Coin Door Question

[stalemate]

Hi everyone! Newbie here. I should do an official project announcement in the next day or two, but I'm getting ready to order a bunch of parts and I want to ask a question about coin doors.

I want to have an authentic looking coin door, but I don't want to use actual coins. I want to just press the button on the coin door and have it trigger insert coin. (left side player one, right side player two)

I'm probably over-complicating this, what is the most inexpensive and straightforward way to accomplish something like this?

I have thought of a few of ways, but I don't know if they are doable or not. I'm looking for some feedback about any of my ideas or just tell me I'm a dummy and there is a much simpler way. That's ok

Option 1:
Use one of these dummy doors from happ and hack it to use these Coin Drop Replacement buttons from GGG.

Looks like this way would run me 33.95 for the door and 8.95 each for the buttons for a total of 51.85 plus shipping

It seems pretty straight forward if it is actually possible to swap out the dummy button with the GGG/Novagem CDR button, but I don't know how realistic that is?

Option 2:
Same as above, but instead of an actual coin door start with a blank access panel and mount the CDR buttons to it. Seems like this would work but I wouldn't have the bezel looking coin return slot stuff at the bottom.

Total cost would be 26.65 for the panel and 8.95 each for the buttons so 44.55 plus shipping.

It would be barely cheaper than option 1 but wouldn't look as good, IMO. I would prefer option 1 to this if option 1 is possible without a major headache.

Option 3:
Buy an actual coin door and hack some switches onto the backs of the coin mech somehow. It seems hard to accomplish since I don't know what I am doing and also more expensive. The coin door itself is 76.10 and it seems overkill if I don't want to actually put coins in it.


Thoughts? If my option 1 is actually workable it seems like a good route to go, but I might be missing something even simpler. I've never actually had my hands on any of these type of parts to know what is doable and what isn't.

Thanks!

[kalars123]

if your not going to have your cab double as a piggy bank then go with option 1, it'll be the best looking easiest solution

[stalemate]

if your not going to have your cab double as a piggy bank then go with option 1, it'll be the best looking easiest solution

Thanks. That's pretty much where I am at with it too. That seems like the best solution.

The only thing I wasn't sure about was the feasibility. I wasn't sure if those dummy coin buttons will come off without making a total hackjob of it (leaving too large of a hole, making it difficult to mount the CDR buttons, etc).

I take it that should be ok?

[dfmaverick]

You could search for same/similar coin door on ebay. New or used (to refurbish) would possibly be cheaper.

If you are looking for new Happ parts, you may want to try contacting divemaster in the B/S/T forum since he could possibly get you a better deal no matter which option you try.

I only mention these options because if you've read enough around here, buying directly from Happ sometimes can get you a surprising shipping bill.

[Dr Zero]

What about a unreal door http://groovygamegear.com/webstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=89&products_id=308

with the coin buttons
http://groovygamegear.com/webstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=73&products_id=295

you get the look for alot less

[stalemate]

You could search for same/similar coin door on ebay. New or used (to refurbish) would possibly be cheaper.

If you are looking for new Happ parts, you may want to try contacting divemaster in the B/S/T forum since he could possibly get you a better deal no matter which option you try.

I only mention these options because if you've read enough around here, buying directly from Happ sometimes can get you a surprising shipping bill.

Thanks. I have never bought directly from Happ so it is good to know about the alternative.

[stalemate]

What about a unreal door http://groovygamegear.com/webstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=89&products_id=308

with the coin buttons
http://groovygamegear.com/webstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=73&products_id=295

you get the look for alot less

I considered it but I don't really think it is the look I want. I think I'll pursue my option 1 and if that doesn't pan out I'll regroup.

Thanks again for all the help, guys.

[stalemate]

In case anyone stumbles onto this and is curious where I ended up with it... I went with Option #2 and I am going to glue on some bezels to make it look like I have a coin return.

A few pics...

My blank door:




With buttons mounted:




And a planning shot showing kind of what the bezels will look like attached. It isn't exact because this was just to get the layout right before I mounted the buttons. I still need to trim some things off the backs of the bezels to get them to lay flat before I glue them on somehow:

[CheffoJeffo]

Missed this thread the first time around, but figured I would add my $0.02 -- Option 3 would be my vote. I did that for my MultiExidy and it was as easy as can be and works great.

[javeryh]

Missed this thread the first time around, but figured I would add my $0.02 -- Option 3 would be my vote. I did that for my MultiExidy and it was as easy as can be and works great.

Same here.  Option #3 is obviously the most versatile because you can set it up as a real coin door and use the coin reject switch as a hidden credit button.  Whenever I'm making a decision like this I never cut corners even if it costs a little more.  The extra $20, $30 or $100 or whatever isn't much over the life of the cab.

[wweumina]

To the OP, ur solution looks pretty good (and will look better when the buttons are flush). I also went with option 3, but I had access to a cheap coin door.

[ivwshane]

That's not a bad idea although I added micro switches to my door so I could use either coins (for people I don't like:p) or you can press the coin return button for the credit.

[gabe]

Inserting a quarter is one of my favorite things about the whole experience. I'd highly recommend sourcing a real coin door & coin mechs. Even with them installed, there is nothing that says you have to insert a quarter every time you play... A shift key works great for this. 

[Donkbaca]

Agreed, people get all giddy when you hand them a handful of tokens they don't expect the coin door to work, it really makes it feel more like an arcade and less like a cheap pc in a homemeade wooden box

[Woodshop Flunky]

I agree with others on a real coin door.

When I got the coin door mounted, my son just wanted to keep dropping tokens even though the PC wasn't even connected.

Whenever I'm making a decision like this I never cut corners even if it costs a little more.  The extra $20, $30 or $100 or whatever isn't much over the life of the cab.

+1...  I really debated spending the money on a functional door; but I'm glad I did.  My wife commented how neat it is that people can actually drop coins in the thing.  I'd spend it if you've got it.

[xgaming]

We just released a working coin-door with US Quarter Accepter/Mech, only $50.
http://www.xgaming.com/store/arcade-parts-and-accessories/product/arcade-machine-coin-door-led-coin-mech/

[jimfath]

For those of you that have an authentic 2-slot coin door with working mecs, are you cabs 2 or 4 players? Could a 2 slot coin door work on a 4player game like TMNT or Gauntlet? 

[AlienInferno]

For those of you that have an authentic 2-slot coin door with working mecs, are you cabs 2 or 4 players? Could a 2 slot coin door work on a 4player game like TMNT or Gauntlet? 

Mines a 2 player cab.  So far I've seen on 4 player games it will work but you can usually only choose the characters for player 1 and 2.  I do know that there is a TMNT rom that will let you choose which player you want to be.  TMNT (Oceania) I think is the name of it.  Not sure what the actual rom name is though.  There might be other 4 player games that work the same way.

[gamepimp]

That's not a bad idea although I added micro switches to my door so I could use either coins (for people I don't like:p) or you can press the coin return button for the credit.

I like this idea. I have a functional 4 player coin door but would like the option of not having to insert a token every time. Would u b willing to provide some insight on how u set up ur coin door so that the reject button acts as a switch?

[mgb]

I'm a fan of the real coin door with switches behind the coin returns.
But the route you took is really a good idea. I didn't think of that route. nice job

[syph007]

Option 3 for sure would have been best.   It's super easy to wire up a switch for credit.  Lots of examples if you search.

Ex.  http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=108270.0

[lisowskikevin]

In case anyone stumbles onto this and is curious where I ended up with it... I went with Option #2 and I am going to glue on some bezels to make it look like I have a coin return.

A few pics...

My blank door:




With buttons mounted:




And a planning shot showing kind of what the bezels will look like attached. It isn't exact because this was just to get the layout right before I mounted the buttons. I still need to trim some things off the backs of the bezels to get them to lay flat before I glue them on somehow:

Looks fantastic! Where did you get the bezels for the coin slots?

[lamprey]

Looks fantastic! Where did you get the bezels for the coin slots?

Second link in the first post:
http://groovygamegear.com/webstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=73&products_id=295

[EMDB]

Looks fantastic! Where did you get the bezels for the coin slots?

Second link in the first post:
http://groovygamegear.com/webstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=73&products_id=295

I think he meant the coin reject dummies...

[keilmillerjr]

We just released a working coin-door with US Quarter Accepter/Mech, only $50.
http://www.xgaming.com/store/arcade-parts-and-accessories/product/arcade-machine-coin-door-led-coin-mech/

X-arcade unit is 2-player. Coin door is 1-player. Umm...

[lisowskikevin]

Looks fantastic! Where did you get the bezels for the coin slots?

Second link in the first post:
http://groovygamegear.com/webstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=73&products_id=295

I think he meant the coin reject dummies...

It's ok I found someone online who sells them.

Thx!