720 Driving me crazy!!!

Reddogg

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My 720 has been playing great for months until recently when my skater started getting off a bit (about 20 degrees or so, one box on the calibration screen) during game play and calibration. So, I decided to order some new optic discs (encoder, and centering disc) from RAM Controls. They actually sent me the wrong package. I ordered the deluxe, but they sent me the premium which included a new dust disc, grease, and a new dual coupler optic board as well. So, I began by putting both of the new discs on. And when I powered up, the joystick calibrated normally, but still a little off like before, and the game played just as before (the skater was still off about 20 degrees).

So, I then decided to put the new dual coupler board on to hopefully fix that issue, and here's where the fun began! I powered on and went straight to calibrate the joystick. But it zeroed automatically. Then I tried to rotate counterclockwise, but only the first block past 12 o'clock (going ccw) would go solid. None of the others would go solid, and no matter how many times I tried, the same result persisted.

So, I put my original optic board back on, and the same problem! I could not calibrate, and could not control the skater at all during game play. BUT, it worked fine the first time I tried it with the new discs, and my old optic board!

I went back and triple checked every connection to the optic board, and I even went back to square one with my original bent discs and original optic board, but I still have the same problem! I can no longer calibrate the joystick or play the game!

I know some might be thinking that I left something out about what I did, but I did exactly how I just described.

I have taken the joystick apart, cleaned it, lubed it, and replaced parts on it in the past few months a couple of times (a part here and there each time), so I am well versed in how it's pieced together, but I can not figure this out.

Has anyone ever heard of anything like this?

Anyone know what might be wrong?

Is it at all possible that the new optic board "fried" something, and that's why I now can't play 720?

I am pulling my hair out as I type.
 
WOW!!! Unfreakinbelievable!!!!!

After writing the above post, and taking a short break, I went back to work trying to figure this problem out. And on the first startup, it calibrated correctly, and is now playing again (with old discs, and optic board)!

I have no idea!

I described everything in these 2 posts in the exact order and method that I actually did them.

Has anyone ever experienced such weird happenings with a 720 before?
 
Turns out the new dual coupler optic board from RAM Controls is a P.O.S.!!! Does not work!!!

Thank GAWD I didn't pay for it!

My old Atari one still works though!

I didn't mention it before, but the discs are not the correct size either. You, or I did at least, have to push down on them to get them to "snap" into place. Doing this can easily cause a slight bend in them, and did!

Props to RAM Controls for sending me some free shyte, but if you're advertising exact replacement, then make them exact.
 
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ive rebuilt two sticks and those optics dics just fit tight. you have to be very careful when you push them down. i would say the orginials were the same way at the time.

so is the stick working all the time now or just some times.

when i bought my 720 the seller said the stick would not 0 in. i rebuilt the stick added all new parts and also replaced all on the dual coupler. when i fired the game up the stick would not 0 in-- but the skater would spin just fine. i tried everything even rewired the entire harness(to zero in the stick) with no luck.

i then read some post about starting the game with the stick pointing in a certain direction and the skater will point north....so i started turning off and on the game with changing the direction of the stick and seeing were the skater was pointing at start of the game.

finally i found if i point the stick at 3 oclock and start the game the skater will point north everytime.

so after this i have not put anymore time into trying to get the stick to o out. these machines are just so old and it could be anything.

good luck,

chad
 
ive rebuilt two sticks and those optics dics just fit tight. you have to be very careful when you push them down. i would say the orginials were the same way at the time.

so is the stick working all the time now or just some times.

when i bought my 720 the seller said the stick would not 0 in. i rebuilt the stick added all new parts and also replaced all on the dual coupler. when i fired the game up the stick would not 0 in-- but the skater would spin just fine. i tried everything even rewired the entire harness(to zero in the stick) with no luck.

i then read some post about starting the game with the stick pointing in a certain direction and the skater will point north....so i started turning off and on the game with changing the direction of the stick and seeing were the skater was pointing at start of the game.

finally i found if i point the stick at 3 oclock and start the game the skater will point north everytime.

so after this i have not put anymore time into trying to get the stick to o out. these machines are just so old and it could be anything.

good luck,

chad

Mine now works great again, and zeroes just fine. Perhaps the original discs were tight as well, but the originals that I have go on very easily. They even fall off by themselves if at an angle.

I do have to give my stick a spin when I start a game (when you choose the level) in order to orient the skater/calibrate him north (or up).
 
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