SNES Joypad Extension Cables

[Pikman]

After weeks of searching I finally managed to get hold of an Ascii pad for my beloved mini SNES only to find it doesn't work when plugged into my SNES joypad extension cable.

I distinctly remember using an Ascii pad with a joypad extension cable way back in the early 90's and i worked just fine. It's a bit of a longshot but does anyoen know where I might get a joypad extension cable that is compatible with an Ascii pad?

Cheers.

[Treble]

It's a regional problem. You have a SFC Junior, do you? If you are trying a UK extension lead, it won't work as the pads are wired differently. Tell us the setup/kit being used/region and we'll let you know what you need (and from where) to get it to work

[Pikman]

I'm using a US mini SNES, a US Ascii Pad and what I think is a UK joypad extension lead.

From what you say I presume I need a US joypad extension lead?

[Treble]

I'm 90% sure a Jpn pad is wired the same as a US one, so one of those will be ok....I think. Me and Papercut had a big discussion about this a while back - we all know that the PAL and Jpn pads are wired differently, but none of us have bothered checking the pinouts

You can get dirt-cheap Jpn ext leads from Lik-Sang here, and even order them from the European site if you like. Definitely worth a pop

[Pikman]

Cheers for that treble,

what's strange is the offical Nintendo SNES joypad (US) works fine plugged into the extension lead but the Ascii pad (also US) doesn't. Any idea why that is?

[mmmonkey]

Surely an extension lead just extends the lead that's already on the pad, it doesn't matter how the pad is wired, or how the console expects the pad to be wired. As long as all 7 of the connectors are just extended and not crossed over etc and the region of the pad matches the region of the machine then it should work shouldn't it?

I reckon your extension leads aren't fully wired. I've cut up a few SNES ext leads to make adaptors for SNES to PC, and whilst doing this I've seen some which are fully wired, and others with some wires missing (2 of them I think). Maybe the ASCII pads use the wires that aren't in the lead, perhaps they are extra ground wires and your pads aren't grounded?

Do you have a continuity tester to see if the leads are fully wired?

Pete