curved encoders on missile command trackballs

DPtwiz

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Does anyone have any idea where I can get the curved encoders on missile command trackball pcb's?? I've been searching with no luck. I need 250 of them.
 
yeah, that i am. That is really the only piece of the puzzle i can't solve.
 
yeah, that i am. That is really the only piece of the puzzle i can't solve.

I'm in Shenzhen China... they have a section of the city that is mind boggling in terms of electronics parts ... all kinds of electronic components... from laser modules, cell phone modules down to discrete components. Its INSANE!!! A billion of every kind of part you can think of.

Before I leave I'll head down town to check it out again... maybe I'll get lucky. Its a bit like finding a needle in a haystack... but I do recall seeing many many kiosks with leds/optical sensors. etc... who knows.
 
the book on MC for the parts list, it's called a "radial optical coupler" i took out one of the encoder pcb's and the only printed on the actual curved reader is OP82208 below that is what looks like a stick figure in a circle, but turned on it's side, then the numbers 7916 i have been looking for the last hour, with no luck!
 
the book on MC for the parts list, it's called a "radial optical coupler" i took out one of the encoder pcb's and the only printed on the actual curved reader is OP82208 below that is what looks like a stick figure in a circle, but turned on it's side, then the numbers 7916 i have been looking for the last hour, with no luck!

OP82208 is the part number. 7916 is a date code (16th week of 1979). This opto coupler is the same one Atari used on their trackball opto boards.....it's also one on a Pole Position steering opto board. I bet they used it on other stuff, too

I thought Dave (Ram Controls) finally found someone to reproduce these....or found a huge stash of NOS ones (not that any of this matters).

I believe the OP in the part number is Optek. They are still in business...
http://www.optekinc.com/

Their minimum to re-make these is probably huge.

Edward
 
i think they used the same or similar for Super/Championship Sprint steering wheels; i had a friend who was looking for some of these and came up blank (ended up with a couple of used opto boards to pull 'em from.) these are going to be a tough find, especially in quantity.
 
the book on MC for the parts list, it's called a "radial optical coupler" i took out one of the encoder pcb's and the only printed on the actual curved reader is OP82208 below that is what looks like a stick figure in a circle, but turned on it's side, then the numbers 7916 i have been looking for the last hour, with no luck!

I believe the correct number is OPB2208, not OP8. From atari vendor list....
"139002-001 INACTIVE_-Opto_Sensor,Slotted(Curved),Dual,Custom TRW-OPTRON OPB2208-1"

Im sure you can have them made, not sure what kind of minimum you would need.
http://www.optekinc.com/
 
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I emailed them, lets see what happens. I can't find curved encoders anywhere.
 
not the same ones.. the Missile Command ones have a curved housing, doesn't use a flat etched metal disk like Tempest. It uses a cyliner shaped wheel with fingers on it, that pass through the sensor. Same product line, probably the same internally, but the housing shape is very important.
 
not the same ones.. the Missile Command ones have a curved housing, doesn't use a flat etched metal disk like Tempest. It uses a cyliner shaped wheel with fingers on it, that pass through the sensor. Same product line, probably the same internally, but the housing shape is very important.

When you use these to replace a OPP2208 they mount in a "V" shape so you still have the curve. The actual sensors are in the exact same position. They should work in a MC trackball.
 
i did not know that.. i did talk to the OEM today, they don't think they even have any specs or technical drawings. They are supposed to call me back.
 
after being in contact with the original manufacturer, they no longer make them, and have none of the specs either, so that project is pretty much toast.
 
FWIW, I took the two optos off my Sinistar joy board I had up and they work. The curvature is pretty much taken care of by the leg placement holes on the board.
 
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