PC to Apple II DIY Joystick Adaptor

I really enjoy little projects that I can build out of "stuff". So here is a nifty little design so you can use a more common 15-pn PC Joystick on an Apple II.
Parts:
Male DB9 connector and Shell
Female DB15 connector and Shell
2x a length of multi-core (at least 7) cable
2x 680ohm Resistors
2x 100nf Caps (I used Tantalums, but ceramics may work?)
A bit of perf board.
3D printed box: www.thingiverse.com/thing:470...
Basic test program:
10 PRINT PDL(0)" "PDL(1):GOTO 10
Original Schematic found here: www.apple2faq.com/knowledgebas...
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[@BigCar2]

Thanks for this - very interesting! You may want to show a circuit diagram before you do the project, so we can see what's planned.

[@grapowski]

Hey! What a good surprise seeing you here!

[@erinwiebe7026]

I no longer have a IIe or //c, but I do have a IIe card, a floppy drive and one disk which is of course, Lode Runner. I've been looking for a joystick for it off and on for some years and was lucky to find one for $10 (CAN) a few months ago. They are getting hard to find, especially at a reasonable price, so I'm sure your little project will really help someone out!

[@ctrlaltrees]

Takes me back to the early days of my channel and my "One Joystick To Rule Them All" DIY adapter series. 😃 Good work! I love little projects like this and making things work with other things.

[@enzofitzhume7320]

Advanced basic program for full testing of Apple joystick: with buttons output: 10 A = PDL (0) 20 B = PDL (1) 30 C = PEEK (49249) 40 D = PEEK (49250) 50 PRINT "X:";A;" Y:";B; 60 IF C > 127 THEN PRINT " 0"; 70 IF D > 127 THEN PRINT " 1"; 80 PRINT 90 GOTO 10

[@CheshireNoir]

I built exactly the same circuit and used ceramic disc caps without a problem. :-) I like the detail you went to.

[@PixelMaker04]

Very nice. I need to make me one of these for my extra IBM joystick to use for my Apple ][ systems. Mine both need new pots, and they cost just about as much if not more that a replacement Apple joystick.

[@CommodoreGreg]

Excellent tutorial! The presentation of parts selected/needed and wiring was so much clearer than the average KZbin video. Really useful!

[@andrewlittleboy8532]

You could probably measure the 'tuned' value of the trim pots and replace them with resistors of the exact value.

[@AndyAyres]

I love seeing these little projects!

[@OzRetrocomp]

Thanks for reminding me of one of my new year's resolutions: get my hands on an Apple IIc or IIe. My other new year's resolution is 640x480.

[@andrewlittleboy8532]

Happy new year!

[@TrudgeRC]

This will be very useful indeed. Thanks for sharing!

[@parrottm76262]

Agreed! Love little projects like this.

[@Imperious685]

I made this same thing up about a year ago for my IIe, same reason the sticks plus shipping from USA is too expensive. Works great. I'm in Brissy and also have a Jaycar just down the road which comes in handy quite often. I've got about 7 of these boxes made up for various retro computer adaptors. I just subscribed, great channel.

[@VK2FVAX]

Nice idea. Should do something similar when I dig my //gs out and get it working again.

[@starsundsternchen802]

Well done.

[@RetroTechChris]

Very cool. Loved the method you used to adjust! And I am loving all of the Mr. Lurch videos of late. And looking forward to meeting subscriber #5000! Oh, and your statement "no sense in making it if I am not going to use it," as you know, I can identify with that, haha!! Happy New Year!!

[@BCjeffro420]

great thanks

[@falksweden]

(c) 2020 seems a bit old ;) Nice little project! Well done!

[@MrLurchsThings]

Hah. Force of habit. Although it was edited in 2020 😂

[@EvilXyzzy]

I used to make kits for an adapter like this and they were sold by ReactiveMicro. I put the boards up on OSHPark if anyone wants to make them. oshpark.com/shared_projects/9ZZ7RpPH and you can find the documentation with schematics and assembly instructions here www.philosophyofsound.com/A2/manuals/IBMtoA2JoystickAdapter.pdf Not my circuit, just my board layout. The transistors make it work better with some joysticks with Autofire options.

[@elfenmagix8173]

Excellent video. Odd though as I have. Radio Shack PC/Apple joystick and it does not have such adapter circuit in a box, just a Y-cable to connect the PC or Apple to.

[@SireSquish]

I have a few Apple 2 joysticks back at home. Hmm.

[@terosaarela4555]

Happy 2021and thanks for the video! The schematic in the link makes much more sense now. I was wondering if the metal screwdriver is affecting the trim pot reading while adjusting?

[@MrLurchsThings]

No. It’d be my clumsy thumbs causing it

[@dant5464]

Makes me wonder if this could be deadbugged to the back of either connector, or even split between them if it won't fit in a single connector housing.

[@ownpj]

7:40 get a small drill bit, or buy a spot face cutter from jaycar

[@JamesPotts]

Your fingers were affecting the capacitance when you were tuning, which made it harder to dial in.

[@MrLurchsThings]

Yup. Was later on I realised this was happening. Downside of trying to keep it small.

[@CommodoreGreg]

@@MrLurchsThings Just get a set of CRT adjustment tools. They are all plastic for a reason.

[@michaelsworkshop9031]

Any chance someone can whip up a small PCB (and the part numbers of some recommended potentiometers)? Great video!

[@ownpj]

So when is that Jaycar sponsorship going to eventuate?

[@orinokonx01]

Nice little adapter! I like the workflow. Very easy to follow. Regarding Jaycar, have you had issues with stock levels? My local (Melbourne CBD) is out of stock for all SMD tantalum and electrolytic capacitors. My LCII needs recapping, along with everything else! :D Nice side cutters... I have the exact same one!

[@MrLurchsThings]

I’m pretty sure Jaycar has stopped stocking SMD caps completely. I haven’t been able to buy them from there in ages.

[@orinokonx01]

@@MrLurchsThings that's really disappointing of them. The whole point is that they are a bit more pricey than buying online, but having the convenience of popping down there to get something you need 'now'. Slowly turning into Dick Smith...

[@FindecanorNotGmail]

None of these connectors are DB connectors. They are a DE-9 and a DA-15. And the prototyping board is a "stripboard". A "perfboard" has islands, not strips.

[@misteroculto4755]

Can this adapter be used on an Apple IIgs ???

[@tenminutetokyo2643]

DOOD!