PiDP-1 - controllers 2026

Click on any icon image to see the larger photo.

This section has few photos, and for that I apologize. I built the controllers in two stages, first soldering all the components onto the two small circuit boards shortly after completing the overall rack build and getting the PiDP-1 operational with console and I/O panel. I simply didn't take any photos as it was a very straightforward soldering process. At this point the controllers were simply soldered, but not wired up to anything. They were put in a bag for safekeeping until I'd completed the video installation.

Finally, with everything on the PiDP-1 complete and fully operational, including sound and video but lacking only the labels (see addendum near the bottom), I decided to complete the controllers. This involves two multi-strand cables that must be stripped to individual wires (5), stripped and soldered to each controller in a specific color order, then likewise soldered to the pins on the serial DB-9 connector. Wiring order is critical.

My kit came with different color wires than the instructions, but I figured if I kept my wiring consistant I would be fine. I chose my colors such that green was RIGHT, red was LEFT, white was ROW (common) and then black and yellow were THRUST and FIRE. The locations on the controllers is marked clearly. I used an old coax trim tool from Brent to strip the sheath, then trimmed the wire ends, tinned and soldered them with no issues. I managed to lose one of the tiny zip ties to attach the cable to the controller, but had alternates that worked just as well.

Soldering the DB-9 was more difficult. I thought I had figured it out from various wiring diagrams and careful study of the instructions, but once it was all complete I had managed to get things completely backward when I ran a game test. Fortunately it was not difficult to unsolder the DB-9 pins and resolder (they are troughs instead of holes). I tested with the came (SPACEWAR) again and they now work perfectly. I used a blue zip tie to denote the controller that used the upper DB-9 pins. It turns out it's also denoted the 'right' one, or the single controller in the PDP-1 notation. Either way, they both work

For good measure, I created a diagram and then a labelled DB-9 photo to document the correct locations of the pins and their function. I also took the time to operate every switch including the controllers using '/opt/pidp1/test.sh' and record the output in a spreadsheet which I printed and uploaded to the PiDP-1 group chat.

The photos below show the DB-9 wiring as well as a dimension diagram of the controller in case I want to buy/build a box for them.