Converting an xbox controller into transmitter?

Wasnt really sure where to post this but has this been done by anyone? It would be interesting to see how a controller would function to drive a robot using the analog sticks and use the triggers for weapons compared to the usual transmitters.

The controllers wireless range could be an issue unless this could be coverted also but im not sure how much of the circuits ect from a normal transmitter could actually fit inside the body of an xbox controller as its generally much smaller, its got me thinking.

If you're willing to go to a lot of trouble, you could remove the TX and RX from the system altogether and use this http://www.instructables.com/id/Xbox...eless-Arduino/ to just generate the PWM signal to send to your ESCs. Not sure what the range is though, and there are probably easier ways. Of course you'd have to keep the Arduino and Xbox PC receiver inside the robot.

Guess I should have googled first! Like you said it looks a bit of a faff to do, would be cool though.

Yeah. I bet you could somehow just connect an Xbox 360 controller and a regular RC TX, but I'm not sure how difficult it would be.

I've seen xbox and ps 2/3 controllers modded for quad copters which involves gutting a TX and rewiring the pcb on the controller to the TX circuitry, honestly tho for overall functionality for a robot usualy requiring no more then 5 channels then its not really worth the time or effort.

that said if you want something different check this out...

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects...eld-controller

you would probably have to destroy the whole controller. But its do-able.

http://drstrangevolt.blogspot.co.uk/...ler-part1.html

best diagram of the insides i could find. wonder if you could use the triggers for throttle and the sticks for steering.

Those xbee controllers look sick, since the last update was jan 2013 I assume they wont see the light of day which is a shame.

Higgeh, thats what I was thinking like sticks for steering left trigger for throttle and right trigger to fire a weapon. I have to say I've not used standard transmitters a whole lot but in my head I feel like an xbox controller would be a much more efficient way of controlling a machine.

Interesting link as well I shall have a good look at this.

https://www.quantumri.com/ $350-$370 ( pending if you want xbox sticks or TX sticks) is about £268.99-£292.05 worth it depending on your project but again DX6I or 7 is way cheaper!

Dude I am tempted lol, depending on how my next build goes I may do it..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BSsC_mi9BPQ

Now im even more tempted, would be so cool to use the dials to adjust the power for a spinner.

If I had a spare TX set I would probably try it. The interfaces are very similar the key to it would be making sure the resistances were balanced between the two.

Totally agree my hands would feel more at home on an xbox controller than on a transmitter set

How would you handle trims?

trims if I am correct are just a voltage displacement on the controller (I think) therefore you would probably have to do the xbox controller to another interface that had a few potentiometers on it to control the trims.

Simple enough.

IM struggling to find a circuit diagram of a radio control set. Does anyone have one?

http://www.circuitstoday.com/simple-...mitter-circuit is that any good mate?

If you go for it and get it done remember I'd pay good money for one ;) lol

Not the right circuit but I could talk someone through the process its pretty simple. Leave it with me I have a spare xbox controller here I might go see if I can get a cheap transmitter to try it out. (Or if anyone has anything lying around)

ok so with a bit of looking these are the sticks you get on the flysky i6 (one im going to buy) and that's just two potentiometers and some wire.

http://www.banggood.com/Flysky-FS-i6...p-1058191.html

http://www.banggood.com/STC-DIY-2_4G...p-1061270.html

I'd still want to have the trims on the actual controller somehow - I've found speed controller centre points to drift a little just in normal use so having a separate interface for them would get frustrating quickly. Depending on your precise electronics setup it might not be an issue but it's worth bearing in mind.

On my analogue transmitters at least one of them has the trim levers work just by rotating the main stick pot base to change the centre point!

Well if you have a 6ch controller. You are going to have 1ch right trig 1ch left trig and 2ch on each joystick. You could set the trims using the spare buttons you have and plumb the whole thing through an arduino or fpga. Your project is growing legs but it's interesting.

Oops

I think its going to take someone with far more competent knowledge than me to put this into action, however I do have an old 40mhz transmitter and plenty of xbox controllers laying around. Theres only one way to learn right?

Send the controller to me and I will do it for you ;-)

I'll pm you :)

Ok so I can get this working using an xbox wireless controller to control a robot directly. WIth all the buttons its quite fun like a 16 channel transmitter.

Question though.....will I be able to use this at events? Would anyone be interested in a kit to allow them to do this?