Hardwiring NXT modules to the joystick

[Capecop1]

Hey guys,

I just received my THQ and FSM modules today and have been working all morning to figure out how to connect them up. Can you shed some light on how to hardwire the thq to the nxt joystick and then add the fsm to the mix? My thq came with two short jst connectors, one 3 pin and one 4 pin. The NXT stick has both 3 pin and 4 pin connectors inside its base so I'm not really sure which cable to use...I've tried all the connections I can see but still no go. Is there something I need to do in the device configurator also? I haven't seen any video guides on this topic yet that's why I'm asking here. Thanks so much!

[fallout9]

So you have a THQ and a FSM-GA. What else? MFH (holder)? GNX HID controller?

[Capecop1]

Yes sir, all of the above. I'm trying to connect both modules to my left gnx premium. I ordered the hid controller just in case, I shouldn't need it tho correct?

[fallout9]

Alright, then take out the right side panel off the Gladiator (there are two M2.5mm screws holding it on the inside of the joystick). Remove the bottom cover off the THQ and its left side panel (same procedure as before) and using the plastic coupler connect the module to the Gladiator. Use the 4 screws from the side panels to secure them in place. Connect the 3pin JST cable end to the Gladiator and the 4 pin end to the THQ. Use the closest sockets and be careful so the cable won't get caught when putting back the covers.
Now install the FSM-GA on the MFH, then the THQ on the MFH, then connect the FSM to THQ with the Type-C to Type-C cable.
Download the latest software and calibrate your device.

Helpful videos:
- THQ hardware;
- THQ software;
- FSM-GA and MFH.

[Capecop1]

Thank you so much for the in depth walk-through! Much appreciated! As for the fsm to thq connection, I got a jst to usb c cable, not a c-to-c cable. Does the jst side go in the thq and the usb c side into the fsm? Thanks again for taking the time.to help me.

[siraether]

Not to hi-jack the thread but we can hardwire the Gladiator to the GNX modules and power everything through a single external USB 3 connection and a HID board? Or is the USB2 connector for the Gladiator still required?

[fallout9]

Yep, just connect the JST end of the cable into one of the 4 pins sockets inside the THQ, pull it out through one of the grommets covered holes and plug the other end into the FSM-GA. That's actually even better, as you could install the GNX HID controller on the THQ if you would like at some point to break it apart from the Gladiator and use the THQ+FSM-GA as an independent device.

[siraether]

Looks like I'm taking this apart again haha!

[fallout9]

Not to hi-jack the thread but we can hardwire the Gladiator to the GNX modules and power everything through a single external USB 3 connection and a HID board? Or is the USB2 connector for the Gladiator still required?

Not sure I understand the question, but you can't have a Gladiator NXT and a GNX HID controller linked together. If you're referring to the modules mentioned in this thread, then there are 2 options: either both FSM-GA and THQ connected to Gladiator NXT as a whole unit (in this case the GNX HID controller rests unused), or FSM-GA and THQ interlinked and using the GNX HID controller as an independent device.

[siraether]

I get what you are saying. It was my misunderstanding.

[Capecop1]

So...did everything as instructed to do (plugged the 3pin into the nxt base and the 4pin into the thq) and updated the firmware on my nxts to 2.071. I cant get vkbDevConfig (version 0.92.11) to see the thq at all...what am I missing here? Sorry so many questions and thanks again.

[fallout9]

There was supposed to be a guide up at the moment when the courier delivers first parcels, but they're been so fast... Couriers these days... )

Until then, press the Default button under Tools tab, then go to Global/External/External Devices and press the Find&Autoconfig button. Next, Profile/Axes/Physical Axes - check the En and Vs boxes for all the axes between 1 and 9. Lower, on the Logical Axes chart, uncheck all the ACl boxes for axes 7th and lower. Press Set under Action tab.
Navigate to Test/Axes and press the Start Calibr button under Tools tab. Calibrate your joystick first (all 6 axes), then move the 3 levers on the THQ - only 2 will have sliders moving on the screen; the third one you could see moving if you pull the roll down menu just above the sliders and select the second device from there. When done press End Calibr and that should be the end of it.

Please don't worry and ask as many questions you might have, we know they're new devices and not only because of that we'll try to respond as quick as possible.