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Game Grid -- *ALMOST FINISHED* Rotating panel and rotating monitor.
phildo77:
Update:
Here are some pics before painting of all parts (primer is on obviously):
After panels have been installed:
Here's a shot of the diode backlighting strip:
Shot of the artwork under lacquer:
This was a pain in the ass. I really wanted the lacquer to be OVER the artwork but it ate the adhesive on the back of the artwork. If anyone wants tips on this let me know. One side of my cab was great, the other side looks like garbage because of this issue. I'll post more pics of the finished product when I'm done building. I DO think the powder coated aluminum turned out great though!! (Panel separator bars and kickplates)
Shot after I'd started a little bit of wiring:
I bought EICE2 buttons for all buttons on the machine and had 12V LED strips to backlight some of the panels. This meant SIX 32 output LEDWIZ controllers. All LEDs (except the backlight strips) are RGB LEDs. I originally had casters to hold the weight of the monitor rotation disc. I upgraded to skate wheels (with bearings) and this improved things substantially!
My 1 year old boy, Logan, REALLY wants to know what the hell is going on with this giant monstrosity in the living room (god bless the wife for letting me complete it inside. Its like 115 degrees in Arizona):
After a couple of days more of wiring:
It's a rat's nest. I guided and channeled most of the wires but when it got to power and USB for the LEDWIZ/OPTIPAC there's not much I can do to control it. I'm using DSUB connectors for quick disconnect when I need to move the thing (which will be in a week when we relocate to Iowa). I expect to be complete within the next couple of days. After that the only thing left is the fiberglass covers for the side wings (player's 3 and 4). Oh god I hope this thing powers up without issue. I'm also a little concerned about having the 12V lamps behind the translucent trackballs. I'm thinking about upgrading to white LEDs. I'll post completion pics when I'm done in a couple of days.... I hope...
phildo77:
Video of attract mode
Large:
Small:
Picture of Cab: (Flash was on so you can't see the lights very well... Watch the videos!)
We're getting ready to move next week so I don't have a whole lot of time for posting details yet.
Quick features:
Rotating Monitor (manual switch activated motor)
Rotating Control Panel
Backlit Control Panels
And I'm still waiting on the fabrication of the wing fiberglass covers (hence all the wires hanging out the sides.)
And holy God did that suck up my time. Where did the last 5 months go? Lets just say I never wanna deal with lacquer again...
DaOld Man:
Looks good!
I agree that building these things can make you enter a time warp. You wake up and it's several months later.
I like the way this is turning out. But you gotta tie the rotating monitor back to automatic rotating software.
Are you going to motorize the rotating panel? It would be neat to have it rotate automatically based on game selected.
phildo77:
I thought about motorizing the panel but decided against it. With all the wires coming in and out of it I don't want to increase the risk of damaging the wires on accident with an automatic motor. I'd rather turn it with my hands and be able to feel if anything seems wrong while turning.
phildo77:
--- Quote from: phildo77 on April 19, 2010, 10:52:19 pm ---
--- Quote from: DaOld Man on April 19, 2010, 07:48:44 pm ---...
I mounted my motor on a disc at the back of the monitor, so the video interference from the motors magnets wasnt as bad, however I could still see it slightly.
I power the monitor down during rotation. When the monitor powers back on, it degausses, so that takes care of the magnetic interference.
...
--- End quote ---
That's one of the main things I'm worried about. I'm not using a monitor, I'll have a 27" CRT TV. Last time I rotated a TV the degauss didn't work well... If at all. (factory degauss). I think I'm going to have to do the same thing (power off, rotate, power on/degauss) and pray that it works.. Otherwise I'll have to build my own degauss circuit and figure out how to mount THAT as well.
--- End quote ---
Ok. So we've made it to Iowa and we're finally getting settled and I'm able to attack the few remaining issues on the box, one of which includes this degauss problem. The TV is a "newer" CRT (it has component in) and has the giant degauss cable going around the outside of the back of the screen. I've set up a relay circuit (I think similar to the one daOldMan put together a diagram for... Thank you!) that shuts off the tv while the motor is turning. When the TV is vertical and the motor stops the color is still whack. Degauss fail. Ideas? Quick solutions? Or do I need to make my own degauss coil?
Other TODO items include:
1) MODERATE - Replace sensors on rotating optical joysticks (blown by incorrect wiring as I read the WRONG post on here somewhere) :banghead:
2) EXTREMELY DIFFICULT - Complete fiberglass (or other material) covers for player 3 and 4 wings.
3) EASY - Install gun sensor and s/w setup.
4) MODERATE - Reinforce motor axle so chain slippage does not occur during rotate.
5) MODERATE - Sand and refinish lacquer sides due to damage done during move.
6) EASY - Procure and install Speaker Grates