Hi all,
A huge thunderstorm happened a day ago, and looks like my joystick couldn't take it.
I usually unplug everything, but this time I wasn't at home.
I have lost all force feedback functionality, led is just flashing.
Apart from the force feedback, the joy works perfectly (which makes sense, since other functionalities are feeded by the USB).
Since I am in love with this joy, I ask you to help me out.
Is there anyone around, who has a spare panel, and would be so kind to send it to me?
(Ideal would be, if you have an FFB2 with structural damage with intact electronics).
I do not want it for free, I'am open for discussion on the price.

I get what you get (stick work fine, LED flashing) if the stick isn't getting power. So it may not be a problem with the onboeard FFB electronics, it may simply be a power cord problem.
You may have already tried all of the following, but there's no harm in reviewing and trying these:

1- check that the cord is solidly plugged into the stick, it may have simply come loose,
2- try a known good electrical outlet, the electrical outlet you plug into may have suffered damage in the storm,
3- check the power cord for damage.
4- if all of the above fail, disassemble the stick (carefully note routing of wires etc... I understand that they can be tricky to put back together) and look for physical damage (the scorch mark may be tiny) on the components, starting with the power connection and working your way along.

I hope it's 1-, 2- or 3-.

Good luck

Thanks for the tips, unfortunately both outlet and cable are ok.
I was away for the weekend, but I will do disassembling as suggested.
The main problem is, that although I have knowledge around circuits (both analogue and digital) I lack equipment and experience.
Maybe it worth to have a look around for some expert...

Really sorry to hear it's not just a cord failure. Bummer to have this problem so soon afte getting the stick
Good luck.

Well, apart feeling a bit unlucky, I can only blame myself, next time I will unplug it for sure.
On the opposite side, I already know how good this stick is, it doesn't look completely dead, I assume a good electronics expert can help me.
If everything fails, I will start to look for good deals again.

Update and another info request, if anyone interested (hopefully).
I disassembled the stick and with a digital mulitmeter, managed to localise the problem.
It is (as I thought and hoped initially) somewhere in the built in power supply unit.
Checked the fuse, its intact, so maybe something else (capacitors looks intact, so most probably the FET).
This is how far I could get alone.
I see two possible waqys of fixing it:
1, find someone with knowledge and tools. Can be expensive, and hard to find, but I am on it already.
2, replace it with a power supply (even external, doesn't really matters) with the same output.

The key question is, do anyone have any info on the output of this PS?
Can it be the same like the MS Sidewinder FFB, which had external?
please, help if you can, I love this stick.

Staniol,

I was reading the MSFFB2 thread over at the 1C banana forum and saw this post by Azimech:

"Interesting mod by Flashman:

Quote:
If you ever find the forces stop you have probably blown the power supply card. I had to but a cheap Laptop power supply and wire it up to the stick. Its actually made the forces a little bit stronger! I think I broke mine when I dropped it though, its not a known weakness! "

You might try sending Flashman a PM and ask him specifically what he did to replace the power supply card.

C_G

Great Find, thanks Gambler, I'll get in touch with him.
I managed to get info on the MSFFB 1.
Since it has an external power supply, it was easy to get the specifics, it works on 12V 1.3A.
I will give it a try, and keep you updated.
Thanks again for the headsup!

Update:
Success.
I replaced the internal power supply with an external one (shipped with a par of speakers ages ago, as far as I remember)
Although it has smaller output (12V but only 800ma), everything is perfect, and I feel no difference.
One remark: no harm done with mixing the polarity (you know it just happens... no comments on this one please)

So I am a happy owner of a working MSFFB2 once more.
Thanks for all the help and suggestions!

Glad to hear it worked out for you:)

Maybe you could post a quick how-to for those of us with an FFB2 that we REALLY don't want to have to replace but aren't electric whizzes?
Mine works fine, but just in case....
Cheers
Keith

Good idea.
I am planning to replace it with one which has correct values, I wont forget to make some pictures and explanation.

If you wouldn't mind posting your repair pix in the il2 1c forum
msffb2 thread too that'd be great. That thread is a nice resource of all things msffb2.

C_G