the sketch above.

Stickers:

I bought these. And I'm making some others for things this set didn't have.

Semi-gloss sim Racing Decals V6 - Etsy

This Decals & Skins item by VisualControl has 657 favorites from Etsy shoppers. Ships from Sunland, CA. Listed on Jan 26, 2024

www.etsy.com

Components:

Controller:

BBI-64 Button Box Interface : Leo Bodnar Electronics

Leo Bodnar Electronics BBI-64 Button Box Interface - USB buttons, switches and encoders interface board with simple connections. Works on Windows, Mac and Linux. Build your own gaming device - flight panel, button box, music controller, robot controls and anything else that needs interfacing to...

www.leobodnar.com

Joystick switches:

AC 240V 5A 4NO 4NC Momentary 2.5mm Fixing Thread Joystick Switch T1C2 | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for AC 240V 5A 4NO 4NC Momentary 2.5mm Fixing Thread Joystick Switch T1C2 at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

Buttons:

16mm Stainless Steel Momentary Push Button Switch with Yellow LED 845832027470 | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 16mm Stainless Steel Momentary Push Button Switch with Yellow LED at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

AngelEye Led 16mm 12V Stainless Steel Round Momentary Push Button Switch 4Colors | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for AngelEye Led 16mm 12V Stainless Steel Round Momentary Push Button Switch 4Colors at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

Waterproof 16mm metal power switch button Emergency stop Mushroom head cap DIY | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Waterproof 16mm metal power switch button Emergency stop Mushroom head cap DIY at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

Switches:

4 SPDT Momentary ON/OFF/Momentary ON 20A Toggle Switches 1/2 Mount (ON)/OFF/(ON) | eBay

15A 250VAC, 20A 125VAC. Throw length: 3/4". Three Position (ON)/OFF/(ON).

www.ebay.com

I also have a single pole momentary with guard. But, I already have those from my racecar.

Rotary w/Button:

Rotary Encoder With Push Button CTS288V : Leo Bodnar Electronics

Leo Bodnar Electronics Rotary Encoder With Push Button CTS288V - What is an encoder? Click here to find out Model Number 288V232R161B2 Features -16 detents per revolution - 1 pulse per detent - 1:1 mode in our encoder config software - Shaft diameter: 1/4" - Integrated momentary push button...

www.leobodnar.com

Dual Rotary w/Button:

Dual Concentric Rotary Encoder Kit — PropWash Simulation - Flight Sim Radios, Panels, GPS for X-plane and FSX

Our PWS Dual concentric rotary encoder kit includes the encoder with switch, circuit board, nut, washer, headers and knobs. Black or Grey knobs are included. Perfect addon for flight simulation.

www.propwashsim.com

Knobs:

2PCS AMPLIFIER KNOB 20x15.5mm Aluminum POTENTIOMETER VOLUME CONTROL Audio DIY | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 2PCS AMPLIFIER KNOB 20x15.5mm Aluminum POTENTIOMETER VOLUME CONTROL Audio DIY at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

1PC Solid Aluminum Knob 15x15mm Audio Potentiometer Volume Control Amplifier DIY | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 1PC Solid Aluminum Knob 15x15mm Audio Potentiometer Volume Control Amplifier DIY at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

Black 25 x 15.5mm Aluminum 6mm Dia Rotary Control Potentiometer Cap Knob | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Black 25 x 15.5mm Aluminum 6mm Dia Rotary Control Potentiometer Cap Knob at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

I should note that I'm also hooking up the stalks from a Miata muti-function switch (headlights, wipers, cruise control, etc). I've also scavenged the actual ignition switch from my wrecked racecar for...well the obvious.

 

[Elaphe]

Ask yourself: "what do I need to control?" and create your button box with that in mind. In my case I made it simple, easy to remember and use with my headset on. I bought an electronic case made of plastic, removed the top and replaced it with a piece of plexiglass with the holes of my buttons cut with a machine. I installed 9 buttons (3 rows and 3 columns, easy to identify with my fingers). I also included a switch and a momentary 2 way switch. The former is used to cut or enable the power of my fans. The later is multifuctional (one of the buttons acts as a modifier, including a synthetic voice announcing the mode). Some of my buttons have dual functions (single press or hold). That can be programmed with AutoHotkey. Actually I use AutoHotkey for every button. As regards the electronics, I used a tiny USB controller (Xinmotek), which is detected as a gaming device. Apart from my button box, I have 2 buttons behind my rim, for quick functions.

 

[John Bruno]

I just ordered this little bad boy... Was considering the DSD dashboard panels for either side of the wheel, but it looked flimsy, too much play.

 

[BillyBobSenna]

I just ordered this little bad boy... Was considering the DSD dashboard panels for either side of the wheel, but it looked flimsy, too much play.
View attachment 382935

John, that looks like a very nice box. What is the make and model. Thanks.

 

[Deleted member 217114]

Another option is to buy a cheap android tablet. 2.2 or higher, if I remember correctly. And a tabletholder. Then go to EKsimracing and build your own digital buttonbox. I wanted do it, as well. But I prefer the looks of a real buttonbox.

I am still looking for a good tablet to use as a dashboard with Eksimracing, tho.

 

[Tom_Hampton]

John, that looks like a very nice box. What is the make and model. Thanks.

BBoxes PC

SIMRACING PRODUCTS, COMPONENTS AND MODS

www.ignitioncontrols.com

 

[diablo2112]

Streamdeck. Wonderful as a button box.