Do It Yourself Button Box Pro Build. part 1 - 4

  • Thread starter clos2727
  • 6 comments
  • 45,003 views
clos2727

clos2727

182
Lesotho
Usa
con-sistant
greating;


I have been working on my button-box build for the last two months and getting ready to release the video on youtube.

The build will consist of;

24 total inputs
3 flip cover toggle switches (power, ignition, and your choice input)
3 momentary on off on mini switch (2 inputs each)
10 varied momentary push buttons
1 engine start button
2 encoders (2 inputs each)
5 function feedback L.E.D's
4 permanent on L.E,D lights (i.e engine start)
2 port usb charger (optional)
Usb will be a detachable aviation plug
Pinyl wrap finish (optional)
And a holder for tablets or smartphones for (your telemetry apps)

NOTE; This build is compatible with any Console that allows you to plug in a keyboard.
and of course a PC


the button box is powered by an arduino pro micro (no keyboard hack)
2 part video.

Complete Step By Step instruction, No need to know anything about programing. All is provided for you.
Programs along with sketch.
all you need to do is purchase the parts necessary for the build.

Plus will be giving away small footprint 20 input button box. for more details visit my channel.
Subscribe to keep informed about video release

(button box build will not include shifter in picture)
This is a 34 input button box. (prototype)
Early rendition of the button box. ( we will be building a smaller version of this.
IMAG0027_BURST002_COVER.jpg

IMAG0023.jpg
IMAG0024.jpg



Courtesy video for those unsure of the complexity of the build.


part 1 DIY Pro Button BOX build (parts and tools)


part 2 (preparing the box)


Part 3

part 4
 
Last edited:
hey guy go check out part 4 of the build. in op.

these are just some pics of the actual button box finished
sorry about the fisheye veiw
GOPR2214.jpg


with the lights on

GOPR2216.jpg

two usb charging ports
GOPR2215.jpg

DPDT toggle switch
GOPR2213.jpg

safety cover switch
power unit
power usb
and ignition
GOPR2212.jpg

usb plugged to device
GOPR2211.jpg

usb powered, works independently from power unit. so you can have the box off and still charge your devices
GOPR2217.jpg

and finaly mounted on my rig
GOPR2219.jpg

stay tuned for part 5
 
hey guys this is the arduino code for the DIY button box

those who are not familiar with arduino.

1) open arduino ide
2) click tools select your board and com
3) start new
4 delete all lines.
5) paste code
verify and upload

Code: 
/*arduino pro micro 24 input Button box with 2 encoders and 5 fuction led
porgramed to be compatible with all devices that have keyboard compatibility
this sketch was created/altered and designed
by Carlos Reyes
with help from the arduino community and libraries
on august 2016
for the purpose of DIY project on youtube channel
metadata is still in progress so search
2727clos, carlos reyes, clos2727, clos reyes, or game on
email clos2727@yahoo.com */
//version 1.00   encoders confirmed and working
//version 1.50,  added buttons to sequential shifter
//version 2.00   removed shifter added keyboard press
//version 2.50   added 5 led lights
//version 3.00   debugging buttons and led function
//version 3.50   button presses are synced with led lights (final)

// button box version   V3.50
//

/* note
 *  if using leonardo be sure to change pin numbers as pin numbers on pro micro differ.
 */


#include <Keypad.h> 
#include <Keyboard.h>


#define ENABLE_PULLUPS
#define NUMROTARIES 2
#define NUMBUTTONS 24
#define NUMROWS 5
#define NUMCOLS 5


//define the symbols on the buttons of the keypads               
char buttons[NUMROWS][NUMCOLS] = {
  {'a','b','c','d'},     // 4      // col pins
  {'e','f','g','h'},     // 5
  {'i','j','k','l'},     // 6
  {'m','n','o','p'},     // 7   
  {'q','r','s','t'}      // 8
   // row pins
 // 9  14  15   16
};

struct rotariesdef {
  byte pin1;
  byte pin2;
  int ccwchar;
  int cwchar;
  volatile unsigned char state;
};
  //{encoder pins,characters press 
rotariesdef rotaries[NUMROTARIES] {
  {0,1,'u','v',},      // encoder connected to pin 0 and 1 middle pin is ground
  {2,3,'w','x',},      // encoder connected to pin 2 and 3 middle pin is ground
};

#define ledpinA10 A10
#define ledpinA0 A0
#define ledpinA1 A1
#define ledpinA2 A2
#define ledpinA3 A3



#define DIR_CCW 0x10
#define DIR_CW 0x20

#define R_START 0x0
#define R_CW_FINAL 0x1
#define R_CW_BEGIN 0x2
#define R_CW_NEXT 0x3
#define R_CCW_BEGIN 0x4
#define R_CCW_FINAL 0x5
#define R_CCW_NEXT 0x6


boolean ledA0_state;
boolean ledA1_state;
boolean ledA2_state;
boolean ledA3_state;
boolean ledA7_state;
boolean ledA10_state;

unsigned long loopCount;
unsigned long startTime;
String msg;

const unsigned char ttable[7][4] = {
  // R_START
  {R_START,    R_CW_BEGIN,  R_CCW_BEGIN, R_START},
  // R_CW_FINAL
  {R_CW_NEXT,  R_START,     R_CW_FINAL,  R_START | DIR_CW},
  // R_CW_BEGIN
  {R_CW_NEXT,  R_CW_BEGIN,  R_START,     R_START},
  // R_CW_NEXT
  {R_CW_NEXT,  R_CW_BEGIN,  R_CW_FINAL,  R_START},
  // R_CCW_BEGIN
  {R_CCW_NEXT, R_START,     R_CCW_BEGIN, R_START},
  // R_CCW_FINAL
  {R_CCW_NEXT, R_CCW_FINAL, R_START,     R_START | DIR_CCW},
  // R_CCW_NEXT
  {R_CCW_NEXT, R_CCW_FINAL, R_CCW_BEGIN, R_START},
};


byte rowPins[NUMROWS] = {4,5,6,7,8,}; //connect to the row pinouts of the keypad
byte colPins[NUMCOLS] = {9,14,15,16,}; //connect to the column pinouts of the keypad

//initialize an instance of class NewKeypad
Keypad buttbx = Keypad( makeKeymap(buttons), rowPins, colPins, NUMROWS, NUMCOLS);
 

void setup() {   
//  initialize all analog pins as output     
  pinMode(ledpinA1,OUTPUT); 
  pinMode(ledpinA0,OUTPUT);
  pinMode(ledpinA2,OUTPUT);
  pinMode(ledpinA3,OUTPUT);
  pinMode(ledpinA10,OUTPUT);

  analogWrite(ledpinA0,128);
  analogWrite(ledpinA1,128);
  analogWrite(ledpinA2,128);
  analogWrite(ledpinA3,128); 
  analogWrite(ledpinA10,128);
 
 
  digitalWrite(ledpinA3,HIGH); 
  digitalWrite(ledpinA0,HIGH); 
  digitalWrite(ledpinA2,HIGH);
  digitalWrite(ledpinA1,HIGH);
  digitalWrite(ledpinA10,HIGH);

  delay(200);
  digitalWrite(ledpinA3,LOW);
  digitalWrite(ledpinA0,LOW); 
  digitalWrite(ledpinA1,LOW); 
  digitalWrite(ledpinA2,LOW);
  digitalWrite(ledpinA10,LOW);
 
 
  delay(200);
  digitalWrite(ledpinA3,HIGH);
  digitalWrite(ledpinA0,HIGH);
  digitalWrite(ledpinA1,HIGH); 
  digitalWrite(ledpinA2,HIGH);
  digitalWrite(ledpinA10,HIGH);
 
 
  delay(200);
  digitalWrite(ledpinA10,LOW);
  digitalWrite(ledpinA0,LOW); 
  digitalWrite(ledpinA1,LOW); 
  digitalWrite(ledpinA2,LOW);
  digitalWrite(ledpinA3,LOW);
 
 
  delay(200);

  // led final setup all led stay on
  digitalWrite(ledpinA3,HIGH);
  delay(300);
  digitalWrite(ledpinA10,HIGH);
  delay(300);
  digitalWrite(ledpinA2,HIGH);
   delay(300);
  digitalWrite(ledpinA1,HIGH);
  delay(300);
  digitalWrite(ledpinA0,HIGH);
  delay(300);
 

  digitalWrite(ledpinA10,LOW);
  digitalWrite(ledpinA0,LOW); 
  digitalWrite(ledpinA1,LOW); 
  digitalWrite(ledpinA2,LOW);
  digitalWrite(ledpinA3,LOW);
 
 
  delay(200);
 
 
  digitalWrite(ledpinA3,HIGH); 
  digitalWrite(ledpinA1,HIGH); 
  digitalWrite(ledpinA2,HIGH);
  digitalWrite(ledpinA0,HIGH);
  digitalWrite(ledpinA10,HIGH);

  delay(200);
  digitalWrite(ledpinA10,LOW);
  digitalWrite(ledpinA0,LOW); 
  digitalWrite(ledpinA1,LOW); 
  digitalWrite(ledpinA2,LOW);
  digitalWrite(ledpinA3,LOW);
 
 
  delay(200);
  digitalWrite(ledpinA3,HIGH);
  digitalWrite(ledpinA0,HIGH);
  digitalWrite(ledpinA1,HIGH); 
  digitalWrite(ledpinA2,HIGH);
  digitalWrite(ledpinA10,HIGH);
 
 
  delay(200);
  digitalWrite(ledpinA10,LOW);
  digitalWrite(ledpinA0,LOW); 
  digitalWrite(ledpinA1,LOW); 
  digitalWrite(ledpinA2,LOW);
  digitalWrite(ledpinA3,LOW);
 

   // led final setup all led stay on
    digitalWrite(ledpinA3,HIGH);
  delay(200);
  digitalWrite(ledpinA10,HIGH);
  delay(200);
  digitalWrite(ledpinA2,HIGH);
   delay(200);
  digitalWrite(ledpinA1,HIGH);
  delay(200);
  digitalWrite(ledpinA0,HIGH);
  delay(200);
 

  digitalWrite(ledpinA10,LOW);
  digitalWrite(ledpinA0,LOW); 
  digitalWrite(ledpinA1,LOW); 
  digitalWrite(ledpinA2,LOW);
  digitalWrite(ledpinA3,LOW);
 

  digitalWrite(ledpinA10,HIGH);
  digitalWrite(ledpinA0,HIGH);
  digitalWrite(ledpinA1,HIGH); 
  digitalWrite(ledpinA2,HIGH);
  digitalWrite(ledpinA3,HIGH);
 


    
 
  Keyboard.begin();
  rotary_init();
}
void loop() {
      
  CheckAllEncoders();

  CheckAllButtons();
}
void CheckAllButtons(void) {
  char key = buttbx.getKey();

  if (key == 'a')  {
    Keyboard.write(key);
    digitalWrite(ledpinA10,LOW);
    delay(150);
    Keyboard.release(key);
    digitalWrite(ledpinA10,HIGH);
  }
 
  if (key == 'b')  {
    Keyboard.write(key);
    digitalWrite(ledpinA10,LOW);
    delay(150);
    Keyboard.release(key);
    digitalWrite(ledpinA10,HIGH);
   }
     if (key == 'c')  {
    Keyboard.write(key);
    digitalWrite(ledpinA10,LOW);
    delay(150);
    Keyboard.release(key);
    digitalWrite(ledpinA10,HIGH);
  }
  if (key == 'd')  {
    Keyboard.write(key);
    digitalWrite(ledpinA10,LOW);
    delay(150);
    Keyboard.release(key);
    digitalWrite(ledpinA10,HIGH); 
  }
  if (key == 'e')  {
    Keyboard.write(key);
    digitalWrite(ledpinA10,LOW);
    delay(150);
    Keyboard.release(key);
    digitalWrite(ledpinA10,HIGH);   
  }
  if (key == 'f')  {
    Keyboard.write(key);
    digitalWrite(ledpinA10,LOW);
    delay(150);
    Keyboard.release(key);
    digitalWrite(ledpinA10,HIGH);
      
  }
    if (key == 'g'){
   Keyboard.write('g');
   digitalWrite(ledpinA2,LOW);
    delay(150);
    Keyboard.release('g');
    digitalWrite(ledpinA2,HIGH);
    }
  if (key == 'h')  {
    Keyboard.write(key);
    digitalWrite(ledpinA2,LOW);
    delay(150);
    Keyboard.release(key);
    digitalWrite(ledpinA2,HIGH);   
  }
  if (key == 'i')  {
    Keyboard.write(key);
    digitalWrite(ledpinA3,LOW);
    delay(150);
    Keyboard.release(key);
    digitalWrite(ledpinA3,HIGH); 
  }
  if (key == 'j')  {
    Keyboard.write(key);
    digitalWrite(ledpinA2,LOW);
    delay(150);
    Keyboard.release(key);
    digitalWrite(ledpinA2,HIGH);   
  }
  if (key == 'k')  {
    Keyboard.write(key);
    digitalWrite(ledpinA2,LOW);
    delay(150);
    Keyboard.release(key);
    digitalWrite(ledpinA2,HIGH);   
  }
  if (key == 'l')  {
    Keyboard.write(key);
    digitalWrite(ledpinA2,LOW);
    delay(150);
    Keyboard.release(key);
    digitalWrite(ledpinA2,HIGH);   
  }
  if (key == 'm')  {
    Keyboard.write(key);
    digitalWrite(ledpinA1,LOW);
    delay(150);
    Keyboard.release(key);
    digitalWrite(ledpinA1,HIGH); 
  }
  if (key == 'n')  {
    Keyboard.write(key);
    digitalWrite(ledpinA1,LOW);
    delay(150);
    Keyboard.release(key);
   digitalWrite(ledpinA1,HIGH);
  }
  if (key == 'o')  {
    Keyboard.write(key);
    digitalWrite(ledpinA1,LOW);
    delay(150);
    digitalWrite(ledpinA1,HIGH);
    Keyboard.release(key);
      
  }
  if (key == 'p')  {
    Keyboard.write(key);
    digitalWrite(ledpinA1,LOW);
    delay(150);
    digitalWrite(ledpinA1,HIGH);
    Keyboard.release(key);
      
    }
 
  if (key == 'q')  {
    Keyboard.write(key);
    delay(150);
    Keyboard.release(key);
    
  }
  if (key == 'r')  {
    Keyboard.write(key);
    digitalWrite(ledpinA1,LOW);
    delay(150);
    Keyboard.release(key);
    digitalWrite(ledpinA1,HIGH);
  }
  if (key == 's')  {
    Keyboard.write(key);
    digitalWrite(ledpinA1,LOW);
    delay(150);
    Keyboard.release(key);
    digitalWrite(ledpinA1,HIGH);
  }
 if (key == 't')  {
    Keyboard.write(key);
    digitalWrite(ledpinA0,LOW);
    delay(150);
    digitalWrite(ledpinA0,HIGH);
    Keyboard.release(key);
    
  }
  /*if (key == 's')  {
    Keyboard.write(key);
    digitalWrite(ledpinA10,LOW);
    delay(150);
    Keyboard.release(key);
    digitalWrite(ledpinA10,HIGH);
  }
  if (key == 't')  {
    Keyboard.write(key);
    digitalWrite(ledpinA2,LOW);
    delay(150);
    Keyboard.release(key);
    digitalWrite(ledpinA2,HIGH);
  }*/
        
}
/* Call this once in setup(). */
void rotary_init() {
  for (int i=0;i<NUMROTARIES;i++) {
    pinMode(rotaries[i].pin1, INPUT);
    pinMode(rotaries[i].pin2, INPUT);
    #ifdef ENABLE_PULLUPS
      digitalWrite(rotaries[i].pin1, HIGH);
      digitalWrite(rotaries[i].pin2, HIGH);
      #endif
  }
}


/* Read input pins and process for events. Call this either from a
 * loop or an interrupt (eg pin change or timer).
 *
 * Returns 0 on no event, otherwise 0x80 or 0x40 depending on the direction.
 */
unsigned char rotary_process(int _i) {
   unsigned char pinstate = (digitalRead(rotaries[_i].pin2) << 1) | digitalRead(rotaries[_i].pin1);
  rotaries[_i].state = ttable[rotaries[_i].state & 0xf][pinstate];
  return (rotaries[_i].state & 0x30);
}



void CheckAllEncoders(void) {
  for (int i=0;i<NUMROTARIES;i++) {
    unsigned char result = rotary_process(i);
    if (result) {
      Keyboard.write(result == DIR_CCW ? rotaries[i].ccwchar : rotaries[i].cwchar );

        //detects array characters assigned to a specific encoders and blinks led
        // ccw = counter clockwise
        //cw =clock
        // (rotaries[i].ccwchar being used below in the if statement,
        //will call all characters in ccwchar scope.
      if(rotaries[i].ccwchar == 'u'){          //  blink led from any rotation               
      digitalWrite(ledpinA0,LOW);
      delay(50);
      digitalWrite(ledpinA0,HIGH);
      delay(50);
    }
   if(rotaries[i].ccwchar == 'w'){                         
      digitalWrite(ledpinA0,LOW);
      delay(50);
      digitalWrite(ledpinA0,HIGH);
      delay(50);
    }
      
      

    }
   }
}
 
Hi, I am looking to build my 2nd button box, my fist button box I used an old USB keyboard’s circuit board and soldered onto the tracks. I’m looking to make one using a Teensy or Pro Micro.

When using the Pro Micro I keep getting errors on the script when I “Verify” the copy and paste script onto the Arduino IDE Application. But when I “Veryfy” the script from the Applications examples etc they comeback fine, no errors! Any help is much appreciated. I’m only looking to do a basic button box for Project Cars, to assign buttons in the game for stuff like car assists, wipers, lights etc... thanks
 

Latest Posts

Back