Arcade Joystick and Buttons

Complete Guide: Installing Silent Sanwa OBSFE Buttons in Any Stick

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by

Himura
in ,

Replacing standard 30mm arcade buttons with silent Sanwa OBSFE buttons can dramatically reduce the “click-clack” noise of your fight stick. Silent OBSFE buttons are a variant of Sanwa’s popular OBSF series that include internal foam dampeners to soften the sound on each press. This guide will walk you through a universal installation process, using the Nacon Daija and Mayflash F700 Elite as examples. We’ll cover the tools needed, disassembly, wiring, and a before/after sound comparison. You’ll also learn the benefits of silent buttons and some extra modding tips for a quieter arcade stick.

Tools and Parts Needed

  • Silent 30mm Sanwa OBSFE Buttons (quantity depends on your stick, typically 8). (Note: Silent Sanwa buttons are only made in 30mm size, not 24mm. Smaller buttons like Start/Select might require foam pads instead.)
  • Screwdrivers or Hex Keys: To open your fight stick’s case. The Nacon Daija, for example, includes a hex key for its lid.
  • Pliers or Button Removal Tool: To help compress and remove the old button tabs. Sanwa snap-in tabs can be fragile, so a proper extractor tool or gentle pliers are recommended.
  • Needle-nose pliers (optional): Useful for gently disconnecting wire terminals (quick-disconnects) from the buttons.
  • Soft cloth or anti-static wristband: To protect electronic parts from static as you work.

Step 1: Open the Fight Stick Case

Before any modding, unplug your fight stick. Flip it over and use the appropriate screwdriver or hex key to remove the bottom panel (or top panel, depending on model). For the Nacon Daija, two quick-release latches allow the top panel to pop open easily (the Daija even stores a hex tool inside for mods). The Mayflash F700 Elite requires unscrewing the bottom plate or removing the magnet-secured clear top panel to access the internals.

Once open, ground yourself on a metal part (or wear an anti-static strap) before touching PCB components. Identify the button wiring: each button has two wires connected via slide-on terminals. Many modern sticks like the Daija use color-coded wires with a reference diagram, making it easy to note which wire goes to which button. If not color-coded, take a photo for reference.

Opened Nacon Daija fight stick with color-coded wiring and Sanwa OBSF buttons. Pinch the tabs on each button to pop it out – the included hex key tool can help press the tabs.

Step 2: Remove the Existing Buttons

Now, remove the old 30mm buttons one by one:

  1. Disconnect the wires: Grip the quick-disconnect terminals on the first button and pull them off the microswitch tabs. Do not yank by the wires; use pliers on the metal connector if it’s tight. There are two connectors per button. It doesn’t matter which way they attach (the switch is not polarized), but keep track of which pair of wires goes to each button.
  2. Release the button tabs: From the top side of the panel, press in the two plastic tabs on the sides of the button’s housing. These tabs secure the button in the panel. Tip: Buttons that are tight can be eased out by pressing one tab in with a flat screwdriver or hex key and lifting that side slightly, then pressing the other tab. Be gentle – Sanwa tabs can snap if forced.
  3. Pop out the button: While the tabs are depressed, push the button up from the bottom and out through the top of the panel. It should slide out. Remove any spacer or washer (if present) and set the old button aside.

Repeat for all buttons you plan to replace. If you have a stick with a metal control panel, be careful of sharp edges inside when pressing the tabs.

Step 3: Install the Silent OBSFE Buttons

With the old buttons removed, installing the new silent buttons is straightforward:

  1. Prepare the new button: Examine your Sanwa OBSFE silent button. It’s a snap-in 30mm button with similar dimensions to the standard OBSF-30. One subtle difference: the silent OBSFE’s plunger may lack the small locking tabs that standard Sanwa buttons have for removing the plunger cap. (This is due to the internal foam pad – you won’t need to disassemble the plunger for this install, just note the design change.)
  2. Insert into panel: Align the new button with the hole, ensuring the two side tabs are horizontal. Press it into the hole until both tabs click and lock on the underside of the panel. Important: Orient the button so that the microswitch connectors are in an accessible direction for wiring (usually facing where the wires come from). The Nacon Daija, for example, has a diagram indicating button layout – match the orientation similarly for a clean fit.
  3. Reconnect wires: Attach the two quick-disconnect wire terminals to the new button’s microswitch prongs. It doesn’t matter which terminal goes on which prong (either way completes the circuit). Ensure they are pushed on firmly. If your wires were color-coded or labeled, match them to the same button position as before. For the Daija, simply connect the matching color-coded wires as per the reference diagram. Double-check that each connector is fully seated and not loose.
  4. Repeat for all buttons: Continue replacing each button one by one, verifying that each new button locks securely and is wired correctly. Take care not to bend the microswitch prongs when attaching wires.

After installing all silent buttons, do a quick press test on each: press each button and feel for a distinct “soft” activation. You should hear a much quieter sound – more of a muted “thud” than a sharp click. The foam inside the OBSFE is absorbing the impact, which significantly reduces the noise of each press. Many users report that the loud clickety-clack becomes a duller sound, making late-night gaming or streaming more considerate to others.

Step 4: Reassemble and Verify

Double-check all connections: every button should have two wires firmly attached, and no wires should be pinched or caught out of place. If everything looks good, close up your fight stick:

  • Reattach the top or bottom panel and tighten all screws. For the Mayflash F700 Elite, ensure any internal harnesses or the battery (if it’s the wireless model) are positioned correctly before sealing the case.
  • If you removed a top plexi or artwork, replace it and secure any fasteners (the F700’s magnetic panel should snap back, and the Daija’s top should hinge down and latch).

Now plug in the stick and do a functional test on your PC or console. Test each button’s input in a game or controller diagnostics: all buttons should register normally (silent buttons have the same electrical function as regular ones). Finally, enjoy the quiet! You’ll notice you can execute moves without the controller sounding like a typewriter. This is especially appreciated if you play with others sleeping nearby or if you use an open mic while gaming.

Why Go Silent? Benefits and Tips

  • Dramatically Lower Noise: Silent Sanwa buttons use internal foam pads to dampen the sound when the plunger hits the housing. This lets you play in quiet environments without disturbing others. No more loud clacks echoing during streams or late-night sessions.
  • Improved Comfort: The button feel becomes slightly softer. Some players find this “mushy” in a good way – the cushion can reduce finger fatigue while still maintaining Sanwa’s trademark responsiveness.
  • Example – Nacon Daija Improvement: The Daija comes stock with Sanwa OBSF buttons, which are high quality but loud. By swapping to OBSFE silencers, you keep the quality and shave off noise. The Daija’s design makes this easy (color-coded wires and included tools), showing how premium sticks anticipate modding.
  • Example – Mayflash F700 Elite: The F700 Elite uses genuine Sanwa parts out of the box, but if you have the non-Elite F700 (which has generic buttons), swapping in silent OBSFEs not only quiets the stick but also upgrades the responsiveness to Sanwa standards. It’s a double win for performance and sound.
  • Alternate Silent Mods: If silent OBSFE buttons aren’t available in a certain style or size (remember, only 30mm snap-ins are offered), you can use silencer foam pads. Products like the Focus Attack “Silencer” are 1mm foam washers that fit into standard buttons to reduce noise. This is a great way to quiet 24mm buttons (for Start/Select) or other brands. The noise reduction from pads is noticeable – one user noted that after installing foam pads, friends no longer complained about button noise over voice chat.
  • Maintainability: Silent OBSFE buttons are just as durable as regular Sanwas, rated for millions of presses. If a microswitch fails, it can be replaced, though note that the silent plunger’s foam is not usually sold separately. Treat the buttons well (avoid spilling drinks on your stick, etc.) and they’ll last a long time.

By following this guide, you’ve transformed your fight stick into a stealthier machine without sacrificing performance. Enjoy the quieter clicks and consider linking this with broader fight stick mods – for instance, pairing silent buttons with a silent joystick (using silent microswitches or padding in the joystick) for an ultra-quiet experience. Happy modding!

If you’re evaluating joystick buttons, check our complete buyer’s guide to arcade buttons, and for a deep review of the best joysticks, read our Fight Stick guide and comparison.

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