Author Topic: Why Coin Doors??? (Read 12300 times)

Gromet · « **on:** August 22, 2003, 04:17:43 pm »

Just a quick question, why does everyone building machines from scratch put coin doors in them? Is it just for the astetics? I don't get it? Does anyone charge, or put quarters in them? Do you use them as coin input buttons, wouldn't that get a bit annoying after a while, isn't it easier just to put a button on you CP? I understand on a dedicated cabinet, but a mame cabinet? Could someone please enlighten me.

Thanks

AlanS17 · « **Reply #1 on:** August 22, 2003, 04:21:02 pm »

It's the authenticity factor.

Wouldn't you feel a bit odd pushing a button for credits? I know I would. It would be like not including the marquee. It's just one of those things that belongs on a machine (IMO).

Gromet · « **Reply #2 on:** August 22, 2003, 04:25:12 pm »

"Wouldn't you feel a bit odd pushing a button for credits?"

Even with a coin door wouldn't you still have to push a button to get a credit?

SirPoonga · « **Reply #3 on:** August 22, 2003, 04:27:51 pm »

Well, the coin activate the button as usual:)

Many people, like me, put a coin door on for looks. It wouldn't be an arcade machine without one.

BobA · « **Reply #4 on:** August 22, 2003, 04:28:10 pm »

You can wire the credit input to the actual coin switch. This means you have to insert a coin or working token to get a credit.

BobA

TalkingOctopus · « **Reply #5 on:** August 22, 2003, 04:28:28 pm »

Quote from: Gromet on August 22, 2003, 04:25:12 pm

"Wouldn't you feel a bit odd pushing a button for credits?"

Even with a coin door wouldn't you still have to push a button to get a credit?

No - that is the whole point of having one. To get a credit for mame (or zinc or any arcade emu for that matter) you insert a quarter. I am very glad that I put a coin door in. Pressing a button for a quarter would just feel odd. I keep a bucket of quarters next to my arcade.

AlanS17 · « **Reply #6 on:** August 22, 2003, 04:31:04 pm »

Well I can't keep a bucket of quarters next to my machine. They would all get stolen. However, I would never deactivate my coin door for anything. I almost installed credit buttons on my CP, but I snapped out of it in time. I may even install credit buttons inside the coin door at some point to protect the mechs from getting worn out, but I wouldn't have a machine without a door if I could afford it.

SirPoonga · « **Reply #7 on:** August 22, 2003, 04:39:28 pm »

Quote from: AlanS17 on August 22, 2003, 04:31:04 pm

Well I can't keep a bucket of quarters next to my machine. They would all get stolen.

One word, TOKENS.

AlanS17 · « **Reply #8 on:** August 22, 2003, 04:42:23 pm »

Hey good idea! Got any free tokens you can spare? And some token mechs too while you're at it.

tmasman · « **Reply #9 on:** August 22, 2003, 04:45:56 pm »

A little OT, but I don't want to start a new thread...

Speaking of Mechs...
Does anybody know if you can adjust a quarter mech to accept tokens?
I've got quarter mechs, but I would like to use tokens in my machines...

I haven't even taken the time to look at them yet, but this would be a nice piece of
info to know...

Anybody?

AlanS17 · « **Reply #10 on:** August 22, 2003, 04:49:33 pm »

I think you'll likely need a new mech...

Dartful Dodger · « **Reply #11 on:** August 22, 2003, 04:53:28 pm »

Just another quick question, why does everyone building machines from scratch make them so bulky and force people to stand in one place and directly in front of them. I would find that a bit anoying after a while. Wouldn't it be easier to build it so you can hide it in you home entertainment center and give the control panels long cables so you can sit on your couch and play your games on your tv?

Could someone please enlighten me.

Dartful Dodger · « **Reply #12 on:** August 22, 2003, 04:54:50 pm »

Oh that's right, cause then it wouldn't be an arcade machine.

BombProofPlane · « **Reply #13 on:** August 22, 2003, 05:06:02 pm »

just buy some old token mechs and sell your quarter mechs and you probably will endup making money

AlanS17 · « **Reply #14 on:** August 22, 2003, 05:09:40 pm »

1) I wouldn't know where to get token mechs.
2) I don't have the quarter mechs. The operator kept them.
3) I'd still have to spend money to buy the tokens.

Edit:
4) I'm a cheap mofo.

Hoagie_one · « **Reply #15 on:** August 22, 2003, 05:14:39 pm »

Quote from: AlanS17 on August 22, 2003, 05:09:40 pm

4) I'm a cheap mofo.

Me too

CCM · « **Reply #16 on:** August 22, 2003, 05:15:23 pm »

I have a coin door in my cabinet only because it was there when I bought the cab.. It doesn't work, but it still gives it that authentic look, which I like. I like the look of the coin doors, but I also like the convienence of the credit buttons on my CP. I don't really see a need to keep a bunch of quarters or tokens laying around just for my wife and I...

AlanS17 · « **Reply #17 on:** August 22, 2003, 05:17:25 pm »

If I had credit buttons they would be inside the coin door.

In fact, for authenticities sake I may be removing all my administration buttons.

tmasman · « **Reply #18 on:** August 22, 2003, 05:22:51 pm »

Quote from: Hoagie_one on August 22, 2003, 05:14:39 pm

Quote from: AlanS17 on August 22, 2003, 05:09:40 pm

4) I'm a cheap mofo.

Me too

Me three...

I'll probably keep the mechs for a future restore... I'm converting an old cab into a 2 Slot Neo-Geo w/ Aero Fighters 2 and whatever else I can get my hands on. I figure I'll probably be restoring/converting another cab. in the future... (After the October Auction maybe...

)

Thanks for the info though!

AlanS17 · « **Reply #19 on:** August 22, 2003, 05:28:03 pm »

(prepare to go off topic really wuick here)

You can get your choice of NeoGeo carts on Ebay for really cheap. Some (like the Metal Slugs) will be more expensive than others, but none of them are crazy expensive.

SirPoonga · « **Reply #20 on:** August 22, 2003, 05:31:11 pm »

Quote from: AlanS17 on August 22, 2003, 05:09:40 pm

1) I wouldn't know where to get token mechs.
2) I don't have the quarter mechs. The operator kept them.
3) I'd still have to spend money to buy the tokens.

Edit:
4) I'm a cheap mofo.

1) 2) 3) Ebay!

Happs has them too. There are quarter sized token too.

Gromet · « **Reply #21 on:** August 22, 2003, 05:33:07 pm »

Don't get me wrong, I don't want anyone to think I am putting them down, I totalyy understand the whole authentic look reason.

When I'm playing a game though like gauntlet, or whatever, and I need to add a credit the last thing I want to have to do is dig into a bucket of tokens or quarters, and find the slot and all that, i used to hate that in the arcades, I have a credit next to each player start button I think it just makes things much simpler.

I considered putting one in just for the authentic look, but having to have a key to open them, cause I wouldn't want to keep the key in the slot (that wouldn't look good and would most likely get broken off) and I have my dvd rom drive directly behind my access door for quick access.

ohhh well, just a matter of taste I guess.... thanks.

Grasshopper · « **Reply #22 on:** August 22, 2003, 05:34:10 pm »

Hmmm. There is another reason why working coin doors make sense.

A lot of the newer games are spoilt by having unlimited continues. This doesn't matter in a real arcade because the amount you can play a game is limited by how much money you have available.

I find with several otherwise excellent games (the Metalslug series for instance) the temptation to keep putting in extra virtual coins and pressing continue is just too great. This spoils the fun because it doesn't really matter when you lose a life and you can easily complete the game without having any real skill.

If you have a coin door fitted then you can lock the door and hide the key away somewhere. You are then forced to play for only as long as the coins you have on you will allow.

It's also a great way to use up loose change and save up money. Think of your arcade cabinet as being a very expensive piggy bank.

tmasman · « **Reply #23 on:** August 22, 2003, 05:45:10 pm »

Quote from: AlanS17 on August 22, 2003, 05:28:03 pm

(prepare to go off topic really wuick here)

You can get your choice of NeoGeo carts on Ebay for really cheap. Some (like the Metal Slugs) will be more expensive than others, but none of them are crazy expensive.

Yeah... I just saw a Metal Slug go for $36

I missed it... And there are a bunch of others around that price... ($25 - $60 really).

As far as a coin door goes... Of course my Neo-Geo will use one, but my Mame cab? I'm still trying to decide. I might just modify my mechs to accept any coin and use the machine as a piggy bank for all my change. Of course there will be admin buttons inside the coin door too, but I think using coins would also help keep me from ignoring my wife too much when I finally get the Mame machine up & running.

I've also been playing around with random ideas of how to hide a button on or near the CP for credits... (Like a carriage bolt head that is really a button in disguise)

wescotte · « **Reply #24 on:** August 22, 2003, 07:23:21 pm »

I agree putting a coin door on for authentic arcade look is a must. However most of my friends don't want to keep jamming in quaters all the time. So decided to mount 4 buttons hidden under the control panel for credits. Both are wired at all times. If they want to use real quaters they can if not simply hit the buttons. I also don't have a 4 player coindoor so for certain games it's required to have buttons.

Eric

TheTick · « **Reply #25 on:** August 22, 2003, 07:56:51 pm »

The Happs coin mechs on my coin door are adjustable by a screw driver. You have to play with it but you can decrease the sensitivity so some tokens will work.

I installed switches behind my coin reject buttons. Insert a coin and a credit registers. Push the little coin reject button and a credit registers.

jakejake28 · « **Reply #26 on:** August 22, 2003, 08:31:47 pm »

i used a coin door but no mech: i used the coin return button for coins.

night · « **Reply #27 on:** August 22, 2003, 08:42:11 pm »

it would be completely useless to me. i dont wanna have to screw with that everytime i play a game. just push a button and go.

i only have 1 coin button. and all 4 players are mapped to it. so hit the button once and every spot gets a coin. and most games dont have individual coin sides. so hit it 5 times and all players can play for quite a while w/o ever worrying about it again.

Cisco Kid · « **Reply #28 on:** August 22, 2003, 11:19:50 pm »

I like using a coin door ... and quarters too

For me ... if it takes coins or tokens (cost you to play) ... its an arcade machine .... if you just push a button for credits then its a gaming console (X-Box, Gamecube, PS2) ... just a different housing is all ... just my take on it

For example .... take Mortal Kombat

Button Credit
----------------------------
You hit the credit button a few times and it make the traditional credit sound ... and your off playing.

Not real authentic if you ask me

(plus you tend to hit the credit button way more than you would if you were actually inserting quarters.)

Coin Door Credit
----------------------------
You pull a few quaters from your pocket and bend over slightly to insert them. You hear the coins going through the coin mech and dropping into the coin box ... that sound alone is worth every penny. Then MK makes that cool credit sound (which actually matches up to what it should ... inserted quarters) ... your get geared up to make it all the way through the game because that was your only $0.50.

Definitely seems more authentic

Plus its funny to see how much you spend a week playing ... its insane ... ah ... to have been an arcade operator in the late 80' and early 90's ... blink blink

thats just my take on the whole coin door issue

Daver4676 · « **Reply #29 on:** August 22, 2003, 11:35:42 pm »

I know I'll probably be repeating everyone elses thoughts but...

Some games are ruined totally by effortlessly hitting the credit button (Gauntlet especially). Having to slide a coin in makes the option of continuing a little more authentic (either when you have a finite number of coins to work with before having to whip out a key or when you've got 10 seconds to get that quarter devilishly lodged in your pocket).

SirPoonga · « **Reply #30 on:** August 23, 2003, 12:05:48 am »

When I play a game I usually just load up 5 credits and go, make the most with that.

grafixmonkey · « **Reply #31 on:** August 23, 2003, 12:57:10 am »

My solution:

Inside my coin door, there is a pull chain switch I got at a hardware store (normally for turning a lamp on and off). Pull the chain and it toggles the ground connection that goes to the coin buttons. There's also a label in the panel art that says "Press for Free Play when Lit". So, pull the chain, some lights turn on and the buttons work. Pull it again, and it's coins only!

EDIT:
nobody would know because my pics aren't up yet (where's that dang camera?) but my "cab" is not a "cab" per se... until I have the cash for a dedicated screen, it is an arcade control podium that hooks into the existing stereo and TV. So there's no authenticity thing going on whatsoever! Still looking for a reasonably priced, large computer monitor. (was going to get a TV or arcade tube, but then found Emulaxian/3DArcade which needs 1024x768.)

1UP · « **Reply #32 on:** August 23, 2003, 03:53:42 am »

I bought a bag of 500 used tokens for $5 off ebay. 90% of them were quarter sized or close to it. I have .25c coin mechs, which have adjustments for thickness and diameter of coins it will accept. I set mine to max thickness, and maximum diameter, so they accept anything resembling a quarter (they'd probably accept slugs too...yes, all the kids want to play at MY arcade!

)

Anyway, I also added some microswitches in line with my coin return buttons, so I can use them as credit buttons rather than cluttering my panels with extra buttons. There is a toggle switch inside the coin door (the original TEST switch) so I can disable the coin buttons for tokens-only play. I'm thinking this will come in handy when my nephews are old enough to play, limiting their play time and (hopefully) preventing fights...

The authenticity factor is really cool. It just wouldn't be a "real" arcade machine without that finishing touch!

BombProofPlane · « **Reply #33 on:** August 23, 2003, 04:02:08 am »

why do you guys with the coin buttons have them

how hard is it to create a combination with the start buttons and joystick to get credits rather than a tacky credit button

you guys with switches behind coin return why dont you just drill a screw into the white plastick and put ground through the steal and you got an instant switch

SirPoonga · « **Reply #34 on:** August 23, 2003, 04:08:29 am »

Because I needed to use my midway switches!

GSXRMovistar · « **Reply #35 on:** August 23, 2003, 07:51:10 am »

On the subject of coin doors can a 25c mech be adjusted to accept other coins (ideally any uk coins)?

Reason I ask is Happs with supply a coin door wirh 25c mechs but wants more for them to be replaced by uk mechs

zzsprade · « **Reply #36 on:** August 23, 2003, 11:39:48 am »

Quote from: AlanS17 on August 22, 2003, 05:17:25 pm

If I had credit buttons they would be inside the coin door.

In fact, for authenticities sake I may be removing all my administration buttons.

AlanS17,

Mate I am curious how you are going to be going about removing all administration buttons? This is something I would be interested in doing myself.

-Alex

IceCold · « **Reply #37 on:** August 23, 2003, 11:50:57 am »

Quote from: zzsprade on August 23, 2003, 11:39:48 am

AlanS17,

Mate I am curious how you are going to be going about removing all administration buttons? This is something I would be interested in doing myself.

-Alex

Why don't you just put a keyboard behind the coin door?

zzsprade · « **Reply #38 on:** August 23, 2003, 12:10:54 pm »

IceCold,

Sorry mate maybe I was thinking that far ahead. I was thinking more along the lines of Start Game, End Game etc. Not so much the actually Administration Menus now that you meant it. My mistake.

-Alex

Sasquatch! · « **Reply #39 on:** August 23, 2003, 12:46:58 pm »

I didn't put a coin door on my first cab (I just had a green "credit button"), and I really wished that I did. The "authenticity" of having an arcade cabinet was kind of blown when I had to tell people "Just push the green button for a credit; it's like inserting a coin!" I put a coin door in my second cab, and I don't regret it ONE BIT.

Quote from: SirPoonga on August 22, 2003, 04:39:28 pm

Quote from: AlanS17 on August 22, 2003, 04:31:04 pm
Well I can't keep a bucket of quarters next to my machine. They would all get stolen.
One word, TOKENS.

That's what I did too. I bought token mech and swapped them with the quarter mechs, and then bought 100 tokens for it. They sit in a little jar near the machine. Much less likely to get stolen during parties.


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Author Topic: Why Coin Doors??? (Read 12300 times)

Cisco Kid