Replacing the handles

The L efty H OTA S
Bringing HOTAS to the lefthander
[email protected]
Installing Your New Controller Handles
This guide will take you step-by-step through the process of replacing the original CH
Products FighterStick and the Pro Throttle handles. All the photos used in this guide
are on the enclosed CD in case you want to zoom in for a closer look.
Warning! Making these modifications to your CH gear will void your warranty!
FighterStick Handle Replacement
Replacing the handles on the FighterStick is a little simpler than with the Pro Throttle
so we will begin with it so you can gain a little experience before we get to the Pro
Throttle.
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First, locate and remove the six screws on the right side of the handle. Removing
these screws requires a #1 Phillips screwdriver.
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Lift off the right side of the handle and remove the two small screws at the base of the
handle that secures the handle to the joystick stem. Carefully release the handle from
its support post and move it to the side as much as the wiring will allow. Be careful
not to dislodge any of the parts in the process.
Install the base with the for screws and replace the rubber feet over the screw heads.
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Next, find the left half of the new handle. As you observe the base, you will notice a
small pin at the lower portion of a crescent shaped cradle. This pin fits into a hole in
the joystick stem. Position the handle so that the stem fits into the cradle and the pin
snaps into the hole. Using the two screws you removed in step 2, secure the new handle to the stem.
Make sure the throttle moves smoothly and that nothing is grabbing or snagging.
Double check all buttons for proper operation as well.
Be sure to check everything out in Command Manager and if you discover anything
not working properly, take the unit apart and work back through the steps.
That s it! Congratulations! Now you can go up against those right-handers with just
as much HOTAS authority as they always ruled over you!
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Now, plug the PCB connector into the socket and carefully arrange the cables so they
won t interfere with the movement of the throttle. Test the throttle movement and adjust wires accordingly.
Take a moment to study how the trigger is mounted. Notice that there are two pins
that serve as a hinge at the top of the stick. On the other end is a small tab that is
sandwiched between the bracket holding the trigger microswitch and a stop post.
Carefully lift the trigger from the old handle and position it in exactly the same position on the new handle.
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Connect the three wires to the pot (left:green, middle:yellow, right:blue). Next, connect the strain relief to the bottom of the base.
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Carefully lift the rest of the electronic components from the old handle and lay them
gently into the new handle. Don t try to position anything yet, just set them in the
handle. Next, gently twist the boat hat (side thumb hat) around 180 degrees. This is
necessary because the hat will now be on the right side of the stick instead of the left.
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Next, place the large switch quad (gang of three hats and one button) into the slot on
the front of the handle. Then, position the pinky button (button you press with your
little finger) into the bracket at the base of the handle. Be careful that you orient the
wire connectors vertically as you will not be able to slide it in otherwise. It s worth
noting that all the microswitches in both the FS and PT work this way. Test that the
button clicks properly afterward as it is possible to push the switch so far down into
the bracket as to cause the button to bind.
Feed the USB and PCB cables through the base and mount the throttle handle in the
stem base and install the two screws to secure it.
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Install the trigger microswitch in much the same manner as you did the pinky switch.
Be careful not to bend the connectors too much or snag them on anything. Again, the
trigger is sandwiched between the stop post and the microswitch. Make sure you can
squeeze the trigger and hear the click before continuing on. Secure the cables by
creating an S around the mounting post just above the pinky switch and the other
tall post just above it.
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Once the cables are completely threaded through the stem of the handle, carefully connect the two halves together. Thankfully, this is not nearly as difficult as it was with
the FighterStick.
We will now install the boat hat. Find the right hand half of the new handle. If you
put your finger on the inside rim of the hole where the boat hat will be mounted, you
will feel a small tab. Look carefully for a notch in the boat hat. This notch is on the
opposite side from the ribbon cable and about a half an inch toward the button from
the circuit board. When properly installed, this notch needs to mate up with the tab at
the rim of the hole. Also notice a thimble looking thing connected to the other end
of the boat hat. This thimble can slide off so be sure to keep it in place. Carefully
slide the boat hat down through the hole and place the tip of the thimble into the cradle bracket. Gently rotate the hat around until you feel the tab slip into the notch. If
you gently rotate the hat button, it should not move, proving that it has indeed locked
into place. Press the thimble securely down into the cradle bracket. It should remain
in place by itself but if you find it keeps popping out, you can place a small piece of
scotch or electrical tape across the cradle bracket to hold it while you re putting the
handle halves together. You can leave the tape there permanently as it will not affect
operation.
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Once the throttle handle is closed up tight, test all the buttons and cross hat to ensure
proper click and position. If you are satisfied with everything, install the five
screws in the bottom of the handle.
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The last piece of electronics to be installed before we button up is the side trigger
(mode switch). Take notice that the button plugs into a microswitch. This button can
pop off so be careful. Drop the button down into the side trigger hole and orient it so
the switch bracket (in the other handle half) will slip properly over it. Be careful to
arrange the wires so they don t get pinched.
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Now, we re ready to button this thing up. Keeping a finger on the boat hat to keep it
from popping out, bring the two handle halves together. Make sure no wires are in the
cracks and that the trigger hinge pin is aligned with the hole properly. Just as the parts
begin to come together, use the blade of a knife to make any last minute adjustments
to anything not lining up. Pay special attention to the side trigger to assure it s microswitch is mating up with the bracket. This is tricky so pull it back off as many
times as necessary so you are sure things are lining up well. Snapping it together will
require a little bit of pressure but should not be too hard to press together. If anything
feels wrong, pull the handle apart and try again.
Screw the printed circuit board into place. This completes the electronic installation.
Test all the buttons to make sure that they click properly and that there is no binding.
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Feed the USB and the printed circuit board cables through the stem hole in the new
controller handle (from the inside out). Again, getting the strain relief through the
hole is difficult. Be careful about breaking a wire.
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Converting the Pro Throttle to lefty meant that the throttle handle was turned upside
down lengthwise. This means that instead of the electronics being installed in the bottom (stem) part of the handle, they will now go into the top part of the handle of the
new one. Find the top handle of the new throttle and gently lay all the electronics inside it with the printed circuit board going first. Go ahead and press the three button
microswitches into their holding brackets.
Once the halves come together and there is no gap anywhere around the joint between
the two handle halves, do a quick test to make sure all the buttons click properly.
Wiggle the boat hat to make sure it is properly seated in the notch and that the side
trigger is not in a bind. The pinky switch should have the slightest wiggle room and
click easily. Test that the trigger hinge is in place and that it clicks correctly as
well. If you are satisfied with everything, install the six screws making sure to snug
them but DON T over tighten them.
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Next, install the cross hat. The cross hat has a notch that fits into a tab just like the
boat hat on the FighterStick. Be careful to get it aligned properly by wiggling it to
assure it doesn t rotate. Then, set the switch quad (gang of hats and the microstick)
into place. Make sure the microstick is oriented toward the outside of the throttle and
the POV hat toward the inside.
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Make one final test that all buttons work properly and that everything feels secure.
Get it right! If anything feels wrong, pull the screws back out and fix it.
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Pro Throttle Handle Replacement
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Using a small knife, carefully remove the rubber feet to expose the screws that hold
the base of the throttle together. Take a big gulp and cut the warranty tag along the
joint of the base.
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All the electronic components are mounted in the bottom part of the throttle handle so
hold the throttle handle upright and gently work the top half of the handle free. Then
remove the screw that holds the printed circuit board in place.
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Remove the four screws and open the bottom of the throttle case.
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Carefully pull all the components out of the handle and lay them down on the table so
as to keep their orientation. There should not be any danger of getting the switches
out of order because the wires should hold them in the proper order. You might want
to use a felt tip pin and label them if you are worried. I don t think it s much of a
problem. Once all the components are removed, pull the two cables out of the stem
hole in the throttle. Once again, the USB cable is difficult to get through the hole and
you may need to use a screw driver. Be careful!
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Pull the handle free of the base and fish the two cables out from the base as well. The
strain relief on the USB cable is a bit difficult to get through the hole and you may
need to use a screwdriver to get it to go though. Be careful not to break a wire or
damage the case.
Holding the throttle pot firmly with your right hand (I ve moved my hand away so
you could see) pull the three wire connectors off the pot. Notice their colors: green,
yellow, and blue. Next, remove the connector from the printed circuit board.
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Now, both cables should be free. Use your screw driver and remove the two screws
from the stem connecting the throttle handle to the base.
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Locate the five screws on the bottom of the throttle handle and remove them with your
screwdriver.
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