VKB Gunfighter Mk3 with F-14 Tomcat grip issue after two months (red blinking light on the right side of the blackbox)

[glloq]

Hello,

Posting here as a last hope after no response from support (ticket #3655 ) and before looking for a way to get my money back ...

Content of the ticket:

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Hello,

As the title say, i've been playing for two months (about 50 flights hours) with my VKB Gunfighter Mk3 and its F-14 Tomcat grip (Order #11056).

I was this saturday morning playing at DCS and doing some basic navigation after a carrier take-off with my Su-33 while suddently I lost the ability to use buttons on my grip even if my roll/pitch axis was still ok.

After a few seconds I also saw that the blackbox between the Gunfighter Mk3 and my computer was blinking with a red light on the right side second led.

I did restart DCS then the computer but unfortunately still no change.

Trying to debug further using the software provided on VKB website I did see the Gunfighter Mk3 spotted but not the grip and obviously only the x and y axis working.

I then checked the grip connection and even looked at the inside of the grip using the VKB tutorial but still that damn blinking red light.

I don't know what can be the problem and it just happenned suddenly while playing :-/

Do you have any suggestion about what can i do to fix it or do I have to send it back to you ?

Thanks a lot for your help!!

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More about the problem:

1 - Device model and version : VKB Gunfighter Mk3 and its F-14 Tomcat grip
2 - Controller Firmware version : VKB Gunfighter F14 v2.007 Mk2
3 - Number and type of springs used: default ones
4 - Тype of cams used: default ones
5 - If VKB original software is used, please always mention its version : default ones
If the question is in regards to joystick/pedals axes, please additionally post:
6 - Vkbjoytester screenshots. Download it here: http://ftp.vkb-sim.pro/Programms/VKB_JoyTester.zip
7 - Vkbdevcfg-c screenshots. Download it here: http://ftp.vkb-sim.pro/Programms/; make sure you're downloading the newest version.



Screenshots in attachments.

Well, I don't know what more I can do. I hope someone will find a solution.

Have a nice day

[Ron61]

Remove the grip and wipe the contact pads with alcohol before installing. You can show a photo of them.

[glloq]

More screenshots from yesterday

[glloq]

Screenshots from yesterday and pictures of the connectors as requested

[Ron61]

The red error graph (similarly to the red scale) shows that there is no connection between the BB and the grip.
Are the spring contacts in the grip bent? Does everyone return to their original position after pressing?
When the configurator is running, you can set the knob and control along the scale when there is a connection. In this position, all that remains is to tighten the grip retainer screw.

[glloq]

Like said in the first post i indeed lost all but the x and y axis (so all the grip part) during a chill flight. A second before i can do any input then no more.

I have no input stuck and saw nothing while opening the grip following this site YouTube video to set some plastic bit for the second trigger.

[Ron61]

Press on these spring contacts (you can use a hexagon to clamp the clamps) and make sure they are working, as I wrote above.

[glloq]

The spring contact return to their position after being pressed. But unfortunately still the same behavior once the grip put on the base and the grip retainer screw :-/

[Ron61]

It remains to be seen whether the problem is in the base or in the grip.
First, let's check the voltage at the board contacts in the base stock. They should be approximately the same as the picture, relative to Gnd.

Rev.B..png (93.21 KiB) Viewed 6965 times

[glloq]

Sorry i have nothing at home to check the voltage :-/

[Ron61]

Can you disassemble the grip?

[glloq]

Yes I can following your Youtube video to set the second trigger stuff. What kind of pictures / stuff do I have to do?

[Ron61]

You need a photo of the base board, where the loop from the grip is connected. Like that.

[glloq]

Oh that part? Here you go

[Ron61]

It will be difficult to find a fault without a multitester, but we will try.
1. Reconnect connector 2 after loosening screw 1.
We check the presence / absence of communication with the installed handle in the configurator on a scale.

2. Having disassembled the handle, we reconnect the connector. Check the connection in the configurator.

If all else fails, we check the reliability of the soldering on the board with spring contacts. To do this, you need to disassemble the twist module.