@Clyde I loved playing Tron in the Arcades, but of course it's virtually impossible to play without the right controls. I've got a few full-size arcades and 1 Arcade1UP and running out of room for much else. Using the GRS products to build a custom Tron controller solved those problems.

@Voljega Updated the post with names, plus included a list of games currently working on it. I run advmame 1.4 with 0.106 ROM set. - ws

I'm also building a Tron/DOT, but I'm reproducing a Mad Planets cab which also has those controls. You gotta bite the bullet and get Groovy Game Gear's Turbo Twist https://groovygamegear.com/webstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=86&products_id=311 It comes with an interface board. Its the only push/pull solution out there. I have a spinner, and I was going to mod it to push-pull, but tick-tock.

Then you have to bite an even bigger bullet and get this: https://na.suzohapp.com/products/accessories/50-9975-02 you can use any ol encoder for that.

I have all the parts, I just need to assemble it. Haven't had time. I should put the control panel together first then I could share it with you.

cheers
ws

I am talking into the void at this point on this thread but I did find a solution for this for anyone searching the interweb in the future like I was. I end arounded this "joystick 1" problem with hardware. I purchased an additional USB controller board ($10) and configured it as well. Once I determined which board advmame assigned to J1 I just moved the joystick wiring to the other board that was assigned J3 then remapped in the Tab menu to those controls. I now technically have 3 controllers but only 2 actual functional controllers on the arcade control panel itself. I would guess there is a software way to fix this but it was way easier to eat $10 and save the time and hassle of troubleshooting and hours of reading config files with no actual knowledge :)