Author Topic: Outdoor cabinet (Read 10532 times)

Donkbaca · « **on:** January 27, 2011, 05:14:31 pm »

Anyone built one? How do you keep moisture out and keep the darned thing ventilated? What materials did you use?

bkenobi · « **Reply #1 on:** January 27, 2011, 06:11:41 pm »

First, I'd never put any electronics outside without having a roof over them. At that point, I'd just expect that over time moisture WILL get into the cabinet and anything that can't handle it will require replacing. You can put some things in outdoor electrical boxes, but if they need venting, that won't work obviously. I'd just keep it covered from the rain and be happy with it while it's working.

FrizzleFried · « **Reply #2 on:** January 27, 2011, 06:25:51 pm »

Yeah.... I built an outdoor cabinet... a really big one.

Donkbaca · « **Reply #3 on:** January 27, 2011, 06:35:49 pm »

That cabinet is too big, I bet the bezel on it is enormous and the CP looks to user unfriendly...

Thinking about maybe a sort of deal where its a cabinet that has a laptop as its brains, so you can bring that in when not in use and dock it for when you want to play. Then you just need a weather proof screen, cabinet and wiring....

mgb · « **Reply #4 on:** January 29, 2011, 12:59:27 pm »

It also depends on where you live. Does it get below freezing.
Anything is possible to build, it's a question of how time and money.

Donkbaca · « **Reply #5 on:** January 29, 2011, 02:24:18 pm »

I have an idea on how to do it. I am Judy wondering if anyone had done it

Erik · « **Reply #6 on:** January 29, 2011, 03:16:35 pm »

Quote from: Donkbaca on January 29, 2011, 02:24:18 pm

I am Judy wondering if anyone had done it

Nice to meet you Judy. I'm not sure temperature is as big a deal as it first seems. Lots of people keep their video games and pinball machines in garages that stay below freezing for large parts of the year. Some of them even play pinball games at those temps, which sounds like a recipe for disaster but I guess it works for them.

I don't know how you'd handle the moisture. Maybe something built out of plastic like those Duramolds?

CheffoJeffo · « **Reply #7 on:** January 30, 2011, 10:13:24 am »

Quote from: Erik on January 29, 2011, 03:16:35 pm

Quote from: Donkbaca on January 29, 2011, 02:24:18 pm
I am Judy wondering if anyone had done it
Nice to meet you Judy. I'm not sure temperature is as big a deal as it first seems. Lots of people keep their video games and pinball machines in garages that stay below freezing for large parts of the year. Some of them even play pinball games at those temps, which sounds like a recipe for disaster but I guess it works for them.

Temperature shifts can be a huge issue ... when the electronics warm up and start sweating, shorts start happening and chips and caps can pop from warming up too quick.

Donkbaca · « **Reply #8 on:** January 30, 2011, 10:27:56 am »

Had anyone buy one? I am aware of the issues, I want to know if anyone has built one

Blanka · « **Reply #9 on:** January 30, 2011, 01:44:55 pm »

Build it like computer space. The continuous fiber-glass shell will keep the internals dry!

Smeghead · « **Reply #10 on:** January 31, 2011, 11:40:33 am »

why

Gray_Area · « **Reply #11 on:** January 31, 2011, 06:13:06 pm »

Quote from: FrizzleFried on January 27, 2011, 06:25:51 pm

Yeah.... I built an outdoor cabinet... a really big one.

Is there a purpose for the corner closest to be at an angle? Or is that an optical illusion due to variance in the land?

Donkbaca · « **Reply #12 on:** January 31, 2011, 06:16:07 pm »

Its obviously there for ergonomics....

Can't believe NOBODY has built an outdoor cab. I am thinking about integrating one into an outdoor bar. But not for a while... Yes I know moisture will be an issue, as about a billion people have written...

Thenasty · « **Reply #13 on:** January 31, 2011, 11:16:16 pm »

@FrizzleFried

can't wait to see whats in it ?

mgb · « **Reply #14 on:** February 01, 2011, 09:13:11 am »

If done right, I don't think moisture will be impossible to deal with. I work with fire alarm systems and cctv cameras and sometimes there are components outdoors.
You can use strip heaters and fans to control the moisture and temp.
You can also get larger bags of that silica stuff.
Of course to what degree do you have to go to depends on your climate, moisture will be more of an issue in Washington than in Arizona.

...But to answer your original question, judging by responses I would say no one here has built one

Rando · « **Reply #15 on:** February 01, 2011, 10:59:59 am »

I used to drive by a house that was out in the sticks a bit. Amidst the spare cars and various broken bikes and such in the yard, was a mesh sided tent with an arcade cabinet standing in it. I don't know what game it was, and there was never anyone IN the tent playing the game so I can't say if it worked, but I'd bet that unit had a soggy base.

severdhed · « **Reply #16 on:** February 01, 2011, 11:07:10 am »

i'd probably just build a light-weight lcd based bartop and carry it out when you want to play it...how often could you possibly find yourself wanting to play arcade games outdoors? i guess it depends greatly on the climate where you live, but here in Pennsylvania, this just wouldnt work. winter is out of the question because of the snow/ice. spring, summer and fall could be do-able, but during the day time, there would be too much light, making it difficult to see the screen. at night, it gets pretty damp, in the spring and fall it is pretty cool at night, and during the summer, it would be still hot and humid... why not just go inside where it is air conditioned and play games in comfort?

Donkbaca · « **Reply #17 on:** February 01, 2011, 11:40:26 am »

I live in California, its mostly dry and it gets cold, but not super cold. The initial thought is have an outdoor bar/kitchen area with an outdoor tv. Get a cheap laptop to make into a HTPC, build a discreet drawer with a dock, stick the laptop in and have it hooked up to an outdoor tv. I would like to integrate a touchscreen into the bar to use as an interface. I know there are industrial touchscreen monitors, but I am wondering if I can weatherproof one myself. Otherwise a wireless mouse would work. Thinking if I do all that might as well figure out a way to MAME it. So I would need to build a CP that would stand up to the elements.....

Anyhow, this project is at least a year or two on the horizon, just trying to figure out if anyone has built something out doors so I can r~~ipoff their idea~~ get inspired in my planning...

MidnightMenace! · « **Reply #18 on:** February 01, 2011, 05:19:03 pm »

i cant believe anyone would build an out door arcade??

if you must just make a counter top and bring it in when your not using it.

or you could do what the bank does

Donkbaca · « **Reply #19 on:** February 01, 2011, 05:22:55 pm »

If I brought it in, it wouldn't be an outdoor arcade, it would be a portable arcade.

Why do you people hate going outside so much?

I like arcade games, anywhere any time. I like outside. Hence arcade games outside seems like a logical thing to do.

SammyWI · « **Reply #20 on:** February 01, 2011, 09:09:13 pm »

Quote from: pinballjim on February 01, 2011, 12:38:21 pm

When I lived in the Caribbean, there was a bar down the street that had a Ms PacMan chained to a palm tree and powered with an extension cord. It worked for YEARS like that.

As long as it's out of the rain, you should be fine. Just put a 75W light bulb inside the cabinet on a timer to periodically burn off any moisture.

This isn't a bad idea. When we use electric motors and cabinets at work in non environmentally controlled areas, a heater is usually specified to be energized whenever the electrical component is turned off. (strip heaters as MGB posted) This prevents condensation build up. A 75 watt bulb would do much the same thing. But you'd have to pay for the electricity to run that bulb all the time the cab was off.

Electronics can be designed to with temperature extremes, moisture, etc in mind. But typical arcade boards or a PC isn't designed for that. You could buy an outdoor rated touchscreen but I don't think I try to weatherize one myself. Being in CA makes this easier than if you were in say Wisconsin but still a challenge.

Good luck and keep us posted.

mgb · « **Reply #21 on:** February 01, 2011, 10:46:13 pm »

Quote from: Donkbaca on February 01, 2011, 05:22:55 pm

I like arcade games, anywhere any time. I like outside. Hence arcade games outside seems like a logical thing to do.

Doesn't that more so justify building a portable arcade instead of an outdoor one?

Donkbaca · « **Reply #22 on:** February 01, 2011, 11:18:29 pm »

I dont see a portable arcade and an outdoor one being mutually exclusive.

It will be sweet, "hey Joe. Take over my galaga for a minute while I go flip burgers.

lilshawn · « **Reply #23 on:** February 01, 2011, 11:39:44 pm »

Quote

It will be sweet, "hey Joe. Take over my galaga for a minute while I go flip burgers.

why do that, when you can just put it right beside your BBQ....

*gasp*

the barbecue IS the cab... *gasp*

*begins scribbling feverously on a napkin*

Donkbaca · « **Reply #24 on:** February 01, 2011, 11:53:20 pm »

Now you are talking!

ids · « **Reply #25 on:** February 03, 2011, 03:47:10 pm »

I like where this is going, we just need to add a keg

newmanfamilyvlogs · « **Reply #26 on:** February 03, 2011, 03:52:59 pm »

Build it out of stone and mortar. Problem solved.

Donkbaca · « **Reply #27 on:** February 03, 2011, 04:32:30 pm »

Hmm. maybe my buddies at www.drinkngame.com can help with that...

Donkbaca · « **Reply #28 on:** February 03, 2011, 04:33:17 pm »

stone and mortar is weatherproof, anyone know what the throw distance is on stone and mortar sticks?

Smeghead · « **Reply #29 on:** February 04, 2011, 12:29:42 pm »

Why not an underwater cabinet? Or one that you can use while skiing? Or that resistant to the extreme heat of volcanos???

Donkbaca · « **Reply #30 on:** February 04, 2011, 12:46:24 pm »

Smeghead that is just silly.

1) no underwater cabinet at the moment because we haven't built the pool yet, waiting until the kids get older.

2) It would be dangerous to ski and game, plus they have dingoos and such you can just take with you

3) I live nowhere near a volcano.

I am surprised at all the negativity I am receiving from this thread. How is this such a bad idea to have a few beers, bar b que and do some gaming with your mates on a summer afternoon? Why is it okay to do this in a amp, musty basement, but not in the glorious outdoors? Does fresh air somehow take away from the BYOAC experience?

newmanfamilyvlogs · « **Reply #31 on:** February 04, 2011, 01:18:54 pm »

I wonder if the ATM suggestion wasn't that far off..

perhaps you could source an old Kiosk designed to be outdoors continuously and base the design around that. Those Redbox DVD rentals have an LCD screen in them that obviously stands up to weather reasonably well.

More wacky ideas: I wonder if you could 'seal' the microswitches against corrosion by building small reservoirs around them for mineral oil. It's non-conductive, and would keep moisture away.

RandyT · « **Reply #32 on:** February 04, 2011, 01:27:07 pm »

Quote from: Donkbaca on February 04, 2011, 12:46:24 pm

I am surprised at all the negativity I am receiving from this thread. How is this such a bad idea to have a few beers, bar b que and do some gaming with your mates on a summer afternoon? Why is it okay to do this in a amp, musty basement, but not in the glorious outdoors? Does fresh air somehow take away from the BYOAC experience?

No, but sunlight is nasty on most CRTs and LCDs. The great outdoors is a lot brighter than most interior lighting, and unless you are in a very shaded area, it's not going to be fun trying to see the screen. Any LCDs you see in outdoor installations are really bright (and expensive) ones intended for that application, and as a result, usually have terrible black level specifications.

No harm in this approach. You just have to account for the elements.

FrizzleFried · « **Reply #33 on:** February 04, 2011, 02:43:11 pm »

Quote from: Gray_Area on January 31, 2011, 06:13:06 pm

Quote from: FrizzleFried on January 27, 2011, 06:25:51 pm
Yeah.... I built an outdoor cabinet... a really big one.

Is there a purpose for the corner closest to be at an angle? Or is that an optical illusion due to variance in the land?

Optical illusion... the floor is flat and level... The ground slopes down toward the fences...

Donkey_Kong · « **Reply #34 on:** February 04, 2011, 02:54:08 pm »

Quote from: FrizzleFried on February 04, 2011, 02:43:11 pm

Quote from: Gray_Area on January 31, 2011, 06:13:06 pm
Quote from: FrizzleFried on January 27, 2011, 06:25:51 pm
Yeah.... I built an outdoor cabinet... a really big one.

Is there a purpose for the corner closest to be at an angle? Or is that an optical illusion due to variance in the land?

Optical illusion... the floor is flat and level... The ground slopes down toward the fences...

Ah, thats because you were only wearing one shoe.

leapinlew · « **Reply #35 on:** February 04, 2011, 03:21:06 pm »

Quote from: Donkbaca on February 04, 2011, 12:46:24 pm

I am surprised at all the negativity I am receiving from this thread. How is this such a bad idea to have a few beers, bar b que and do some gaming with your mates on a summer afternoon? Why is it okay to do this in a amp, musty basement, but not in the glorious outdoors? Does fresh air somehow take away from the BYOAC experience?

It's not negativity, it's authenticity. If there were arcades outside in our youth, than I could see people wanting to relive that. If you want to put an arcade besides the pool, thats your call. I would choose a pool and swimming with friends over a solo arcade game anytime.

An arcade outside in the daylight is just wrong. Dogs and cats getting along kind of wrong.

Donkbaca · « **Reply #36 on:** February 04, 2011, 04:12:38 pm »

Authenticity? So having a control panel with a flight stick, spinner, 4 8 way sticks is authentic? Never saw an arcade cabinet with that many controls on it. Never saw an arcade with led lighting on it. Never saw an arcade with with a widescreen LCD on it. I don't ever remember playing an arcade in a basement (though to be fair, not many basements in California...) I could go on and on and on.

I think it makes PERFECT sense. Point of a cab for me - relive the experience. Best part of the experience? Hanging out with buddies. I like to drink beer with buddies. Best place to drink beer with buddies? Outside, away from the women-folk. Thus, arcade outside makes sense.

Planning on putting a tv outside anyway, might as well hook up MAME to it. Yeah it won't be "authentic" but neither is having an aimtrak lightgun.

Not worried about the tv or the 'puter to run it. I think I have a good handle on how to do that bit. You can get an outdoor LCD TV, the computer can just be a laptop that I dock outside when I want to use it. Just thinking about how to do the controls right. Any ideas would be welcome

yotsuya · « **Reply #37 on:** February 04, 2011, 04:34:29 pm »

Donk-

FWIW, I was going to do the same thing. I wanted a machine to put out back on the patio so people could play during summertime barbeques/swim parties. I think it's a great idea.

newmanfamilyvlogs · « **Reply #38 on:** February 04, 2011, 04:36:25 pm »

Design it like a Tron environmental cab.. That would solve the sunlight issue and the direct weather getting on the controls.

Hell you could even work in a small A/C unit somewhere to pipe some cool air over you while you play in the heat.

leapinlew · « **Reply #39 on:** February 04, 2011, 04:58:58 pm »

Quote from: Donkbaca on February 04, 2011, 04:12:38 pm

Authenticity? So having a control panel with a flight stick, spinner, 4 8 way sticks is authentic? Never saw an arcade cabinet with that many controls on it. Never saw an arcade with led lighting on it. Never saw an arcade with with a widescreen LCD on it. I don't ever remember playing an arcade in a basement (though to be fair, not many basements in California...) I could go on and on and on.

I don't do any of those things. So... go build your cabinet outside already. You don't need anyones permission. You can quit being so defensive anytime you want. You want to hang out with buddies around a pool and play video games while girls are running around in swimsuits - go right ahead.

The game in The last star fighter was outside and we saw what happened to him.

Donkbaca · « **Reply #40 on:** February 04, 2011, 05:11:00 pm »

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 · « **Reply #41 on:** February 04, 2011, 05:20:43 pm »

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 · « **Reply #42 on:** February 04, 2011, 06:03:29 pm »

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 · « **Reply #43 on:** February 04, 2011, 06:25:17 pm »

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 · « **Reply #44 on:** February 04, 2011, 07:40:13 pm »

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 · « **Reply #45 on:** February 05, 2011, 11:35:19 am »

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

CheffoJeffo · « **Reply #46 on:** February 05, 2011, 01:28:30 pm »

Quote from: Blanka on February 05, 2011, 11:35:19 am

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 · « **Reply #47 on:** February 06, 2011, 10:44:02 am »

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 · « **Reply #48 on:** February 07, 2011, 09:07:08 pm »

Quote from: leapinlew on February 04, 2011, 03:21:06 pm

Dogs and cats getting along kind of wrong.

I think it's charming.

MonMotha · « **Reply #49 on:** February 07, 2011, 10:06:25 pm »

Quote from: CheffoJeffo on February 05, 2011, 01:28:30 pm

Quote from: Blanka on February 05, 2011, 11:35:19 am
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 · « **Reply #50 on:** February 07, 2011, 10:35:27 pm »

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.


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