Buttons on 1701-A consoles?

[hoggworks]

Hey all!

Can anyone point to a breakdown of the 1701-A consoles, preferably from ST:VI, with what pieces were made to use the various buttons and switches? I'm planning out my 1/350 Polar Lights 1701-A, and as I'm going to have light and sound effects, I thought it would be fun to make the base look like a console from the ship, with the buttons used to trigger various effects.

Thanks!

 

[jakob2121]

A good starting point: Star Trek VI Used an Oberheim DX or DMX Drum Machine as Control Prop

 

[hoggworks]

A good starting point: Star Trek VI Used an Oberheim DX or DMX Drum Machine as Control Prop

Thanks! When the ship flies out of Space Dock, there's a shot of Valeris flipping a row of switches, which I think are to the right of the screenshot in the link you provided. Screenshot attached.


Maybe I could buy some toggle switches and 3d print something over them to make them look the right shape.

 

[jakob2121]

Vintage Moog toggle switches! Mostly everything was hacked up 80s synth parts. DM sent.

 

[Borg69]

Thanks! When the ship flies out of Space Dock, there's a shot of Valeris flipping a row of switches, which I think are to the right of the screenshot in the link you provided. Screenshot attached.


Maybe I could buy some toggle switches and 3d print something over them to make them look the right shape.

Reminds me of the old 70’s electric organs.

 

[smithjohnj]

Many rocker switches allow you to replace or select the style of "cap" you place on the switch. Here is one example of a wide paddle switch cap for NKK rocker switches. There are meant to snap onto the switch. Dimensions are given to see if this is close to what you want. Color code A would be a white cap. Obviously if you find the right size switch which can take different caps, then you could indeed 3D print your own style.

 

[hoggworks]

Vintage Moog toggle switches! Mostly everything was hacked up 80s synth parts. DM sent.

Amazing! There's an ebay listing for them here: 1 VINTAGE Moog Synthesizer toggle switch NEW OLD STOCK UND. LAB. INC. | eBay

Do you know if connecting them to an arduino is possible? It looks like it has the same connectors are more modern switches, but I'm still trying to get my head around everything.

 

[jakob2121]

Yeah, switches are just switches (in this case, latching) - they'll be fine connecting, as they're way over spec for the power draw Arduino uses. Just poll the GPIO pins for high (if you're using the 5v power source as what you're switching) or low (if you're using ground).

 

[hoggworks]

Many rocker switches allow you to replace or select the style of "cap" you place on the switch. Here is one example of a wide paddle switch cap for NKK rocker switches. There are meant to snap onto the switch. Dimensions are given to see if this is close to what you want. Color code A would be a white cap. Obviously if you find the right size switch which can take different caps, then you could indeed 3D print your own style.

Thanks! I just learned about switch caps about 5 minutes ago. Still learning the terminology.


Is NKK a brand, or a kind of rocker?

 

[hoggworks]

Yeah, switches are just switches (in this case, latching) - they'll be fine connecting, as they're way over spec for the power draw Arduino uses. Just poll the GPIO pins for high (if you're using the 5v power source as what you're switching) or low (if you're using ground).

High and low as in:

if (digitalRead(buttonApin) == LOW)
  {
    digitalWrite(ledPin, HIGH);
  }
  if (digitalRead(buttonBpin) == LOW)
  {
    digitalWrite(ledPin, LOW);
  }

 

[jakob2121]

Yeah. I prefer wiring switch to ground and using input_pullup on the pin setup, so LOW is "button is activated".

 

[smithjohnj]

NKK Switches (nkkswitches.com) is a manufacturer in Arizona. You can download their catalog from their website. You are looking for a "panel mounted" switch. There are many styles of switches. For the paddle cap I gave in the diagram, it works with their Series M and P switches. You can buy these switches from other sources. I believe digikey is one such reseller. There are also other switch manufacturers. I just found this company and product with a minimum of effort.