Gunfighter III MCE Ultimate Stick Stopped Working

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HowardParker
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Gunfighter III MCE Ultimate Stick Stopped Working

Postby HowardParker » Tue Jun 14, 2022 12:40

So I've had my joystick now for a while and have been having a problem where the lights on the grip will go out and the buttons stop responding as I move the stick around. The grip has a green and red light lit most of the time but they've been going out on an increasing basis and now it's stopped responding completely.

The black box now has a blue sys light on, but the #2 is flashing red, the base has a green light but the grip has no lights lit and the both windows joy.clp and the vkb configuration software isn't picking it up at all. I've tried swapping the grip with my sons identical base and my grip works on his base and his grip doesn't work on my base. It looks like there's a bad connection somewhere in the base.

I've taken it apart and cleaned all the contacts but this didn't help. The base shows that the grip has been digging into the contacts so I know it's getting a good connection. Any ideas, please help?

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Re: Gunfighter III MCE Ultimate Stick Stopped Working

Postby fallout9 » Tue Jun 14, 2022 18:57

Check the wiring inside the base. If all the cables are good and properly connected post a pic with the 3 contact pads on top of base.

HowardParker
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Re: Gunfighter III MCE Ultimate Stick Stopped Working

Postby HowardParker » Wed Jun 15, 2022 2:37

Thanks Fallout. Pictures attached. I have checked all the connectors in the base and inspected the wiring. Nothing visible out of order. A bit more background is that the failure was not sudden. I use VR so I didn't get to see what the lights were doing but occasionally the buttons wouldn't respond for a few seconds then they would work again. This gradually got worse over time (maybe an hour or so) till they stopped completely.

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Re: Gunfighter III MCE Ultimate Stick Stopped Working

Postby HowardParker » Wed Jun 15, 2022 3:03

Having trouble loading Pix will post soon.

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Re: Gunfighter III MCE Ultimate Stick Stopped Working

Postby HowardParker » Wed Jun 15, 2022 3:17

Pix second try.
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20220615_100507.jpg
20220615_100700.jpg
20220615_100728.jpg

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Re: Gunfighter III MCE Ultimate Stick Stopped Working

Postby fallout9 » Wed Jun 15, 2022 3:44

MCGU permits offset installation. Rotate the grip before completely tightening the fastener, try to see if it works from other angle than you're usually using it.

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Re: Gunfighter III MCE Ultimate Stick Stopped Working

Postby HowardParker » Wed Jun 15, 2022 4:44

OK I have done that but no connection. My grip works perfectly on my son's base you don't even need to tighten the screw it just connects immediately. BUT when you try his grip on my base there is no connection. I am quite sure the fault is in the base and not the connection.

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Re: Gunfighter III MCE Ultimate Stick Stopped Working

Postby fallout9 » Wed Jun 15, 2022 9:46

Could it be because of those deep gouges the pins inside the grip don't make contact anymore. Please fill up a service ticket for replacement, or for further tests.

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Re: Gunfighter III MCE Ultimate Stick Stopped Working

Postby HowardParker » Wed Jun 15, 2022 13:08

How do I stop It making the deep Gouges. They seem to happen just by screwing up the retaining screw.

How do I fill out a service ticket?

Thanks

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Re: Gunfighter III MCE Ultimate Stick Stopped Working

Postby fallout9 » Wed Jun 15, 2022 20:17

There are 3 pins spring activated on the bottom of the grip which are supposed to make contact with the 3 pads on the stem at the top of the base. For proper contact the pins will make some dents into the pads by design. If the grip is not properly secured to the base by the fastener, the user could press hard on it during flight and the pins would just dig deep gouges into the pads. At some point the gouges will get so deep the pins won't make contact anymore.
To open a service ticket just log into your account on the local page where you ordered and you'll see the option in there.

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Re: Gunfighter III MCE Ultimate Stick Stopped Working

Postby HowardParker » Thu Jun 16, 2022 2:13

Thanks for your help

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Re: Gunfighter III MCE Ultimate Stick Stopped Working

Postby ZERO_Thunder » Mon Jun 20, 2022 9:55

Do you have a solder iron? Try to apply a layer of tin on the contact pad to make it a bit thicker.
It helps reduce gap between pins and pads. And it's easier to repair once it's wear again.
It won't void your warranty.
We will also send you new contact pads for replacing your current one.
1.png

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Re: Gunfighter III MCE Ultimate Stick Stopped Working

Postby HowardParker » Wed Jun 22, 2022 2:27

Thanks for that. If the new PCB board doesnt work i will try the solder.

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Re: Gunfighter III MCE Ultimate Stick Stopped Working

Postby HowardParker » Fri Jul 01, 2022 3:38

I thought I was getting new PCB boards instead I only got new connection pads. I have always been convinced it is not the connection that was the problem but I installed the new contact pads anyway. As I expected this did not solved the problem. I think Luke, the australian agent is trying to arrange a replacement but is there anything I can do in the meantime. I have been without a flight stick for about three weeks with no end in sight.

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Re: Gunfighter III MCE Ultimate Stick Stopped Working

Postby Ron61 » Fri Jul 01, 2022 12:04

Do you have a tester to check the voltage on the contacts?


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