Help: VKB-Sim Gladiator MK2 Pro Comm Error

[Ron61]

Look at this topic, there was already such a case.

[LUV2FLY]

Thank you for posting that thread. It provided me with more learnings but did not solve the issue. Here is a summary of what I did and some thoughts.

1. Did a hard reset and updated firmware again to "Gladiator v1 1.99a". Didn't work.
2. Checked the voltage between red & black of the wire going from the base to the stick. Wire was disconnected from the grip. I got something like 3.2V. So I know the base control board sending power to the grip board. So I don't think the issue is in the base.
3. The thread you posted talked about checking the connection between the base & grip and showed some pictures. It showed some physical mechanical connectors. As I have the non-pro version this gave me pause. The mechanical connection between the base and grip is a fixed magnet on the base "peg". It comes very close to a chip on a slide out circuit board in the grip. This I think is not only the Rot X axis but also tells the base circuit board that a grip is connected. Do I have that right?
4. I checked the continuity of the 4 wires between the circuit board & connector plug. It's fine.
5. I reseated everything and made sure the magnet was as close to the chip as the grip design allowed. Config software still showed a connection error.
6. Downloaded several firmware versions (v1 85B, v1 86C, v1 98_6). All provided the same connection error.
7. Followed "WelshZeCorgi" solution. Disconnected grip (slide out circuit board away from magnet). Flashed with no grip. Slide board back over magnet. Hit default. Still had connection error.
7. I need clarification of this next thought. Although I restart the device and hit the default button, I didn't calibrate the device. I didn't because I think all it would do is calibrate the X-Y-Throttle (with I know work) but would do nothing for the Rot X axis (twist) because the base doesn't recognize the grip. Plus none of the grip buttons worked for this or any other test I ran.

Note: All the above had the blinking red light. This never changed in any of the above steps. No grip buttons ever activated.

I'm stumped about what else to do. Anything you might suggest concerning the "mechanical connection" between the base and grip? I didn't see anything else that might tell the base a stick is connected other than the magnet and wire from the base. So problem could just be one of the two circuit boards in the grip.

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Learning:

Posted byu/randomusername_815
1 month ago
Inaccessible axes on the VKB Gladiator Mk2...
Hi all. Just going over the analog axis mapping on my Gladiator Mk2 (the WW2 KG12 grip version, NOT the new K model!) and I can activate most functions - but not some.

"X Axis" = Main stick left/right

"Y Axis" = Main stick up/down

"Z Axis" = throttle dial

"X Rotation" = Twist

But it also displays:

"Y Rotation" which sits at 50% by default

"Z Rotation" which sits at 0% by default

and "Slider" also at 0%

What are those last 3 used for and how can I manipulate them?

VKB-UIV VKB Official

The last 3 axes are for T-Rudder pedals

[Ron61]

I would like to clarify this question - how many volts on the signal wire relative to black?

[LUV2FLY]

I have an analog multimeter but getting a digital one this week. With my meter I get:

3.4 volts across black-red
2.5 volts across black-white

[Ron61]

Write either to the seller or to warranty@vkb-sim.pro for a request to replace the board in the grip.

[LUV2FLY]

Good news in that I got a replacement grip CB from VKB technical support (Zero). I am very thankful. I installed the grip board, applied USB power, and the red light on the base did not flash so I think that is a positive step. I need your help though to reassemble.

On my first try installing the grip, the stick would not twist, even though all the parts went together smoothly. I recall that when I took apart the grip, the round spiral metal twisty thing (forgive me, don't know what it's called) lifted from it’s position. I have attached a picture of this twisty thing. Have I installed it properly? If not can you attach a picture of how it should look. I’m also attaching a pic of the inside of the grip. I see worn spots where the twisty thing hits the plastic. Seems like I’m doing something wrong.

I've watch this disassembly video but it seems the spiral twisty thing is on the other side and I don't have good view of it. So any advice, instructions, and pictures would be most helpful.

Thanks

[fallout9]

That stem coming out of base is in the wrong position , the ends of the twist spring are supposed to face the mini-throttle and yours are facing the Eject button. Take the gimbal out, reverse the stem and now, with the spring facing the correct way, it'll catch the small tab on the opposite shell of the grip so it would pull the grip back to 0 position when twisting.
Check this out.

[LUV2FLY]

Before I get started could you speculate on the following. I never adjusted or removed anything in the base when I took it apart. Just the base plate and the wire connections. So I suggest I never rotated the stem. So is it really possible it got out of position some other way? Again I think the stem is exactly where it was before I took it apart.

If you’re convinced it is in the wrong position, I’ll do it BUT it does seem strange.

[LUV2FLY]

Other thoughts. Is it possible there are left & right sticks? Alternate designs?

[LUV2FLY]

Well I figured it out. The grip handle was close but was not seated properly. After extra careful inspection, I got the grip on with no issue AND it twists. I've calibrated the stick and it looks good. The only issue seems to be a non-working button on the front of the grip but down below the trigger button. Maybe I didn't seat the connection well to the grip circuit board.

Anyway, I like the design of the stick very much. It is well designed for a user to disassemble and reassemble. Don't find this type of design too often. So VKB did an excellent engineering design. May need to work on an improved grip CB that has a greater MTBF.

Thank you very much Ron for your help, along with Daisy & Zero. Although it took awhile to fix, I'm happy I don't have to go out and buy something new. All out of stock anyway.

Have a great day.

[fallout9]

If you've never took the stem out then try to reassemble it this way. The spring as shown in the picture is properly installed. The shell with the PCBs has a small tab which should get aligned and fit just between the ends of the springs (when you twist it's pushing against those pins). When you put that in position try to twist it a bit until you feel some resistance and tension - that means the tab is in the proper place.