Controller Conundrum

grolt · 08/20/2015, 11:59 AM

Hey guys, I've seen it touched upon in several threads but never fully answered...what is one to do when they have a Turbo Tap and TG-16 controllers and then they get a Duo? Is there an affordable Male 8-pin Mini-DIN to female 8-pin DIN adapter out there?

Also, I've heard hinting that using an extension cord or adapter between the Duo and a system can cause problems, whereas if there is nothing between the tap and the system, and instead the extension cords are between the tap and each controller, then there is less issue. Any truth to that?

Seems silly that there isn't a more mass produced or workable option for going between TG-16 and Duo setups considering the pins all stay the same, it's just the form factor that's making the connections incompatible.

Endless swarms of those little electric termites from DEEP BLUE upon NEC for making the controller ports different!

LostFlunky · 08/20/2015, 12:19 PM

The adapters are all gone now? I remember a German guy was selling them new for ~$10 a couple years ago.

Here is one on eBay - http://www.ebay.com/itm/Turbo-grafx-16-Pad-to-Duo-Core-Supergrafx-PC-Engine-Controller-adapter-Converter-/261940083735

Does not ship to Canada...

grolt · 08/20/2015, 12:20 PM

Quote from: guest on 08/20/2015, 12:09 PMWhat I did was get one PC Engine pad or tap, then take it apart and disconnect the cabled. Transferred it to the Turbo Tap and BLAM- pc engine male connector to plug into my duo, and 5 female US ports for my TG16 controllers to plug into.

You are wise beyond your years. That's a great idea. Does it require any soldering?

grolt · 08/20/2015, 02:54 PM

Quote from: guest on 08/20/2015, 12:26 PMNo sir, no soldering. Now that I think about it, though... i'd swapped PCE Pad/Turbo Pad. You may have to use PCE Tap/Turbo Tap for the cables to work... i don't have a tap here at work to test with so hopefully someone else can chime in. PCE Taps are super cheap if you get one that is nice and beat up.

I opened my Tap up and it also had the same 9-pin array that's in your photo, so it looks like you should be able to swap Tap cables with controller cables [EDIT: No, you cannot just swap cables, you must change the ordering of the wires, as documented here]. That seems like the best option, thanks for the suggestion. I'll try swapping my PC Engine controller cable with my Turbo Tap cable once I receive my Duo and report back. Seems like doing it that way would also increase the length of the cable, since the Tap's cord length is ridiculously short. Another question might be...is it possible to just by those kind of cables separately so you don't have to Frankenstein an old controller?

grolt · 08/20/2015, 02:57 PM

Quote from: Lost Monkey on 08/20/2015, 12:19 PMThe adapters are all gone now? I remember a German guy was selling them new for ~$10 a couple years ago.

Here is one on eBay - http://www.ebay.com/itm/Turbo-grafx-16-Pad-to-Duo-Core-Supergrafx-PC-Engine-Controller-adapter-Converter-/261940083735

Does not ship to Canada...

Thanks for the link. No shipping to Canada sucks, but I'll try to sweet talk the seller if null's cable swap method proves fruitless for my Tap.

jelloslug · 08/20/2015, 03:32 PM

Quote from: Nulltard on 08/20/2015, 12:26 PMNo sir, no soldering. Now that I think about it, though... i'd swapped PCE Pad/Turbo Pad. You may have to use PCE Tap/Turbo Tap for the cables to work... i don't have a tap here at work to test with so hopefully someone else can chime in. PCE Taps are super cheap if you get one that is nice and beat up.

I did just the opposite to get my 3 button PC Engine controller to work on my Turbo.

grolt · 08/20/2015, 04:10 PM

Looks like you can bulk buy just the PC Engine cable here:

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=web&id=111727639194&globalID=EBAY-ENCA

GohanX · 08/20/2015, 09:57 PM

Iirc if you are using a controller cable instead of a cable from another tap you have to swap some cables around. Nat made a thread about it a few years ago, look it up.

MotherGunner · 08/20/2015, 10:03 PM

So much incorrect info...

jtucci31 · 08/20/2015, 10:06 PM

Yes, you have to swap the cables within that white thing. You cannot just switch them between controllers, because they connect differently.

I just did this about 2 weeks ago or so. To have a Duo Tap work on my TGCD setup. NAT does have a great thread on it. If I were on my computer I could link to it. Maybe I'll find it.

jtucci31 · 08/20/2015, 10:14 PM

Quote from: guest on 08/20/2015, 10:09 PMI'm still waiting for mothergunner to explain what all this incorrect info is.

Found it. You have to switch around the colored wires. Use a needle to get them out
https://www.pcengine-fx.com/forums/index.php?topic=2893.msg36307#msg36307

MotherGunner · 08/20/2015, 10:27 PM

Yes, what JT said. The OP needed to hear more about modifying the tap vs controllers, not applying the correct controller info to modding the tap.

DragonmasterDan · 08/21/2015, 08:49 AM

Keep in mind putting an extension cable or a converter cable between a Turbo or Duo tap and the console causes the tap to act up.

So besides the convertor cables there were reverse Duo and Turbo Taps sold by Turbo Zone Direct back in the day.

grolt · 08/21/2015, 06:28 PM

Quote from: DragonmasterDan on 08/21/2015, 08:49 AMKeep in mind putting an extension cable or a converter cable between a Turbo or Duo tap and the console causes the tap to act up.

Swapping out a Turbo Tap cable for a PC Engine Multi-Tap shouldn't introduce the extra problems that connecting an additional extension/converter cable would though, right?

Thanks for the feedback thus far, everyone. I've updated my speculative post from earlier in the thread should anyone stumbling upon this in the future be mislead with any "incorrect info".

wildfruit · 08/21/2015, 06:55 PM

Quote from: DragonmasterDan on 08/21/2015, 08:49 AMKeep in mind putting an extension cable or a converter cable between a Turbo or Duo tap and the console causes the tap to act up.

So besides the convertor cables there were reverse Duo and Turbo Taps sold by Turbo Zone Direct back in the day.

I never had an issue doing console>extension>tap all multi and single player games I had functioned correctly.

GohanX · 08/21/2015, 06:59 PM

Quote from: MotherGunner on 08/20/2015, 10:03 PMSo much incorrect info...

So, you post that immediately after I post the correct info. Nice.

wildfruit · 08/21/2015, 07:10 PM

Quote from: guest on 08/21/2015, 07:04 PM
Quote from: wildfruit on 08/21/2015, 06:55 PM
Quote from: DragonmasterDan on 08/21/2015, 08:49 AMKeep in mind putting an extension cable or a converter cable between a Turbo or Duo tap and the console causes the tap to act up.

So besides the convertor cables there were reverse Duo and Turbo Taps sold by Turbo Zone Direct back in the day.
I never had an issue doing console>extension>tap all multi and single player games I had functioned correctly.
Don't lie, fruity. Everyone knows you have no friends.

That's actually almost true, I don't really have any friends.

MotherGunner · 08/21/2015, 09:40 PM

Quote from: JKM on 08/21/2015, 06:59 PM
Quote from: MotherGunner on 08/20/2015, 10:03 PMSo much incorrect info...
So, you post that immediately after I post the correct info. Nice.

Didn't mean to. Only a few minutes had passed and didn't see it as I had not refreshed. Stop the sensitivity.

If it helps, *takes knee* I apologize...

GohanX · 08/21/2015, 09:49 PM

<3

grolt · 08/22/2015, 08:48 PM

NightWolve · 08/22/2015, 09:12 PM

Did those captured pigeons survive BTW or lose their heads after forcible "kithing" at his hands ? ;)

bozo55 · 08/23/2015, 12:31 AM

Quote from: DragonmasterDan on 08/21/2015, 08:49 AMKeep in mind putting an extension cable or a converter cable between a Turbo or Duo tap and the console causes the tap to act up.

So besides the convertor cables there were reverse Duo and Turbo Taps sold by Turbo Zone Direct back in the day.

I actually managed to get it working this way. I have a PCE tap that I wanted to use with both the TG16 and PCE so I made my own converter cable. I bought a couple 8-pin Din connectors from my local electronics shop, one male and one female... and some monoprice mini-din extension cords. I cut the monoprice cable, leaving female side very short. The male side I added a female 8-pin din and turned it into a TG-16 to PCE controller adapter, that way I could use Turbopads on the PCE and on the PCE tap. The other part of the cable I turned into the PCE to TG16 tap/controller adapter. It seems to work fine but it's only about 4 or 5 inches... and for all of you out there laughing, that's definitely not what she said.

ClodBusted · 08/23/2015, 04:45 AM

Quote from: bozo55 on 08/23/2015, 12:31 AMIt seems to work fine but it's only about 4 or 5 inches... and for all of you out there laughing, that's definitely not what she said.

BTW, I hadn't problems extending my tap for multiplayer bomberman action, but it's a 3rd party tap, not the genuine NEC one, so this might play a role, too.

grolt · 08/27/2015, 05:59 PM

Awesome, was able to do swap a PCE controller cable with a Turbo Tap cable and now I've got a Tap that I can use on my Duo.

My question now is...can I take that leftover Turbo Tap cable and modify the pins so it can go in the PCE controller that I removed the cable from initially? I'd love to be able to use the PCE controller in my new Turbo Tap setup but don't know how the pin outs would work.

grolt · 08/27/2015, 10:18 PM

Hmm, I guess the Turbo Tap connector piece doesn't fit in the controller slot, even though the controller connector fits into the slot on the Tap. I guess the only way then would be to get a connector from a controller and use that in the place of the Tap's connector. Wish they'd just make the Turbo cables the way they do PC Engine ones (listed earlier in this thread on eBay).

DragonmasterDan · 08/28/2015, 03:59 AM

Quote from: grolt on 08/27/2015, 10:18 PMHmm, I guess the Turbo Tap connector piece doesn't fit in the controller slot, even though the controller connector fits into the slot on the Tap. I guess the only way then would be to get a connector from a controller and use that in the place of the Tap's connector. Wish they'd just make the Turbo cables the way they do PC Engine ones (listed earlier in this thread on eBay).

Which connector/system are you trying to do this with now? Are you saying the Turbo tap cable's connector doesn't fit into the turbo tap's controller port?

grolt · 08/28/2015, 09:48 AM

Quote from: DragonmasterDan on 08/28/2015, 03:59 AM
Quote from: grolt on 08/27/2015, 10:18 PMHmm, I guess the Turbo Tap connector piece doesn't fit in the controller slot, even though the controller connector fits into the slot on the Tap. I guess the only way then would be to get a connector from a controller and use that in the place of the Tap's connector. Wish they'd just make the Turbo cables the way they do PC Engine ones (listed earlier in this thread on eBay).
Which connector/system are you trying to do this with now? Are you saying the Turbo tap cable's connector doesn't fit into the turbo tap's controller port?

The white 8-pin rectangular connector that plugs into the Turbo Tap PCB will not fit in the PCB connector for the PC Engine controller. Since I used the cable from my PC Engine controller to swap with the Turbo Tap's cable to give the Tap a mini-DIN connector that would allow it to work with my Duo, I was hoping I could then take the leftover DIN cable from the Tap and plug it into my cable-less PC Engine controller so I could use it with my Turbo Tap. I just want to be able to recycle my PC Engine controller so it can work with my Turbo Tap.

NecroPhile · 08/28/2015, 10:52 AM

Can you do a little trimming or otherwise modify the connector? It's gotta be close to fitting.

jtucci31 · 08/28/2015, 04:19 PM

When I swapped cables, I put the leftover PCE cable into a Turbo Pad (so then the cord was really short). I rewired the colored wires and it didn't work properly. Either I did it wrong (which I really didn't think I did) or multitap cords won't work as controller cords. Or I could be completely wrong on that, that was just my experience with it.

grolt · 08/28/2015, 05:06 PM

Quote from: guest on 08/28/2015, 10:52 AMCan you do a little trimming or otherwise modify the connector? It's gotta be close to fitting.

I probably could but that would compromise the connection for if I ever wanted to return the tap to its original form. It's just weird that the tap PCB connector is different than the controller connector even though they are both 8-pin plugs.

KnightWarrior · 08/30/2015, 08:42 PM

I have a Modded Duo Tap for my TurboGrafx-16