Outdoor cabinet

[Donkbaca]

Leapinlew, you have definite cred then 

Not looking for permission, just ideas other than the,  "You know, moisture will be an issue.. " and the "why the F would you want to do that?" replies.

Just to give you guys an insight into the thought evolution:

Outside patio would be sweet with a b-b-q, built in cooler for beverages.  Maybe a grill, sink, cooler.  That was the initial thought. 
Then I went over to an uncle's house, and saw his get-up,  - grill, b-b-q, sink, cooler and TV. 

Then thought it would be easy to wire speakers and such outside, for a TV, they have specific outdoor stuff for tv's and speakers and such, so why not add a laptop dock, and touchscreen, and have an outdoor jukebox?  Then I thought, well if I have a TV and PC outside, why not add MAME to it?

So I need to figure out a way to make my controls weatherproof, so that all I would have to do is bring the laptop outside and dock it, instead of having to bring a box of crap out there to increase the entertainment factor...

[bkenobi]

If you are planning on having the PC being a laptop that you dock during play and the display will actually be a TV...why not just build a control panel with the laptop in it and have it latch to some base when it's time to play?  That solves any issues with keeping the controls dry and you don't have to move a machine inside (just a box of whatever size your controls are).

FWIW, I think a TV outside is a really good idea...conceptually.  I want to put one by the hot tub, but I don't know how well that would work with the steam and all.  We just moved, so it's a while before I make that plunge anyway.

If you move forward with the build, make sure to create a project thread so people can see how you do things.  Doing so will help the next person who has the same question.   

[Donkbaca]

Yeah, that might work, but the CP might be a little too heavy.  Plus, I would want to use the PC as a juke box and stream Pandora on it, or acces my home media files, for when we aren't playing games.  Thinking about a way to maybe integrate the controls into the bar top, or build a sturdy outdoor box that I can just keep in the bar outside....

[upprc04]

Why not make a control panel with a cover?  That way you can put the cover on and it will "blend" in when not in use and be safe from most of the outdoor conditions.  If you live somewhere where you would encounter extreme temperatures you could bring in the control panel box.  It may be heavy, but how often would you be moving it around?  Once or twice a year?

[bkenobi]

There are more than one example here of people building their controls into their bars.  Perhaps you could do something similar so the controls hide away (and are protected).  If not, a cover that turns the CP into more beer space could work nicely!

[Blanka]

Do you need joysticks? I think if you use just buttons, there is no problem to leave it uncovered.

[CheffoJeffo]

Do you need joysticks? I think if you use just buttons, there is no problem to leave it uncovered.

Yeah, because buttons are spill-proof ... 

[bkenobi]

This is why I have a game room with french doors out to the deck/BBQ area.  This summer, I'll be able to leave those open so it will be like having outdoor cabs with controlled lighting.  Now if I can just convince my friends I don't really live in the boonies...   

[Gray_Area]

Dogs and cats getting along kind of wrong.

I think it's charming.

[MonMotha]

Do you need joysticks? I think if you use just buttons, there is no problem to leave it uncovered.

Yeah, because buttons are spill-proof ... 

Standard arcade buttons aren't, but you can certainly get "industrial grade" pushbuttons rated to IP67.  That'll withstand being hit with a power washer!  They're not overly cheap, but they're certainly available.  Some of the more "standard sizes" are even pretty close to the size of a typical arcade pushbutton, though the actuation force is probably higher.  You can even get them in lighted flavors.

Check out any "industrial supply" outfit like Grainger, McMaster-Carr, etc.  Allied Electronics has a decent selection of these things, too.

[drventure]

I think it's a cool idea. It'd be fun to play joust out by the pool in the summer.

it'll need a shaded monitor. Put great big rubber wheeled castors on it to wheel it into the garage, make em the locking kind, and presto, moisture problems solved! Plus you can scoot it around to get some shade on the monitor more easily.

Plenty of people around here (Dallas) have TV's on their back patio, leave em there all the time.