BUTTON BOX | EASY DIY | SIM RACING

Make this easy USB Zero Delay Button Box for your racing simulator setup. You can also use the keyboard encoder like we did in the DIY handbrake video
I had a few buttons and switches left over from previous projects and decide to make a small easy button box.
PARTS
Buttons - ebay.us/xQugR2
Encoder- ebay.us/qRXLuw
Carbon - ebay.us/bhcfmu
Toggle Switch - ebay.us/VpqGxe
BOX - ebay.us/Sc08Ns
Wire- BG bit.ly/3ShlxDN
Best Soldering iron ebay.us/VIwU6k
This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated
All questions and feedback about the project are welcome.
Thank you for watching the videos!
Enjoyed the content consider supporting here / amstudio
If you have any projects you would like to see built leave it in the comments.
This design has been tested on PC
DIY E-BRAKE | Handbrake
• MAKE THIS EASY USB HAN...
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
creativecommon...

[@ryan240sx2]

you know you can make your own website where you can sell usb hanbrakes button boxes and dash screens because every one wants these

[@jamesmuffins3330]

The point is DIY

[@adamhastie231]

Andrew Hawkins24 he should

[@wolfy4734]

yeah, and then everyone will complain because of the prices which can't be realistically reasonable due to him not mass producing these things.

[@marchinop7278]

Great work. One question about using the switch instead of the push button: would not be considered as a "stuck button" creating problem once assigned? Because in the game usually the keys are pressed once to activate and once to deactivate the assigned function.

[@tilenlopan5073]

You do great work! You should start your own company and produce stuff like this! Keep it up..

[@Obliv69]

thanks for the video. i took it one step further. the encoder has 12 buttons, so i wired up all 12. i wired up the MODE connections to a button as it convers the joystick outputs from analog (red LED) to Hat switch (green LED) I then used 2x of the spring loaded on-off-on (3position) switches to the Up/down/left/right sockets. One switch faces up and down, the other faces left and right. by flicking the mode switch i can now get 16 buttons (12 standard + 4 hat switch) If you drill a hole in the side of the case and glue a bit of clear soft drink bottle over the hole to make a cover, you can see when the LED is Green to check you are in hat switch mode.

[@Obliv69]

im currently looking for an actual hat switch to replace the 2x spring loaded switches.

[@zachemlet4173]

So by connecting a button to the mode connection I can wire up four extra buttons to the directional connections?

[@SimRacingPakistan]

Wow was wondering did he do a DIY Button box... and this is my luck day ! GOOD BYE to Super expensive Button Boxes..

[@lapezi]

@@andrewpfeifer2808 yee but why so expensive if you can do one of these under 50 bucks

[@TomBoi]

Dude, you need to release parts lists for all of your DIY builds. They are amazing! Especially the DIY Handbrake, I'm kind of interested to know what parts went into that.

[@CLHall]

Mute the video and watch at 0.5 speed makes things a lot clearer.

[@bogatyr2473]

Thank you for the DIY with the USB controller. Honestly, the Arduino ones I've seen are a bit more than I want to get into.

[@feefeee]

This encoder is so much more convenient than using an arduino! Could see myself making it with this shortcut.

[@amstudioprojects]

Really handy, quick and easy to use.

[@rakowy2128]

But point of making something with arduino is to don't go by shortcuts. Do everything like it should be done step by step, without compromise. Of course it's very nice when you don't want to :). Sry for Eng ofc.

[@toona3590]

@@amstudioprojects hey wherfe can i find that encoder its no more on ebay

[@sean5151]

You learn more with the Arduino ;)

[@DanielGonzalez-hj2er]

instead of those middle switches (number 5, 6, 7 & 8) can i use rotary switches instead? will it work?

[@2ndLastJedi]

Did you get the rotary to work?

[@adamlaws8448]

thanks for the always inspiring videos. I'm new to the sim racing world and have been building my own rig for a while now. your simplistic approach to these projects makes for an ever changing sim racing setup! a true hobby, thank you

[@lforleee2004]

im gonna make this but a bit bigger and with an engine stop and start switch! it is surprising how easy it is if you got the tools

[@amstudioprojects]

Good luck with the project, here is how to wire the start/stop switch if you need kzbin.info/www/bejne/epybeIava9-FldE

[@michaeldavis545]

I was going to comment about the music but then I noticed this was posted 6 years ago. Cheers great video man!

[@luigigreco9731]

dude awesome! this morning has arrived my zero delay and i'm making my own! keep up the good work!

[@amstudioprojects]

Nice! Enjoy the build!

[@daanbrody1841]

hi, from where you get this buttons?

[@TMCHL]

Always inspiring Videos! Keep up good Work...Merry Xmas and happy new year

[@amstudioprojects]

Thanks!

[@jeremycantwell8880]

amstudio I love your vidoes and your ability to create components/accessories, however it would help tremendously if you included everything used with links and tools required for us scrubs :)

[@saulgoodman582]

U should try put it all together in one piece. Sequencial shifter with handbrake and a button box, maybe? Try to use potentiometers for functions such as brake BIAS, TC and ABS like race cars.

[@amstudioprojects]

+digodells86 that's a great idea, yeah I have been thinking of building a main control box.

[@alexandersolovev2113]

Hello, @amstudio, I would like to do this button box. But what about box size? In the link we can see a lot of sizes of this product. Thanks

[@DragonBread]

Can you do a video on how you solder things? Your technique is so much cleaner than mine.

[@amstudioprojects]

Sure can, will add a tutorial soon.

[@mikasaari5379]

Hi! Does this work in Win 7 64-bit? Is this plug & play or do I need a driver? Can I use only the push buttons? I have a Logitech G25 and I want more programmable buttons and a range / splitter to truck simulator.

[@mikasaari5379]

Hi! Can I link those cards two together as a single controller with more buttons? Can I put two those cards with own USB ports to handle more functions?

[@bastienamigo]

Great job ! Is it possible to add a rotary encoder on this board ?

[@Fuchsl01]

Where did you get the Platine and the cables from? Nice build keep on doing these cool vids

[@nathanhigginson6256]

+amstudio the momentary on-off-on switches, when wired to how you did them, activate two buttons at once, how do i fix it?

[@mansboi2254]

Does it work on xbox one with steering wheel?

[@sebadioli2665]

I have a spare Nano V3, and i was wondering... is there any chance i can use that in stead of the usb encoder for this project?

[@1down_6up21]

Can you only use this with a race game ? Or can you use it on every game if you want ?

[@amstudioprojects]

Any game that allows assignable buttons.

[@furrydestroyer8746]

Can it be used on playstations?

[@Shepard_AU]

Are you able to connect LEDs in series with the buttons/switches for this board?

[@brandonryan9582]

Yeah but a real arduino board would be needed so you could use a 5v circuit. This board is a 12v

[@Whitestar127]

@@brandonryan9582 Bit of a late reply, but I think these boards have a few 5V connecting points in them. I seem to recall him connecting LEDs to those in the engine key switch video. Had to use soldering wick to remove the pre-soldered holes first though.

[@Mandrake333]

Thanks for the video, have gotten everything working by following it - maybe a stupid question, but how did you run the USB cable out of the back of the box to make it look nice, just drill a hole in the correct size?

[@AstritArsllani]

quick question: what if i want to add a rotary switch for example changing the brake bias, having a switch that turns left and right is great. will it work for this board and do you have any idea as to how to wire it? ur videos are great btw

[@2ndLastJedi]

Did you find a way to do this?

[@zoranbrasnjo7488]

Hi! How would you make that button 1 is ON position for a very shot time while switch remains in on position? In other words-how do I make switch box with toggle switches ,not momentary switches (using old joystick or keyboard circuit or maybe some arduino board ) to make it so that when I put some switch in on position (it stays in on position physically) it is not constantly on but for a just part of a second in software? This is useful in games and simualtions to see what things are on and what is off, with momentary switch you can't know whether your landing gear for example is up or down because switch is always in neutral position, with toggle switch you can always tell what is on and what is of but the problem is with that signal being always on and you cant play like that it creates problems when using shift ,control and other combinations.

I've been looking for the same exact answer. Did you sold this problem?

[@vborgnet]

Hello. Very cool project. A doubt. The configuration (use) of each button is made within the game. Correct?

[@amstudioprojects]

Yes in game or you can use software like this kzbin.info/www/bejne/oZPYqouwbtiBrZI

[@JuggernuatG]

Can you replace some of the buttons for rotary encoders in this setup?

[@2ndLastJedi]

Did you get the rotary to work?

[@SimRacingLife]

Such an informative video for us non experts, many thanks :)

[@kevynova1]

Great video! Can someone tell me where i can get the actual plastic box? Or What i would call it in search..

[@clanvikingos3117]

Hi, I love all your videos, they are a good help. Where can I get those boxes, what size do you have?

[@stephnalexander]

Could you use rotaries with a joystick encoder

[@2ndLastJedi]

Did you get the rotary to work?

[@PhongphaoArkatsupha]

It's a very good videos. But i have a question I use a usb H-shifter so windows10 see it as the same device. Can you suggest a solution for me

[@combatwombat594]

Your background song here had no reason to go as hard as it did lmao Great video, might give it a few watches once I've had some drinks cuz of the song alone xD

[@tr0wn396]

That button box is perfect for DO lighting or 🚨

[@eartwormrace]

ты клевый чел!!! респект тебе бро!!!

[@KimNabi_cat]

OMG. Big shout out to you on this. I will definitely try this one for sure. That being said, could you lists up the specs and details of parts you used for this build? I'd like to see this one in action too! :)

[@wahyumuhammad8982]

Can i use 3 pin rotary encoder same as push button at Zero Delay USB Encoder ? I wanna make rotary button to quick setting brake balance, fuel mix, etc at rfactor 2 and assetto corsa. My logic is if i turn the rotary encoder clockwise, the result will be same as with i push a pushbutton number 1. Also if i turn the rotary encoder anti-clockwise, the result same as with i push a pushbutton number 2.

[@2ndLastJedi]

Did you get the rotary to work?

[@ericlang513]

Keep on doing great videos and projects like this one!

[@beloved_lover]

Do you know if that same encoder will work with pressure sensor if I made hydraulic handbrake? It would be super easy to make a DIY set of handbrake and sequential shifter with that. Although the problem would be that it's just either on or off then, it doesn't recognise the range of pressure.

[@amstudioprojects]

Best to use a Arduino to read pressure.

[@1zingero]

I made one of these years ago. But it only came with 8 wire connectors but there are clearly more slots. How many more can I connect if I get more wire connectors?

[@carstonswanson6032]

How do you map buttons like these to keys on your keyboard?

[@itzlifzt9501]

In game

[@111Sjaan]

thanks a lot for all your amazing videos!

[@dirtygerty577]

could you add two of those USB Encoders Into a Box to give yourself 24 buttons?... obviously you would have two USB Cables coming out of the box and they would both have to be plugged in.... but could it work like that? Thank you

[@simracer1256]

Okay amstudio - I made this, but when I use the 3 way toggle switches, it is showing as the two joystick buttons being pressed simutaniously when I switch it up or down. Did I get the wrong switches or is my wiring likely to be suspect?

[@Pas31Ta]

Hello dear, excuse the black box to put the buttons where you buy? You could put me the site link. Thank you!

[@lance3128]

Do you need to programme the botton box first or can you just use it

[@amstudioprojects]

Attach the buttons, then plug into PC USB ready to assign in game!

[@lance3128]

amstudio Oke , can you also use this method when you build a diy steering wheel

[@JONYHR]

Nice video !!

[@gabe6278]

Even though this was two years ago, I am wondering if you NEED to solder the wires on or can you just connect the wires to the pins and make it work?

[@BJAntonio46]

Great video and inspired me to make one, but a lot of us would appreciate it even more if you put the parts list in the description. Can you please send me a link to where you got the toggle switches?

[@amstudioprojects]

The toggle switches are from eBay. Search for 3-way toggle.

[@BJAntonio46]

Appreciate it man.

[@pauls5745]

just noting the cheapest China buttons and mini toggles don't last long, maybe 300-400 cycles. on the upside you can get them for dirt cheap on Banggood

[@AbideinChristFully]

Would have liked the links to your switches instead of google searches. Do toggles need to be 5v, like all other switches?

[@rodolfos4052]

What type of wires u have?? I'm thinking to buy the box to start my own project

[@Obliv69]

with the encoder board, can i use both the joystick input AND wire buttons up to the up/down/left/right plugs on the board? (do they work independantly) my thinking is i could us the joystick in games like farm sim/truck sim, and use up/dn/L/R to get an extra 4 buttons out of the board (12 standard buttons + 4 extra for a total of 16) .

[@qing5144]

How to do know where i have to soldering the white and where the blue wire all the time? Is there a tutorial for it?

[@Dukeofslescia]

Hey, great video! Maybe somebody already asked you: would this work for xbox one? Thanks in advance and keep up the good work!!!

[@benjithecarpangler6588]

Thanks for the great videos. Would i be able to use a rotary switch or two in this set up love this one just want to add the rotary switch. I'm bit unsure as the have 3 pins to connect ?

[@2ndLastJedi]

Did you get the rotary to work?

[@miguelschez7]

Hello! What do you use to make these perfect holes???

[@amstudioprojects]

High speed drill bits, start small and work up in sizes for best results.

[@miguelschez7]

amstudio ok thank you, I have to look for a place to get it

[@swa6671]

Where do you find the box that has the grid already on the back like it shows at .03 seconds into the video.

[@2ndLastJedi]

How do you have such a steady hand? Is there any way to add a rotary encoder to this board? I think if anyone can do it it will be you :D

[@fitchyyboi]

yup, just an arduino nano n some basic cod

[@2ndLastJedi]

@@fitchyyboi 🤣

[@parksonian]

I like toggles, but Windows thinking I'm holding down the button is an issue. Is there a way to fool Windows into reading toggle on as a momentary button press, and toggle off as the same button press, using the hardware shown here? I already have one of these boards from another project and would like to avoid buying an Arduino or something similar if possible.

[@japavy4439]

OMG thanks! But I see a little problem. Is there a way for PC, so it doesn't recognize this box as a joystick?

[@ObjectifRacing]

Nice tutorial. Good work. No tutorial coming up with rotary buttons or lighting on button ?

[@amstudioprojects]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/kGi2lGeDf52Fhq8

[@ObjectifRacing]

oh dont see this. Very nice work ! Thanks.

[@vborgnet]

Great project. He would work with most games/simulators? What he would control in the Simulator?

[@christopherbouchard4121]

I am about to start soldering in the next few days on this project. I have a question on how to have a toggle switch setup. I have 3 different toggles switches. One in question has an LED light at the end of the arm on the switch, so there is a 3rd pin for the light. Where would I splice in to make sure the light works?

[@clutchmoto405]

How do i assighn my buttons and what software

[@amstudioprojects]

I use this kzbin.info/www/bejne/oZPYqouwbtiBrZI

[@yaenne110302]

Nice Vid! Can you do a button bix with a keyhole, like in a real car? That would be awesome, thx

[@realgenuinemakour]

Why solder the wires when they have blade connectors already on them?

[@amosk24]

There are a lot of different dimensions for boxes in the link. Which one did you use here?

[@stevenchoy3071]

nice work....u just gt a fresh sucriber if u can make gear box like g27 or g29, then u must be a god

[@stevemurdoch7053]

sweet vid!!! I bought the board and put a box together, but I tried to put a pot in it... I cant get it to work? I tried it in the button part and the axis both no go

[@danielwwf82]

Are the toggle switches momentary On/Off/On? That's what I'm using. I've soldered the wires exactly as shown and when pressed, games, and the Windows joystick config tool thinks I'm pressing 2 buttons. Any ideas?

[@jonathand6039]

Hey, sorry but my english is so bad, i'm french, but can i connect the button box, the sequential shifter and the handbrake on the same USB plate connector ? And can i use one switch take on the arcade stick for build the handbrake? Thx

[@SamPhoenix_]

You could also attach the DIY handbrake to this right? Rather than use an old Keyboard or wire into the G290/29

[@amstudioprojects]

Yeah thats right.

[@anonymousnoname4100]

Does the orientation og the wires matter?

[@Lendercl]

Nope.

[@domkouki]

any chance these are available for purchase??

[@MyLuc97]

Can I plug in 12V buttons to this encoder?

[@OScarTheWhat]

Did you remove all the cables from the USB cord to fit it though the hole?

[@eastsideirish1440]

Can i just plug the buttons into blue and white wires? Or do i have to solder

[@xthepisco12]

Cn i just Plug in the cables in any Random spot on the USB Adapter thing?

[@47kotzur]

Are you planning to make a custom H-shifter or pedals?

[@EGNXPHOTOGRAPHER]

Hi, what does a on, on switch do? Does it have 2 inputs for both positions?

[@Lord_Hands]

an On-On switch, has 2 positions. it will latch(stay on) in either position. there is an On-(On) switch, has 2 positions, but it latches in one position and has a momentary function on the other position, but returns to the original one once you let go.

[@simracer1256]

@amstudio, could I make this a sixteen button box by connecting an additional four buttons to up, down, left and right? Thanks for an easier alternative to Arduino!

[@koaladrift3r258]

whats the box size of this button box and if you use 2 button boxes with the zero delay encoder in them will the pc see them as 2 sepperate boxes or will it think its both the same one and keep up the cool stuff like this awesome video

[@_y_a_q_u_b_]

Can u use multiple usb joysticks for more than 20 buttons?

[@ryan240sx2]

you can use a pcb from a keyboard?

[@amstudioprojects]

Yes, the buttons will be mapped as keystrokes.

[@p3rcepti0n39]

Phenomenal work! Keep it up!

[@amstudioprojects]

Thanks!!

[@javierOrellana3]

now i have one.. but is crash in conflict with my logitech g29, can you help me?

[@drbazik]

Hello :) its possible to connecte potentiometer on the zero delay button box ??

[@pro_gaming_god7227]

is the board able to use potentiometers for pedal or just switches?

[@RaceDriver1]

Damn good job again mate, your videos are always sick. Whats next? A quick release?

[@kevinpollex667]

for the to left corner switch where am i putting the wires or can i use 2 pin on off switch for it instead of the 3 pin

[@salvatoreendboss7446]

Where do I get this USB joystick thingy?

[@tristan7122]

Salvatore Endboss im Asking myself exactly the Same question theres no Link ?!

[@salvatoreendboss7446]

menzáč Thank you! :)

[@xthepisco12]

menzáč You Are the man!

[@tristan7122]

Thank u !

[@Timon_ger04]

Salvatore Endboss description

[@anamikagupta6405]

That's cool men !!!!! but do u think that keyboard chip circuit gonna be function in the same way???

[@naisuuuu]

Are heat-shrinks necessary for this project or is it safe to not use them?

[@Clouder16]

Hello ! I liked your solution about this button box. Can you please tell me, where can buy all this parts ?

[@glauxde4246]

Is there a way to connect the potentiometer from your Analog Handbrake to an Axis of the Joystick Encoder? BTW pls keep up your great work!!

[@Lendercl]

No. the USB Encoder does not support analog input.