Road Blasters - Control Panel Help!

[Rommager]

Hi all,

I have used 2 semi-working Road Blasters control panels to make one good control panel, but I am still short on control panel parts to complete this project (2 control panels didn't have enough parts - Go figure)

I am looking for a place to get replacement switches for the steering wheel buttons for Road Blasters.. I have been looking around Bob Roberts, Happ, etc, but trying to find this specific type of switch is like trying to find a needle in a haystack! The best way I can describe it is as a PCB mount plunger switch that is attached to a tiny PCB and is mounted in the steering wheel.

Also, for anyone familiar with Road Blasters switches, you might also know where I can get the little red actuator that fits into the plunger on the switch, and allows the button cap to successfully depress the plunger.. Yea, I need one of those too..

Finally, the steering wheel grips are loose and wobbly. Was there originally some grommets in the steering handles that snugged it up, or did they just get sloppy and loose after constant wear?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Fibonacci]

Can you post a pic of the switches? We might be able to find you a replacement for those from Mouser or Digikey without too much hassle.

 

[7146aaron]

Hi all,

I have used 2 semi-working Road Blasters control panels to make one good control panel, but I am still short on control panel parts to complete this project (2 control panels didn't have enough parts - Go figure)

I am looking for a place to get replacement switches for the steering wheel buttons for Road Blasters.. I have been looking around Bob Roberts, Happ, etc, but trying to find this specific type of switch is like trying to find a needle in a haystack! The best way I can describe it is as a PCB mount plunger switch that is attached to a tiny PCB and is mounted in the steering wheel.

Also, for anyone familiar with Road Blasters switches, you might also know where I can get the little red actuator that fits into the plunger on the switch, and allows the button cap to successfully depress the plunger.. Yea, I need one of those too..

Finally, the steering wheel grips are loose and wobbly. Was there originally some grommets in the steering handles that snugged it up, or did they just get sloppy and loose after constant wear?

Thanks in advance!

Try e-mailing bob he has alot of stuff that is not listed on the site.

 

[Rommager]

I'll snap some pics when I get home tonight. It was the same switch in both Road Blasters control panels, so I was hoping to find someone who knew what the standard switch was.

If no luck, then I will try shooting Bob an e-mail too.

Thanks for the advice thus far!

 

[pat9000]

There are 2 types of panels for RB: the dedicated, which has metal Star Wars handles; and the kit, which has blue plastic handles with red trigger buttons. You have the kit panels.

The switches used in these were actually used in keyboards (though nobody makes keyboards like that anymore). Vindicators 1 & 2 also used those controls, as well as some Namco games.. Starblade, Galaxian Theater.

I got those switches from Mazzco a few years ago, but they are long gone now.. a distributor might have them, try calling Betson with the Atari or Namco part number for them.

 

[Rommager]

That's an "AHA!" moment. I thought the switches look vaguely familiar. If nothing else, I can probably find an old keyboard that has these switches in it to rob it for parts.

If I ramble thru my old keyboards and have no luck, then I will try calling around.

Thanks for the info on the dedicated vs conversion panels. Now I know to keep my eyes peeled for the better quality panel.

Thanks again, Pat!

 

[dmbj]

I know a guy that had a bunch of nos ones. I have been wanting to stop by his place to pick up a tron that i have there. i hope my machine is still there anyway. i'll ask him if he still has some.

 

[treborlicec]

I have the conversion panel too. I'd take 4 NOS switches for it if they are cheap enough.

Robert

 

[Rommager]

While I am working on obtaining the needed switches, does anyone have any tricks or advice for snugging up the the plastic handles to the metal frame of the steering wheel? I figure I could possibly use some vinyl electrical tape to tighten it up, but I would like something a little less ghetto and a little more of a permanent solution.

Both of the CPs I had were loose and wobbly when I got them, so I am just trying to figure out if there's a set of grommets that I'm missing, or if the conversion CP handles just get worn and loose over time on their own.

 

[Mylstar]

I have what you need on my parts site.

www.videogameparts.com

 

[DustyBri]

Try e-mailing bob he has alot of stuff that is not listed on the site.

I think the "Broken Grip Pieces" he has listed on his Flea Market page( http://www.therealbobroberts.net/fm.html )may be from a RoadBlasters game – see pic attached. I am not sure if they match your version or not.

 

[Rommager]

Hey Dusty - Good catch! Those are definitely RB parts! Looks exactly like the kinda parts I need. I'll e-mail Bob about it, as it looks like this should give me enough extra switches (and actuators) to finish the job. NOS switches would be nice, but not at $10.00 a pop, especially because I imagine that I could have an old keyboard full of these switches.

Now I just need to figure out the best way to snug up the grips.

 

[pat9000]

If you end up buying used switches, have the seller test them.. as you know, they fail often.

 

[Rommager]

That is very true, but being as I already have 2-3 switches, still need one of the little red actuators, and have a big list of parts already saved up for Bob, I will probably just snag this up. It's better to have too many parts than not enough!

If the switches are bad, then I can always start tearing the house up looking more replacement switches from the stack of old keyboards I have. Worst case scenario is I have to find a supplier that sells them or drop $10.00 on replacements.

 

[D_Zoot]

For a reasonably cheap fix, head over to Radio Shack and snag two packages of part number 275-609 (each package comes with one black and one red switch). These switches can be made to fit into the original handle with very little modification and once reassembled look damn near exactly like the original buttons. Also these switches are a more robust than the original setup and will hold up much better.

The button "feel" is a little firmer, so if you are a purist, this may not be a good solution.

I've got pictures somewhere of the last one I did, if interested I can try to find them.

D

 

[Rommager]

Hey there D Zoot,

Thanks for the suggestion. Actually, years ago I used to work at the Shack and think I know the exact switches you are referring to. I would have never thought about using that particular switch for this purpose, but now that I think about it, you are right, it probably would work very well!

Anyhow, I snatched up the extra parts that Bob had, so if the extra switches don't work, I will probably go that route. It sure beats trying to find switches that haven't been manufactured in 10 years!

Thanks!

Sean

 

[Rommager]

Just a quick update that may help others with Road Blasters problems:

I found some buttons at radioshack that seem to work fairly well. They are momentary switches, they come in a pack of 2, one is dark red, the other is black. They aren't exact, but they do fit well enough (you have to drill out a little bit of the inside of the handle - to literally fit a round peg into a square hole) and with a little bit of super glue to glue the nut to the switch, it stays put. As far as tightening up the loose and wobbly handles, I found that taking a regular neoprene washer, and stretching it over the round parts of the inside handle piece (the part that goes through the holes in the metal bracket) tightened up the handles, and made the steering wheel nice and snug again.

Now, I am enjoying Road Blasters!

I hope this info can help the next person with this problem. If you need any extra explanation, then please let me know.

 

[gibbous]

Vindicators switches/buttons

Working on my Vindicators turret rotation buttons, thought I'd bump this thread with some more info.

The switches used are Omron B3GS switches, as mentioned, used in old style computer keyboards:

I don't know how many dozens of those keyboards I've thrown out over the years.

Outside of those, the switches from Japanese Sanwa made buttons are similar, as are the buttons I pulled out of my Hori Fighting Stick 3. Not sure of any stateside sources yet. Going to try to fit one of those switches in and see how it goes.

 

[gibbous]

I may have found a source for these switches in case anyone's looking:

http://www.timeharvest.net/product_...ERIES/Microswitch/Small Black Microswitch.jpg

 

[DustyBri]

Well, since this is at the top again I just thought I would go ahead and post the information I have about the thumb switches for the "dedicated" (black handle) version of the RoadBlasters control panel in case anyone happens to need it too.

Philmore / LKG Industries – Rockford, IL
Sub-mini Snap Action Switch with Pin Plunger
SPDT, Solder Terminal
No. 30-2500

It was the closest match I could find a few years ago at a local store called Synergy Datacom. Not sure who else would carry it but with this info it might help someone else track one down.