Accelerometer for DIY pinball controller

[Calafati]

Hey there,

I am going to build my own controller with flipperbuttons (also ones for magnasave, coin, start and so on).

I intend to start with this set:

https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B075DFNK24/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?smid=A1N1MN91UPB9Z0&psc=1

Two things I am searching for, ideally to combine with that:

- an accelerometer for nudging and tilt-effect

- a plunger (but only second priority)

I somebody able to give a recommendation (preferably available in Germany 😊)?

To confess I am able to solder but not to built up a complicated system so both options only in case it is relatively foolproof 😁

 

I appreciate your suggestions, many thanks in advance

Best regards

Klaus

[deadmanworking]

You can start with the zero delay encoder but if you want a board for nudging and plunger it would make more sense to skip the EGSTARTS board (and cheap buttons) and get a Dude's Cab board from Arnoz, super easy to set up and has all the button connections you'll ever need + nudge capability + plunger support with the POTAR board and 3d printed holder. Plunger something like this - flipper and magnasave buttons: Ultimarc gold leaf buttons, makes a huge difference compared to the clicky arcade buttons!

 

Maybe check out this build with SSF, not a bad starting point. 

 

 

 

[Calafati]

I followed your advice and will now use both the EGSTART-Set (buttons for coins, starting, magna-save etc., just the ones that were pressed not that often) AND the Gold leaf buttons (for "heavy flipper use only").

I will place the nudge-buttons close to the flipper buttons to imitate the feeling/movement ("hit" the whole thing) as close as possible.

For the moment I also will do it without a plunger, just using a button. A real plunger is a possible next step 😁

 

Do you have a recommendation/suggestion for the app/software I could/should use get everything working together?

Many thanks as always for your useful advice & nice weekend!!! I am working with a sloping front which should have some advantages, I will send a photo of my construction in the next days 👍

Edited May 3, 2025 by Calafati

[deadmanworking]

@Calafati, you don't need any further software, Windows will recognize the EGSTARTS as a game controller, search for the settings "set up USB game controllers". The controller will show as Zero delay controller, hit properties and in the following dialogue you will be able to see which button has which number when pressing it, this number you can then assign accordingly in VPX. (the numbers follow the sequence of the JST cables you are inserting on the board. The first plug is button #1 etc) 

[Calafati]

Can you tell me what kind of button is the "Action button" as for example on the Star Trek (Stern 2013) in the middle of the front?

How it is called in VPX in the key settings?

[deadmanworking]

On most tables it's the right magnasave key. But you can usually set it to a key of your liking in the table script. VPX even has a custom key binding for Lockbar/Fire and some (but not all) tables can also use that.

I've mapped all tables with fire button to the plunger / launch ball key so it's consistent with older tables like T2 or Star Trek Next Generation that use the plunger key for that function.