DIY Sim Racing Button Box | Cheap and Simple!
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- Опубликовано: 29 сен 2024
- I found myself needing 3 new sim racing button boxes for the rigs in the studio, and being a miserly sort, I thought let's do this as cheap as possible. So, here's how I built these 4 DIY sim racing button box for less than £60 all in, for all 4.
Parts Used:
Zero Delay Arcade USB Encoder
200x120x75mm Junction Box
12mm Momentary Push Buttons
18mm Momentary Push Buttons
24mm Arcade Buttons
Carbon Vinyl Wrap (Don't do it!)
A couple of years ago I created a set of Sim Racing Stream Deck icons, which could easily be adapted if you plan on making a numpad based button box: www.dropbox.co...
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#ChrisHaye #SimRacing
Possibly one of your best videos mate! Funny and super helpful! How would one go about making these boxes work in sim? Do you have a simple software that'll recognize those and make it work in sim?
Thanks man! There's no need for any software, the USB board is picked up by windows and works natively. I probably should have mentioned that!
@@ChrisHaye Brilliant! Man you really undersold the cheap and simple part, looks like a super fun quick project.
@@ChrisHaye Sorry to piggy back on this comment, but does that board only support momentary switches or does it also work with switches or potentiometers?
@@DarthPoyner It works with knobs, switches, and anything like that, just has to have the connection type to be able to work with the board is all
@@DarthPoyner Pots might be a stretch, but you could possibly get away with a rotary encoder, one input for press, and one each for clockwise and anticlockwise turns.
Surprisingly this almost looks like something even I'd not be able to fuck up and doesn't look too bad. Witchcraft!!
I managed to not ruin 3 of them, it can't be that hard :D
love the zip tie that bad boy on there hahaha
Thanks man
Great and simple build. But I'd have no idea how to go about programming the buttons.
You don't. Plug and play as any USB controller.
@@EddieOtool Okay. thanks.Not exactly a computer whiz
@@ravenwinger1 You're welcome
Excellent vid. Is there a simple way to make a box that's PS compatible?
Aren't PS full of sh... I mean, quite proprietary?
I just bought a cheap USB keyboard featuring a touchpad, printed some stickers, mounted it on my playseat challenge and bam, multi-purpose button box :)
I did the same thing to start with. But, when I got an Alcantara wheel I wanted to use gloves, which made the touchpad unusable.... which is a shame, because it was much more convenient than having a separate mouse!
@@ChrisHaye Yeah and for older sims the mouse is a must unfortunately. Cool DIY btw!
You sir.... Deserve my humblest and sincerest thanks for this idea.... ❤❤❤❤❤❤
A mastermind! Will try the same
@@adambodorkos1745 do you mind telling me how you solved plugging more than one keyboard in? I've tried messing with AHK and LuaMacros but haven't a clue what I'm doing lol
As both a fighting games enthusiast and a sim racer, I’m absolutely elated that you used arcade buttons!
Imagine using sanwa buttons for a sim rig. The great feel with the practicality of the button box
Kazuya nods in agreement
After scouring a few sites for panels I'm convinced building my own will me FAR easier and better than what's out there for my needs. We have 3 different 3D printers at home and plenty of these switches and wires already from previous projects. This is gonna be a fun one.
Please let me know how it went 😁
Chris this is the most simplified way someones ever taught DIY (as should be the standard). Gonna follow this and make one in the near future, I cant see myself messing it up too badly! :D Thanks for the vid!
Pro-tip: Many of the boxes have a grid etched on the inside of the lid - making it super easy to plan your button spacing, and it's just as easy to drill from that side (i.e doesn't make a mess of the outside). Also +1 for carbon - I did the same!
"I just REALLY need to use this random stock footage every minute bro you dont get it"
Would rocker switches work?
Your vid’s are always times so we’ll, I’ve been shopping button boxes the last few weeks!
Heh. I can't take too much credit for the timing of this one.... it should have been released 3 weeks ago, but getting the printer to play ball for the 'numpad' box took far longer than it should have :D
@@ChrisHaye Printers are literally the worst
??? Was the thumb down from Mr Bezos ???
If you really wanna give Jeff the finger shouldn't you make a parts list with links to shops that isn't affiliated with him or his corporations?
Between him, stolen stuff from Ebay, and AliExpress, tricky to pick the lesser evil...
Great video! Def going to make a keypad button box. What do we have to do to get that sticker button file?!?
heh, "My limited DIY experience" - says the man in a kickass studio he built ;)
Chris, you're a legend.
This is such a simple but effective build. After buying the bits back when you released this video, I finally got around to designing a layout and doing the build.
So many latent man-tools called into service. Pure workshop joy. Just what the doctor ordered.
Works first time, added into iRacing, AC, FS22 and Elite Dangerous.
Once I work out just where I want it on my rig, I'll sort out a proper mounting solution.
I see in button boxes that there is a "fuel button". What type of switch is that called? When you push it in, it stays pushed in, pressing it again de activates the switch.
is it alredy compatable with the computer so you just have to set up the controls in game?
Also with this, If you buy a kit with all the buttons and joystick, You can use said joystick as a sequential shifter. I did such for many years with no issues
Could you do this and make it compatible with Xbox or no?
Thank you, thank you , thank you brother.
This is awesome, I am going to save a ton of money, make the boxes how I want them and have a cool project with the kids.
Would something like this work on playstation 5 for gt7?
Can u explain one thing, usb board has ~ 12 pushbutton ports, so u used 4 separated usb boards as 4 different usb devises?
Thank you Chris.
Hi! Is it possible to use more buttonboxes at the same time? For example I want a button box above me but also next to the steering wheel?
Hope somebody will see this comment hha
I have logitech saitek panel it's perfect for me because I play fs and it's only 100 euros.
This is nice. Is it plug and play? Then assign each button from the game setting?
Hopefully someone sees this, is there any other USB encoder I can use aside from the one in the video? I’ve used these encoders quite a bit and my usual problem is that I run out of programmable buttons and have to wire another usb encoder in for more.
I had a question for a usb button box. Can it work outside of racing sim, like for other uses/task
mate this video is amazing i feel i can do this myself watching this im gonna invest i think in parts and make a box thanks alot will Sub and like now!!!!
Hi mate I know you mad ethos vid a long time ago but can you tell me what buttons you used please as I can only find buttons you have to hold in to be on. Great video 👌
How do you Know which cord plugs into where? Very good video just not sure where which cord goes where into the board??
Hello Can you wire a start ignition led button without soldering?
not every game can recognize them when use more than 1 of this usb game controller boards
where to buy the buttons you a ledgend man people selling these over #50 quid
Is there a way to to add more types of inputs like switches and sliders?
i cant find a 18mm button would a 16mm work? thats all im finding
Will there be any keybinding issues if i buy 2 of those boards to make 2 boxes to put one on each side of the wheel?
Can you do a video on how to build a backlit button box?
Nice Job, is it also working for the xbox series x, or do I need another encoder
Not as cheap but also easy to use, I can recommend the Leo Bodnar ButtonBox Interfaces. They also support rotary encoders.
Anyways. Nice video, I enjoyed you, diving deep in your Adobe Stock library.
Definitely! I’m a big fan of the Bodnar boards. I still have one kept safe for a bit of a dream project that I hope I can realise this year!
You can add two rotary encoders to the shown USB encoder. In total 12 buttons and two rotary
@@vb_matic4166Where do i plug the rotarys in on the USB board?
Can i use another. Usb board and make one box whit 64 buttons?
Gloves? Really? Cringe.
I used to have a website. Whats the best website/stores for the buttons?
Would this work on XBOX 1S?
But wouldnt you need to assign the buttons on your pc?
does the Burton box need software or drivers to work?
Will this work on an XBOX Series X?
People in the arcade game community especially the fighting game scene use those kind of PCB's all the time, to build their own joysticks to play Tekken, Street Fighter, King of Fighters and so on. They buy parts separately, the pcb, buttons and joystick from either Sanwa or Seimitsu and then begin their DIY projects. Before the existence of those zero delay arcade encoder pcb thing, people used Playstation One control pads (the original, not the Dual Shock analogue), took it apart and used the pcb from it. ...And now Sim Racers using arcade buttons for button boxes is about to become a trend. Brace yourself, Sanwa and Seimitsu all the sudden have loads of new customers coming in...
what a great video! Thanks a lot! Think Im gonna opt for the numpad one.
Really pushed my buttons there ;)
Thanks Martin. I think the labels and carbon vinyl ended up costing more than the numpad in the end 😂
this is really a funny and great vid... thanks Chris. gonna try to build soon something myselves
Glad you enjoyed it! Have fun!
Too bad those USB joystick encoders are not supported on ps4 however a keyboard is so I stripped the board from a cheap keyboard and made my own console compatible button box
Could i add rotarys to this USB board?
I'm going to try to make one of these and put in o l e d on it
is it compatible with xbox series s?
maybe I'm stupid but what do all these vague references refer to...?
btw, I have been considering doing exactly what you did for the 'joke' button box. how do you like it? (no VR here!)
Just giving Jeff Bezos a bit of stick, I wouldn't worry about it... he won't!
The Numpad box is really useable, but if you race in gloves it's not 100% perfect... add VR into the mix and I think it'd be quite tricky.
@@ChrisHaye Ahh googling his name explained everything. I don't use Amazon, because we have better local options and I would hate for Amazon to ruin that...
I don't use gloves, so I think I may try to get something similar. If I end up making something, I'll try dropping an imgur link in the comment section sometime :) Thanks for the response!
@@ChrisHaye How did you assign the "num" key (top-left). For me it just changes the function on other keys.
Does this work on a console
Chris... This is an amazing video. I can use a button box and building one myself would be a nice little project. Definitely going to make my own button box now! Thanks.
Bloody awesome 👏
Thanks for sharing
👍🏻👍🏻🙃🙃
Next time we meet (next SimRacingExpo?) I will bring my soldering iron to give you some lessons :-D
Nice idea with the tape! I have to learn using tape the hard way ;-)
For fixing the BBox I prefer Velcro Tape from Tesa.
I did this a few years ago myself and it's excellent. I really like it, though mounting is definitely an issue.
Title : DIY sim racing button box.
Content : button box for anything, really.
Price : cheap
Value : priceless
References : we gonna need more warehouse for that.
Awesome Video! A few questions though. First, could I use this to control my OBS directly, or would I have to map the buttons to keyboard keys? Second, could I use a toggle switch to mute my microphone (i.e Toggle switch up for Mute on, switch down for mute off)? Third, Do i need to be an admin to install/use this on a computer? Lastly, Could I make this wireless in some way?
Thanks for this, I was looking for this kind of project! Do you have any EMI issues with your DD wheels and these?
None so far. In fact, with the Fanatec and Simucube systems, I've had no EMI issues with anything. My old OSW system did produce some issues with audio equipment however, but that seems to be a lot more sensitive in general to such things.
@@ChrisHaye Good to know, thanks. I'm still rocking the OSW system and have had some EMI issues with my Valve Index, but it hasn't affected any other controllers thankfully. I reckon these should be fine too.
really like this video - will help many guys to start their DIY career
i think i started with such a USB controller 😃
Seems like with the right setup you could make both an ebrake (just on and off not pressure sensitive) as well as a sequential gear box shifter. Even a H shifter.
Brilliant video! I've just bought a cheap numpad (£8 off amazon) thanks to this video. What's the best way to attach the icons (thanks for uploading them) to the keys? I was thinking about laminating them for longevity......
Use a keyboard with a facade cover 😉…. I haven’t done that but I feel like I could make something work reasonably well without getting into wiring buttons.. though I do enjoy soldering things.. anyone ever try something like that?
I made one myself the exact same way before even seeing the video. My issue is, I want 3 way switches for my button box, but don't know how to make them work with the USB board. Clearly I can't use the cable with the connectors they came with, but can I just splice it and make it work?
@Chris Haye - become an amazon affiliate and let King Jeff help you.
Are buttons from the numeric keypad recognized as the same button from the keyboard ?
Example : 7 from keypad = 7 from the keyboard ? or it is a different input signal for the game control ?
i would like to avoid conflict during configuration.
Thanks !
Bro I'm a Queenslander and dunno bout anywhere else but back in the day anyway we have a saying "if zipties can't fix it, it ain't worth being fixed" ;) my pro drift car the bodykit is done up with zipties but anyone that is in the drift world should know the reasons for that... Incase anyone is curious it's cuz zips will break before fibreglass so if u hit the apex or something and rip the body kit off the zipties break and u don't issues from screws etc breaking the kit
A number pad question: how do you make it so button presses aren't recognized as a number pad? I'm at the dull end of the grid for technical savvy. 🤷♂️
That numpad-idea was great, but when i tried it it connected as my main keyboard numpad. Made all sorts of issues :(
how did you assign specific buttons or commands to the "num pad box", otherwise it will just work as an numpad and your PC cant tell the difference.
i know some solutions as HID MACROS but i was not really satisfied. (i always had to start it manually and sometimes it didnt worked).
Maybe you found another great way and could share it in a Video Tutorial ?
USB work on Xbox?
Sorry if dumb question. I saw that the USB is automagically recognized by windows. Is there software needed to map the keys? If I wanted to use this for something else like a space or flight sim, would that be needed, or is it game dependent?
If i wanted to use a rotory switch for like brake bias for example, how would I go about doing that / what switch would I use?
Even better and less effort get yourself app called Sim racing Dash or Matric and run it on Tablet way Organized and Eazy to remember each button what does do when you run multiple games thing gets harder but with the app you can name and make every button unique which is easy way to memorize.
Carbon is very strong, especially if you ever decide to use it around the Titanic
This might be a dumb question but do toggle switches work on the board you used? Like on-off-on or something idk anything
Never done anything like this but seems kinda easy (and fun) . Just got a quick question. Wanna start with a super small one , ignition and start engine. The start engine is gonna be a push button ofc but want a toggle switch with cover for the ignition. Now here comes the question , how can I make it so if i open the cover , hit the switch and the ignition comes on, but i want the ignition to stay on even if i close the cover?
Are the red and black buttons the 12mm ones? 18mm dont seem to pop up well on the old amazon. Obviously the big red ones are the 24 mm lol
I am trying to do this but I have a small problem. On your button boxes you have more than 12 buttons on them but the board only supports 12 buttons, how did you get more than 12 to work? Thanks.
I did this and it's great but it detects as a gamepad so some buttons don't work and have interference with my wheel, any advice?
Holy crap. This is what I need in my life right now. Thanks!
Amazing! Now if only this could be used on a ps5 😭
Does it install drivers? In your USB devices list, what type of device does this board show up as?
I was just about to buy a button box, but think I'm gonna have a crack at making one now
It's worth a look dude - especially if you can pick up the parts cheaper than from Jeff ;)
@@ChrisHaye even going with old Jeff, it's significantly cheaper than an pre-built ebay jobby
Thank you for this very good tutorial, but do you know if they would work with fighter-jet style switches as well?
ive made the joy usb boxes in the past dont know why i never thought of a 10 key. my dad was an accountant,man he loved his 10 key
need to build a button box for truck simming but need toggles rather then momentary switches
Thanks a lot for this very useful tutorial. Could you maybe give us some purchase links ? Thanks in advance
Could you have some of the buttons set up to control other software in the background? Would it be possible to have discord controls set to a few buttons while the rest be set up for a game?
Proud just how many cable ties are used on my rig.
Hey Chris, do you know if you can put multiple encoder on the same pc ?
Very nice, would the zero delay board show up on an X-Box console?
Mate, my pedals were zip tied down for the first 6 months of my sim racing 😄