{"product_id":"leo-bodnar-bu0836a-usb-joystick-controller","title":"Leo Bodnar BU0836A USB Joystick Controller Board - 8 Axis, 32 Button","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"nznpd\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"nznpd__lead\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"nznpd__intro\"\u003eThe Leo Bodnar BU0836A turns your own pots, switches and rotary encoders into a USB game controller. You wire them to the 38 pins, plug it into a PC and it shows up as a joystick called BU0836A, with no drivers and no code to write. It reads 8 analogue axes at 12-bit, which is 4096 steps, plus 32 buttons when wired in a matrix and an 8-way hat switch, so it suits a throttle quadrant, a rudder pedal rebuild, a button box or a yoke whose controller board has worn out.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"nznpd__intro\"\u003eIt runs off USB and works with any sim or game that reads a joystick on Windows, and also shows up on Mac and Linux. The pins are bare 2.54mm headers, so you can push on \u003ca href=\"\/products\/rainbow-dupont-jumper-wire-kit-20cm\"\u003efemale jumper leads\u003c\/a\u003e for testing and solder or crimp your wires for a finished build. We have one new board, and it comes on its own: the plug-on housings and a USB cable are not included, so you will need a USB A to B cable, the square-ended kind printers use.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003csection class=\"nznpd__block\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"nznpd__h\"\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"nznpd__specs\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"nznpd__spec\"\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eAnalogue axes\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e8, 12-bit (4096 steps), 0-5V\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"nznpd__spec\"\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eButtons without a matrix\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e12, each switched to GND\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"nznpd__spec\"\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eButtons with a matrix\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e32, on 6 rows x 6 columns\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"nznpd__spec\"\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eHat switch\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e1, 8-way (matrix wiring only)\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"nznpd__spec\"\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eRotary encoders\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUp to 16, set up with the config tool\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"nznpd__spec\"\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003ePots\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e1k to 100k, 10k linear (B taper) is best\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"nznpd__spec\"\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eConnection\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUSB B socket, full speed, HID joystick\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"nznpd__spec\"\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003ePower\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e5V from USB, about 30mA for the board\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"nznpd__spec\"\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003ePins\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e38, 2.54mm pitch header fitted\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"nznpd__spec\"\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eBoard size\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e52 x 31mm, USB socket sticks out about 8mm further\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"nznpd__spec\"\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eMounting\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e4 x M2.5 holes, 47 x 26mm centres\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"nznpd__spec\"\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eIn the box\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e1 board only, no cable or housings\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/section\u003e\n\n\u003csection class=\"nznpd__block\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"nznpd__h\"\u003eDatasheets\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"nznpd__ds\"\u003e\n\u003ca class=\"nznpd__dsbar\" href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0664\/6127\/0112\/files\/MOD-BU0836A-Datasheet-v1.pdf?v=1793919053\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" aria-label=\"Download the BU0836A datasheet (PDF)\"\u003e\n\u003csvg width=\"20\" height=\"20\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\"\u003e\u003cpath d=\"M14 2H6a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v16a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h12a2 2 0 0 0 2-2V8z\"\u003e\u003c\/path\u003e\u003cpolyline points=\"14 2 14 8 20 8\"\u003e\u003c\/polyline\u003e\u003c\/svg\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eFull technical datasheet\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"nznpd__dsmeta\"\u003ePDF\u003csvg width=\"17\" height=\"17\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\"\u003e\u003cpath d=\"M21 15v4a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H5a2 2 0 0 1-2-2v-4\"\u003e\u003c\/path\u003e\u003cpolyline points=\"7 10 12 15 17 10\"\u003e\u003c\/polyline\u003e\u003cline x1=\"12\" y1=\"15\" x2=\"12\" y2=\"3\"\u003e\u003c\/line\u003e\u003c\/svg\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003ca class=\"nznpd__dsbar\" id=\"quick-start-guide\" href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0664\/6127\/0112\/files\/MOD-BU0836A-QuickStart.pdf?v=1793919053\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" aria-label=\"Download the BU0836A Quick Start guide (PDF)\"\u003e\n\u003csvg width=\"20\" height=\"20\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\"\u003e\u003cpath d=\"M14 2H6a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v16a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h12a2 2 0 0 0 2-2V8z\"\u003e\u003c\/path\u003e\u003cpolyline points=\"14 2 14 8 20 8\"\u003e\u003c\/polyline\u003e\u003c\/svg\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eQuick Start guide\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"nznpd__dsmeta\"\u003ePDF\u003csvg width=\"17\" height=\"17\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\"\u003e\u003cpath d=\"M21 15v4a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H5a2 2 0 0 1-2-2v-4\"\u003e\u003c\/path\u003e\u003cpolyline points=\"7 10 12 15 17 10\"\u003e\u003c\/polyline\u003e\u003cline x1=\"12\" y1=\"15\" x2=\"12\" y2=\"3\"\u003e\u003c\/line\u003e\u003c\/svg\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/section\u003e\n\n\u003csection class=\"nznpd__block\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"nznpd__qs\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWiring \u0026amp; getting started\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cdetails class=\"nznpd__figbox\" open\u003e\u003csummary\u003eWiring diagram\u003cspan class=\"nznpd__codelang\"\u003ePot and button\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cfigure class=\"nznpd__fig\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0664\/6127\/0112\/files\/bu0836a-wiring.png?v=1793919055\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0664\/6127\/0112\/files\/bu0836a-wiring.png?v=1793919055\" alt=\"A 10k linear pot wired to GND 1, INPUTS 1 and +5V 1, and a push button wired to GND 2 and COLUMN 1\" width=\"1600\" height=\"1180\" loading=\"lazy\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cfigcaption\u003eTap the drawing to open it full size.\u003c\/figcaption\u003e\u003c\/figure\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003col class=\"nznpd__steps\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGet what you need\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cp\u003eYou need a USB A to B cable and whatever you are wiring in. For a first test, one \u003ca href=\"\/products\/wh148-b10k-potentiometer-15mm-shaft-3-pin-linear-taper\"\u003eB10K potentiometer\u003c\/a\u003e, one push button and a few \u003ca href=\"\/products\/rainbow-dupont-jumper-wire-kit-20cm\"\u003efemale jumper leads\u003c\/a\u003e are enough.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFind the pins\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cp\u003eHold the board with the BU0836A print the right way up and the USB socket on your right. The pins along the top edge are in three rows at the left: GND on the top row, INPUTS in the middle and +5V on the bottom, numbered 1 to 8. The two rows further right are COLUMNS 1 to 6 on top and ROWS 1 to 6 underneath, with two spare +5V pins between the blocks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWire a pot with the USB unplugged\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cp\u003eAlways connect pots with the USB cable out. Connect one outer leg of the pot to GND 1, the other outer leg to +5V 1, and the middle leg to INPUTS 1. Give each pot its own three wires instead of sharing, as this keeps the axis steady.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWire a button\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cp\u003eFor up to 12 buttons, run one leg of the button to any GND pin and the other to one of the ROWS or COLUMNS pins. No diodes are needed this way, even for toggle switches. Above 12 you wire a matrix, which is one row pin and one column pin to each button. Row 1 with Column 1 is button 1, and Row 1 with Column 2 is button 2. If 3 or more contacts can be closed at once, which is common with toggle switches left on, add a diode per switch, such as a 1N4148 from our \u003ca href=\"\/products\/rectifier-schottky-diode-assortment-kit-200pc-8-values-1n4007-1n4148-1n5819-1n5822-fr107-fr207\"\u003ediode kit\u003c\/a\u003e, with its stripe towards the row pin.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlug it in\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cp\u003eWindows chimes once and installs it by itself as a USB game controller called BU0836A. If it shows up as Boot or Bootloader instead, the firmware needs loading again, and the files and steps are on the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.leobodnar.com\/shop\/index.php?main_page=product_info\u0026amp;cPath=94\u0026amp;products_id=204\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003eLeo Bodnar product page\u003c\/a\u003e under Product Downloads.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCheck it works\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cp\u003ePress the Windows key, type joy.cpl and press Enter. Select BU0836A, click Properties and turn the pot: the bar for that axis should sweep end to end, and pressing the button should light a number. An axis only appears if its pot was connected when the board powered up, so if one is missing, unplug the USB and plug it back in.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSet it up in your sim\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cp\u003eAssign the axes and buttons in your game the same way as any joystick. If a pot only uses part of its turn, the free Windows \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.leobodnar.com\/shop\/index.php?main_page=product_info\u0026amp;cPath=94\u0026amp;products_id=204\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003econfiguration tool from Leo Bodnar\u003c\/a\u003e can stretch that range and reverse an axis. Rotary encoders also need that tool: pair them on an odd input first, such as 1 and 2 or 3 and 4, then set the type to match your encoder.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/section\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Leo Bodnar","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":67742276124768,"sku":"MOD-BU0836A","price":72.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0664\/6127\/0112\/files\/bu0836a-usb-joystick-board-hero.png?v=1793919051","url":"https:\/\/www.nznelectronics.co.nz\/products\/leo-bodnar-bu0836a-usb-joystick-controller","provider":"NZN Electronics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}