USB Mouse Made Out Of A Wii Nunchuck

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This instructable will describe how to convert a Nintendo Wii Nunchuck controller into a USB 2-button mouse using a Teensy USB. The Teensy USB is a very user-friendly development board that can be programmed in an Arduino environment. The Teensy USB development board and necessary software are available at www.pjrc.com

Check out the final product in action!

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBNEImY_uzQ

Step 1: Materials

This is what you’ll need:

Components:
– Nintendo Wii Nunchuck Controller, available at various retailers
– Teensy 2.0 USB Development Board, available at www.pjrc.com
– USB cable, available at www.pjrc.com
– Breadboard (for prototyping), available at www.sparkfun.com
– 22 Gauge Wire, available at www.sparkfun.com
– Solder, available at www.sparkfun.com

Aside from the components listed above, you should have access to various tools such as a soldering iron and ancillary hand tools. Additionally, you should have basic soldering skill and working knowledge of the Arduino environment before embarking on this journey.

Step 2: Nunchuck disassembly

Remove the two screws on the underside of the Nunchuck controller using a tri-wing screwdriver and un-clip the top shell of the Nunchuck to expose the electronics.

Remove the electronics and un-clip the two hooks of the white molded plastic part at the center to access the electrical connectors of the x and y-axis potentiometers.

Remove the flexible membrane to access the electrical connectors of the C and Z buttons. The middle connection (red wire) is the Z button and top connection (black wire) is the C button.

Step 3: Prototyping on Breadboard

As good practice you should always prototype your project on a breadboard. The Teensy 2.0 comes with optional header pins making prototyping a breeze. Connect the Teensy controller to the inputs of the Nunchuck controller in the following manner:

Teensy              Nunchuck
GND                  Ground (each potentiometer and buttons)
+5V                    5 Volts (each potentiometer)
F0                      X-axis potentiometer output
F4                      Y-axis potentiometer output
D2                     C button
D3                     Z button

Once you’ve connected everything per the table above, you’re ready to program. In addition to putting the attached code into the Arduino window, make sure the settings are correct for this project. The board should be identified as “Teensy 2.0” and the USB Type “Keyboard + Mouse”.

Upload the code and press the reset button on the Teensy. Play around with the joystick and both buttons to confirm everything is working the way it should. A simple mistake would be to mix up the X and Y directions or the C and Z buttons, but that can be easily fixed by swapping the connections on the breadboard (another good reason you should always prototype everything).

teensy_mouse_clean.pde1 KB