Is there a way to turn a Mega clone (CH340) into a joystick without flashing?

Projects Interfacing w/ Software on the Computer
1

Hi,
I'm completely new to Arduino. I'm trying to build a flight simulator cockpit and got a clone for an Arduino Mega (CH340) with an Atmega16U2, which I intend to use to make a joystick.
From what I've read so far, I need to use UnoJoy if I want to turn my board into a joystick, but this process is not (easily) reversed. And I fear there's a chance I screw things up (since I'm a newbie). So I was wondering if there is any other alternative I could try, before going ahead with the UnoJoy option.

Thanks!

2

You can't brick your Arduino Mega.

You can always get it back to "original" condition by using DFU.

I turned my Arduino Uno into a USB keyboard just to try and then went back.

3

Thanks, ieee488 :slight_smile:
But does this also work for a clone Chinese board? I read that to revert the process needed to use UnoJoy I'd need to get an original board (which I don't have).
Also, I read somewhere that vJoy seems to be an alternative to UnoJoy without the need to flash the board. Is that correct?

4

As far as I can tell DFU requires shorting two pins together so nothing to do with CH340 or not.

5

anarelle:
Hi,
got a clone for an Arduino Mega (CH340) with an Atmega16U2

What is it? A CH340 or an 16u2. For the former, you're out of luck.

6

Sorry, I had not seen your question. This is my board:

The thing is, it's a cheap clone, not a real Arduino board. So if there's an alternative to reflashing it so I can use it as a joystick, it would be great. Otherwise, is it possible to use UnoJoy with this board, at all?

Thanks again.

7

The CH340 can only act as a serial port and not as a HID
2)
You can't use UnoJoy because it needs a usb-to-ttl chip that can act as a HID; see (1).