Making a Saturn Playstation PAD, help requested

[DNT 2.5]

I could gut a Saturn controller, snatch a PS one pad and mosh the two together, PSone Controller internals in the Saturn controller.

How hard it that, per se? I found a Saturn pad all by it's lonesome at Vintage Stock today for $5, and if I remember right they have ASCII grip one-handed controllers for $5 as well. Would that be small enough or would I need to cram an original SONY digital PS1 controller in (next smallest I can think of)? Its pretty much soldering the contacts of the Saturn buttons to the PCB of the PS1 pad, right? I think I can do that with not TOO much difficulty (my soldering skills are novice/intermediate, ie: not that great, but I can handle most things). Thanks for everyone helping me with this, BTW.

You COULD do that, Although, rubber topped tact switches would be a better and smaller solution, You will need to trim the PSone pad down a bit. It would probably be best if you grabed a Non-dualshock/analog version.

[CRTGAMER]

You could solder in a gutted PS1 controller circuit board placed inside the Saturn controller, match the buttons up to the PS1 circuit board pads.

I could gut a Saturn controller, snatch a PS one pad and mosh the two together, PSone Controller internals in the Saturn controller.

How hard it that, per se? I found a Saturn pad all by it's lonesome at Vintage Stock today for $5, and if I remember right they have ASCII grip one-handed controllers for $5 as well. Would that be small enough or would I need to cram an original SONY digital PS1 controller in (next smallest I can think of)? Its pretty much soldering the contacts of the Saturn buttons to the PCB of the PS1 pad, right? I think I can do that with not TOO much difficulty (my soldering skills are novice/intermediate, ie: not that great, but I can handle most things). Thanks for everyone helping me with this, BTW.

Mentioned this on my earlier reply. I forgot to mention how much room you need. This trick works if you have enough space like I did converting a Zaxxon Arcade Controller to PSX, PC Keyboard and Atari 2600. Inside is a PSX controller circuit board, PC encoder board and the Atari simply has wires matched up. 3 IDE connectors are my "Jumper Switch".

It is tricky to stuff an additional PSX circuit board inside a Sega controller because you have to keep part of the Sega circuit board for the Sega buttons. Just not enough room for both in there. But if it did fit without shorting against each other, then the PSX circuit board button pads would have to be soldered to the Sega circuit board matching button pads. Sega circuit board button traces will have to be cut to keep the buttons separated. PSX board still has original cable that plugs into Sony console.

Everything above can be done except for physically fitting inside that small controller. Another route is just get a PSX controller you like. There are all kinds of PS1 and PS2 controllers that should work fine.

[M47R1X]

Hmmm... Makes enough sense. I saw this done in which the modder use the PCB from a Tekken 4 stick (just the main part, actually very small). He soldered the Saturn contacts to the PSX traces. Doesn't exactly sound too fun, soldering something that small. The pads seem more reasonable. Does anyone have an ASCII Grip that they can open and show a pic of the PCB? The pad is very small, so it should be a good choice. If not I should be able to pick one up later this week.

[CRTGAMER]

Hmmm... Makes enough sense. I saw this done in which the modder use the PCB from a Tekken 4 stick (just the main part, actually very small). He soldered the Saturn contacts to the PSX traces. Doesn't exactly sound too fun, soldering something that small. The pads seem more reasonable. Does anyone have an ASCII Grip that they can open and show a pic of the PCB? The pad is very small, so it should be a good choice. If not I should be able to pick one up later this week.

You need to maintain part of the original Sega circuit board, it is the other half of the buttons. The soldering is just a careful meticulous process but can be done. The obstacle is fitting the PSX circuit board in there along with existing Sega PCB. The bottom half of most controllers help support existing PCBs so they won't flex when you mash the buttons.

[M47R1X]

So when I take a dremel to the Sega PCB, cut out the middle portion where the buttons aren't, correct? Mainly just keeping enough for support and for the contacts of the buttons?Sorry if all of this sounds 2nd Grade to you guys, I jut have very little experience in the field besides modding my Saturn. Also, what would you suggest I make the select button from? The one off of the PSX pad, or would it be easier/more sensible to install some kind of generic switch/button?

[CRTGAMER]

So when I take a dremel to the Sega PCB, cut out the middle portion where the buttons aren't, correct? Mainly just keeping enough for support and for the contacts of the buttons?Sorry if all of this sounds 2nd Grade to you guys, I jut have very little experience in the field besides modding my Saturn. Also, what would you suggest I make the select button from? The one off of the PSX pad, or would it be easier/more sensible to install some kind of generic switch/button?

Only dumb question is the one not asked.

First thing is open up your Sega controller. That way you know what you are getting into. Cutting away part of the Sega PCB may not work. It is supported by screws and THE BOTTOM half of the controller, little room for the PSX controller and additional jumper wire. Electrically the minimum PCB you need is the pads for each button but there has to be a way of supporting the PCB pads.

If all this does physically fit, a small additional momentary contact (on when pushed) button could be mounted on the side of the controller out of the way of the other buttons.



Really, open that Sega controller up, you will have a better idea what will be involved.

[M47R1X]

K thanks. I just grabbed the Saturn Pad from Vintage Stock, but they sold all of their ASCII Grip pads, which sucks because they were so small. I'll open it later (probably tomorrow) when I get the time.

[DNT 2.5]

You don't have to keep any part of the sega controller, look at some of the portable mods made, and build the buttons similar to that, If it all fits however, there is no point in running the tact route.

[M47R1X]

Alright, I opened her up and this is what I got:



What is outlined in red, I feel I can cut away without taking away too much stability. Still doesn't leave much room, so a very small PSX PCB will still be needed.

Here's the inside of the front and back of the plastic shell:




I found an ASCII grip pad on estarland for $10, the smallest controller for the PSX that I can think of. When it comes in, I'll pull it apart and take a look.

Also, I'm doing this in what I would consider the absolute cheapest way possible. Just using the PSX pad, the Saturn pad, and hot glue, maybe a switch for the select button. Wires will be taken out of the Saturn's cord (won't be using it anyways).

And is it just me, or was there a PSX pad released some time ago that was a keychain controller? I vaguely remember there being a pad for the PSX that was very incredibly small, that it could be used as a keychain. That would be perfect (the cord would suck, though).

[CRTGAMER]

Looks like it might work if there is enough room for the PSX board. Just be sure the original PCB is still solid against the buttons after the cutting. I don't see why you have to take the corners out. On the Sega board, cutting away the traces from the chip and any resisters will prevent any "shorts" in relation to the PSX replacement PCB.