Why does my Tankstick have two separate connections?

The Tankstick with Trackball has separate electronics for:

  • Joysticks and buttons.
  • Trackball and mouse-style buttons.

Because they are separate, the trackball may work even when the joysticks/buttons do not, or the joysticks/buttons may work even when the trackball does not.

For older Tanksticks, the purple PS/2-style connection is associated with the joystick/button side, and the green PS/2-style connection is associated with the trackball side. For modern USB use, follow the current X-Arcade cable instructions and do not substitute generic cables.

To test the joystick/button side on a PC, set the controller to Mode 1 / Keyboard Mode and open https://en.key-test.ru/. Move the joysticks and press the buttons, then confirm the tester shows key presses. Test the trackball separately by confirming it moves the mouse cursor on the desktop.

What do the red LED button and upper flipper buttons do?

On current Tankstick with Trackball controllers:

  • The red LED button on the top right is mouse middle click, also called mouse M3.
  • The left upper flipper button is mouse left click.
  • The right upper flipper button is mouse right click.

These mouse buttons are not programmable because they are part of the mouse/trackball side of the controller, not the joystick encoder board.

The remaining joystick and push-button controls are programmable in Mode 2 / Programmable Keyboard Mode. Programming only applies to Mode 2. Mode 1, Mode 3, and Mode 4 are not programmable.

For programming steps, use the X-Arcade Programming Guide:

https://support.xgaming.com/support/solutions/articles/12000003090-x-arcade-programming-guide

Do I need to update the Tankstick with Trackball firmware?

No firmware update is needed when you receive a new Tankstick with Trackball. Current Tankstick with Trackball controllers already include the latest Tri-Mode PCB and ship with the current firmware installed.

There is no newer Tankstick with Trackball Tri-Mode PCB firmware available right now. Do not try to update the controller firmware unless support specifically asks you to do so for troubleshooting.

What does the horizontal disabler button do?

The horizontal disabler is a hardware-level axis lock for the trackball. When it is held, left/right trackball movement is disabled so the user can focus on vertical motion.

It does not send a separate keyboard or game command. It changes the trackball's physical movement behavior.

If left/right trackball movement does not work, make sure the horizontal disabler button is not being pressed by the cabinet, desk, mounting surface, or wiring.

How do I test the trackball?

On a Windows PC:

  1. Connect the Tankstick trackball.
  2. Move the trackball.
  3. Confirm the mouse cursor moves on the desktop.
  4. Test left click, right click, and middle click if those buttons are wired.

If the cursor does not move correctly on the Windows desktop, troubleshoot the hardware before changing emulator settings.

Why does the trackball move only vertically or only horizontally?

Common causes include:

  • The horizontal disabler button is being held.
  • A wire or microswitch for the horizontal disabler is shorted.
  • A trackball sensor board is loose or not seated correctly.
  • A reader wheel or roller is loose.
  • The trackball assembly or sensor board needs service.

First, make sure the horizontal disabler is not pressed. If that does not fix it, open the controller and inspect the trackball assembly and wiring.

How do I clean the trackball?

  1. Unplug the controller.
  2. Open the X-Arcade case.
  3. Remove the trackball assembly.
  4. Keep the trackball housing upright when opening it so the ball and rollers do not fall out unexpectedly.
  5. Remove the ball.
  6. Clean the ball with water and mild dish soap if needed.
  7. Dry the ball completely.
  8. Clean the rollers with rubbing alcohol on a cotton swab.
  9. Let everything dry.
  10. Reassemble and test.

Do not get water near the electronics. Do not use grease or chemical treatments on the rollers, because that can interfere with tracking.

How do I set up the trackball in MAME on PC?

  1. Confirm the trackball moves the Windows mouse cursor.
  2. Open MAME.
  3. Go to Configure Options > Input Device Options.
  4. Set the relevant input devices to Mouse.
  5. Go to Configure Options > Advanced Options.
  6. Turn Multi-Mouse ON.
  7. Start the game.
  8. Press Tab.
  9. Go to Input (this machine).
  10. Map the trackball or dial movement by pressing Enter and moving the trackball.

This is for PC MAME. Other systems may use different menus.

How do I set up the trackball in Batocera?

For Batocera on Raspberry Pi or PC:

  1. Enable Optical Device in the game's advanced settings.
  2. Map a Hot Key button, because Batocera commonly uses Hot Key + Start to exit games.
  3. Map the trackball inside the emulator or game-specific input menu when needed.
  4. For games such as Missile Command, map cabinet buttons to the launch/fire points in the emulator settings.

A short delay before Linux recognizes the trackball can be normal while USB devices are detected.

Can the standard Tankstick with Trackball mount into the Tankstick VR / Arcade2TV-XR pedestal?

No. The standard wooden Tankstick with Trackball is not designed to fit the Tankstick VR / Arcade2TV-XR pedestal. Use it on a desk, flat surface, or a custom stand made for the standard wooden Tankstick body.

Can Tankstick with Trackball work with consoles?

Yes, with the correct adapter chain. Console setup depends on the console, game, adapter model, firmware, and whether one-player or two-player support is needed.

Current Tankstick with Trackball controllers include the Tri-Mode PCB, so the joystick and push-button controls can be used in keyboard, D-Input, or XInput-style setups depending on the platform and adapter path.

For X-Arcade console adapter options, see:

https://shop.xgaming.com/collections/adapters

For the general X-Arcade adapter overview, see:

https://shop.xgaming.com/pages/x-arcade-adapters-use-with-any-game-system-pc-or-mac

For PC XInput / D-Input background, see:

https://support.xgaming.com/support/solutions/articles/12000003227-use-x-arcade-as-a-windows-joystick-gamepad

Important trackball note: the joystick and push-button side can be used with supported console adapter paths, but the trackball is mouse-style input. For trackball games, PC, MAME, Batocera, RetroPie, or another computer-based setup is usually the better path unless your specific console game and adapter path support mouse-style input.

Useful links

If the trackball still does not work after these steps

Please include:

  • A short video showing the trackball behavior on a Windows desktop.
  • A photo of the trackball assembly from inside the controller.
  • Whether the joysticks and buttons respond at https://en.key-test.ru/.
  • Whether the issue is only horizontal, only vertical, random disconnects, clicking/grinding, or total no movement.
  • Whether the controller is connected directly to the PC or through a hub.