Single, illuminated on/off button?

[Christolito]

Hi,
im hooking up 2 Ultrastik360 to my MAME cab-in-progress. I was thinking of just using the U360s input for all my buttons (8 max / joystick);

6 controller buttons
1 left/right flipper
1 1/2 player button

http://www.flickr.com/photos/christolito/4916643988/#in/set-72157622889858421/

My question; I would like to install an illumintaed on/off button, at the front, between the 1-2 player buttons. This button should turn on and off the computer. Since i dont have any more space on my U360s, how can i achive this?

[BobA]

The on/off button is usually wired to the same pins on the MB where the PC on/off button is wired.  It does not have to go thru an interface like your Ultrastick.  You can either replace the PC on/off button or wire your CP on/off button in parallel.  The LED to light the button can be powered from a PC connector so it will turn on and off with the computer.

imho the center of your CP is not the best place for the on/off button.  It will surely be hit by accident.

[Christolito]

You have a valid point, sir.  Hmm. Since my 8 slots on each is already taken, do you guys have any other idea in how could utilize that slot, which I already have drilled.  Is there any one button to usb interface? Seems a bit over the top in buying a I-Pac for 1 button... Or should i ditch the U360? There may be more buttons i need? I was going for the 360, since it have an easy 2/4/8 way switching + the button inputs.

[Hoopz]

As BobA said, if you are using the one button for power, you do NOT connect it to an encoder like the I-Pac.  You wire it directly to the PC. 

This thread may help:

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=105301.0

[BobA]

You have a valid point, sir.  Hmm. Since my 8 slots on each is already taken, do you guys have any other idea in how could utilize that slot, which I already have drilled.  Is there any one button to usb interface? Seems a bit over the top in buying a I-Pac for 1 button... Or should i ditch the U360? There may be more buttons i need? I was going for the 360, since it have an easy 2/4/8 way switching + the button inputs.

Since you have already drilled the hole put a hidden button on the top or another out of the way place on your cab.  Wire it in series with the power button on your CP and you will have to push both butons at the same time to turn your cab on or off.   Keep the look but add a bit of security.

[severdhed]

don't put your power button anywhere near the panel, that is asking for trouble...on top of the cabinet, or inside the coin door are probably the best options. (both of mine have them on top of the cabinet so they are easy for adults to get to, but out of the way so kids cant get them, and nobody can accidentally push it and turn it off in the middle of a game)  On our cabinet at work, the power button is on the end of the panel, and it has accidentally been pressed several times in the middle of the game.


i'm not sure how you have your buttons configured...i'm assuming 6 buttons per player, plus start and coin buttons for each?  i'd probably use that center hole for an exit button, but since you dont have any more inputs left on your encoder, you would have to get creative.  you could always hack a cheap usb gamepad to get a few more inputs, or even a mouse if you are only using mame.  mame inputs can be remapped to anything, even mouse buttons.  you could throw a cheap old mouse in there and get 2 or 3 more button inputs if you needed them.

otherwise having two power buttons like BobA suggested may be the best choice.

[eds1275]

You want flippers, 6 buttons each, and start... what about coin buttons? I'd personally just get a small USB encoder. It sounds like you've run out of inputs, and left yourself no room to expand.

[Christolito]

Yeapp, im starting to realize that a power switch at the front wasnt the good of an idea...  So, thanks for the heads up guys. Yeah, maybe a mouse would do it. Or maybe just go with an I-PAC and 2 JLW-TM-8... Then I could have the front/center button as a coin button... Will the 8/4 way issue (in MAME and other emulators) be an issue? Or can you work around it without manually switching the restrictor plates from under the stick?   

[severdhed]

the JLW sticks are awesome, both for 4 way and 8 way.  to change the restrictor however, you need to loosen 4 screws, rotate and then tighten them.  not exactly an easy thing to do frequently.  if you like the classic 4 way games (who doesnt?) then you may want to consider a dedicated 4way stick.   you can wire it in parallel with the player 1 stick so it doesnt take any more inputs on your encoder.
 

I have two u360s that i used in my 2 player mame cabinet, and i loved them.  they work great and are very versatile.  if you want a clean, uncluttered panel, you can't beat the u360 sticks.  however while they are the best over all stick, if you have the room for dedicated controls, you can get a better experience.  i converted my 2 player cabinet to a vertical classics cabinet with only a 4way (JLW), trackball and 3 buttons.  so when i was setting up my 4 player showcase cabinet, i put my two u360s (players 1 and 2) in along with two JLWs in 8way mode.  i liked the JLWs so much better than the U360s, that i moved them to players 1 and 2.  i ended up installing two x-arcade sticks for players 3 and 4, which i will replace with two more JLWs after Christmas.  i still like my u360s, and they will hopefully get used in a bartop or two that i may put together here some time. 

[DeLuSioNal29]

the JLW sticks are awesome, both for 4 way and 8 way.  to change the restrictor however, you need to loosen 4 screws, rotate and then tighten them.  not exactly an easy thing to do frequently. 

No exactly... If you buy plastic washers to replace the metal ones, it slides easily without have to loosen anything.

Ultimarc.com sells them already modded.



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