Roller Controller Ball Size?

[SlowCoder]

I have a nice red granite style roller ball that I obtained from an Apple trackball that was being tossed about 20 years ago. It appears to be 2.25" diameter. I'm planning to get a roller controller soon, and of the size is correct, I think it would be a nice personal touch.

 

Anyone know the size of the roller controller ball?

[Yurkie]

I have a nice red granite style roller ball that I obtained from an Apple trackball that was being tossed about 20 years ago. It appears to be 2.25" diameter. I'm planning to get a roller controller soon, and of the size is correct, I think it would be a nice personal touch.

 

Anyone know the size of the roller controller ball?

 

I measured the ball without taking the roller controller a part and it looks to be 2" or smaller. Putting a different ball in a Roller controller is a cool idea. One of these when I get around to refurbishing my roller controller I will measure it precisely and write down the size.

[raskar42]

that's what she said

[Murph74]

Actually, I think it's a 2.5" trackball... I happened to have one sitting nearby, and using a pic from colecovision.dk, did a quick size check. The orange buttons measured approximately .75" on my unit, so I just placed 'em across the top of the ball in the pic, and boom-- looks like 2.5" to me.

 

Granted this wasn't overly scientific, but it's something. lol

[SlowCoder]

Well, haha! One person says it's smaller than 2", another says it's 2.5", and yet another says that's what she said. Looks like there's still some possibility there!

[Yurkie]

Well, haha! One person says it's smaller than 2", another says it's 2.5", and yet another says that's what she said. Looks like there's still some possibility there!

 

I took the ball out and measured with Dial Calipers and get between 2.230 and 2.247 depending where I measure. It is not perfectly spherical. So it looks like if your old ball is 2 1/4" you'll be all set.

[NIAD]

Well, haha! One person says it's smaller than 2", another says it's 2.5", and yet another says that's what she said. Looks like there's still some possibility there!

 

I took the ball out and measured with Dial Calipers and get between 2.230 and 2.247 depending where I measure. It is not perfectly spherical. So it looks like if your old ball is 2 1/4" you'll be all set.

Guess this all means that will be seeing all kinds of modded Roller Controller pics appearing in this forum shortly!

 

Think I would like a clear roller ball so that I could see inside the unit without removing the screws, being the lazy SOB that I am.

[Murph74]

Yep-- caliper is much more scientific than my Photoshop method.

 

Niad-- Sorry to say, clear doesn't appear to be a reasonable cost option... Found one but it was $36 for the ball!

 

Here are some possibilities for $15-$18. Keep in mind, since you have power in the RC, you can also put a small lamp in there and have it glow! Did that on my Mame cabinet, and it's hella cool looking. http://www.twistedquarter.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=113_119

[Yurkie]

Yep-- caliper is much more scientific than my Photoshop method.

 

Niad-- Sorry to say, clear doesn't appear to be a reasonable cost option... Found one but it was $36 for the ball!

 

Here are some possibilities for $15-$18. Keep in mind, since you have power in the RC, you can also put a small lamp in there and have it glow! Did that on my Mame cabinet, and it's hella cool looking. http://www.twistedquarter.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=113_119

 

I don't think I will be swapping the ball on mine for $18 plus shipping. It is an absolute piece of cake to swap the ball however. Take the screws out of the bottom lift the top off and lift the ball out from between the roller bearings and drop the other one in. There is nothing holding the ball in place. Be a fun DIY that anyone could do.

 

Nice find on the different colored balls Murph! +1

[Murph74]

Thanks, Yurkie!

[tz101]

Actually, I think it's a 2.5" trackball... I happened to have one sitting nearby, and using a pic from colecovision.dk, did a quick size check. The orange buttons measured approximately .75" on my unit, so I just placed 'em across the top of the ball in the pic, and boom-- looks like 2.5" to me.

 

Granted this wasn't overly scientific, but it's something. lol

 

.75" x 3 buttons wide equals 2.25", not 2.5"

[tz101]

I think any billiard balls will work in the 5200 track ball, so probably the same in roller controller. Might be cool to have a striped billiard ball in place of the stock one...

[SlowCoder]

Do the internal rollers use bearings or bushings?

[Murph74]

Actually, I think it's a 2.5" trackball... I happened to have one sitting nearby, and using a pic from colecovision.dk, did a quick size check. The orange buttons measured approximately .75" on my unit, so I just placed 'em across the top of the ball in the pic, and boom-- looks like 2.5" to me.

 

Granted this wasn't overly scientific, but it's something. lol

 

.75" x 3 buttons wide equals 2.25", not 2.5"

 

While your math isn't off, your eyesight may be. About 3 1/3 buttons covered the width of the ball in that picture.

[SlowCoder]

I got my roller controller last night. I spent some time playing with it and I'm totally loving it.

 

I tore it down for cleanup and installed the ball. At 2.25", it is a perfect fit!

 

[Yurkie]

I got my roller controller last night. I spent some time playing with it and I'm totally loving it.

 

I tore it down for cleanup and installed the ball. At 2.25", it is a perfect fit!

 

 

Glad it worked for you.