Converting a crane to a joystick

rslaback

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I just won a crane on the bay. My 6 year old is stoked. From the looks of it I am guessing it is an early Grayhound Jumbo Skill. I haven't gone to pick it up yet but that will happen soon.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330461005414&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

In the meantime I want to know what my options might be in terms of converting it to a 4 way joystick with drop fire. It is currently a 2 button. I know that some of the machines are easy to convert and others not so much but I haven't found anything clear cut on which is which.
 
Not sure how to convert to joystick but interested in the responses.

Great score on that auction!
 
like you said some are easy some are not.

Once you get it, pull up the control panel. If you have two or three unused wires there, your probhably all set.

SOme of those came with the joy, some came with the 2 buttons.

From what i know, the original 2 button ones have different pcbs or something..

However, alot of ops ( out of greed) would convert the joystick ones into the back and right button only versions in an attempt to maximize profit.

I have a standard width greyhound crane, so if you find extra wires, lmk, and i can oull my cp up and take a pic of how the stick is wired.

You will want a happ controls joystick like this one:

http://www.happcontrols.com/joysticks/50700800.htm

Im pretty sure mines a 8 way and it works just fine. Prolly had a 4 way originally.
 
From what i know, the original 2 button ones have different pcbs or something..


If it's a standard Greyhound with the 3 board set (cpu board, SS relay board and claw board) then it's an easy conversion. The board set supports either buttons or a joystick via a dip switch setting. Wiring may, or may not, present for a stick, but if missing is easy to add.


Once you get it, let us know exactly what it is for boards in there.

I can tell you, looking at the pic in the auction, that does not appear to be a Greyhound. Those Jumbo skill cranes, like the one in the auction, usually didn't have logic boards in them. They were a super simple relay control system, which you wouldn't be able to convert easily.

D


D
 
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Thanks for the help so far.

In terms of the manufacturer, I wasn't certain that it was a Grayhound. I noted no timer, two buttons and a similar cabinet so I had assumed it was. I tried searching for another with the same marquee and came up empty handed.

Any idea on the actual manufacturer.
 
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