Is this wiring ok or should I rewire

[jimfath]

So I am going to be installing LED buttons on my old MAME machine (I bought different ones to test. I'm going to make a side by side video comparison at some point). In looking inside the cp, I'm wondering if I should rewire it while I'm in there. I didn't build it originally and, in researching about wiring on this site and a few others, I'm not sure what was going on with the wiring. Most wire jobs I've seen use daisy chained grounds. However it's usually a 2 player cp. This rig has uses Cat5 cables and the grounds are all screwed down to posts in a rather big pile. Is this necessary for a 4 player+extra controls cp? Would daisy chaining them make a bigger mess?  I'm thinking of rewiring to make room for the led controllers and wires. Plus I work in Telecom and wire management is sort of an addiction that I get paid for. I don't want to start rewiring it only to relize I've created an even bigger monster.

So, should I try to button up the wiring by redoing it completely?

Also, side question, are joystick housings standard? Would I need to cut into the CP if I went with a totally different joystick? Contemplating getting rid of the 4 way controller for a Tron style one and/or getting 8/4 way twist joy at player 1 or 2.

[TopJimmyCooks]

The wiring in general doesn't look that bad. Cat 5 wire straight to crimp connectors is a little unreliable (crimp connectors are designed to attach to a bigger wire).  Also, that cable looks like it was of the type built into buildings so it's probably solid conductor wires.  Again, a little less reliable.  The parallel grounding isn't a problem on its own. 

On the joysticks, look around for types that install the same way as you already have (bottom mount, looks like) and you will have less woodwork to worry about.

I would rewire it just for fun, with cat 5 stranded patch cords. 

[eds1275]

That dog is unimpressed. The wiring looks ok, but I would do it again nicer and neater, with stranded wire. Not that there is anything wrong with solid wire, it just doesn't take handling as much as stranded. If you just set it and forget it it's fine.

[Nephasth]

Not a fan of CAT5, so if I were to rewire it, I would do it in 22 or 24 AWG stranded wire (much better IMO). If need be I would use wire loom to clean up the look.

[BobA]

Since you make a living with wiring remake the panel so you are happy with it.    Definitely stay away from using cat 5 and crimp on connectors.  A larger stranded wire is much easier to crimp and will last a long time.  Daisy chaining the grounds makes for a lot less wire in your panel.

[jimfath]

Cool. Thank you guys. This is great advice and you've convinced me to add rewiring to my list of revisions to this cab. I'm all in agreement with the stranded versus solid and it does look like building grade Cat5.

Is there a recommended place on line to buy spools 22 gauge wire and quick connects? In my brief search most online places sell large spools. I was going to make use of different colors for different players. And black and white for LED and IPAC grounding. otherwise I'll head to Radio Shack. Oh wait. I'm sorry, I meant... "the Shack" (branding)

That dog is unimpressed. The wiring looks ok, but I would do it again nicer and neater, with stranded wire. Not that there is anything wrong with solid wire, it just doesn't take handling as much as stranded. If you just set it and forget it it's fine.

EDIT: and yes. Gretl is typically unimpressed with all things that are not food or tennis balls.

[MonMotha]

Newark usually has some specials on hook up wire and sells 100 foot spools which are a good size for a project like this.  You can of course usually do better from surplus/discounter outlet type places, and always check ebay (which is where I got most of my stock), but you'll tend to find lots of weird striping patterns and such - not much in the way of primary colors.

22 stranded is indeed about the smallest that will reliably hold onto a "red" crimp quick connect.  No need for discrete grounds; just daisy chain 'em, perhaps with one chain per player to keep things tidy and modular. That's generally what commercially built machines do, often along with a connector for each player's wiring to make service easier.  You can use zip ties or similar to bundle up your wires and keep things neat.

If you must use smaller wire, fold it back over itself once or twice then crimp onto that.  It gives the terminal more to "bite" onto.  It'll still be a bit flimsy from a handling point of view, but the terminal might at least stay on.  I'd still avoid solid wire for this application entirely.  It doesn't crimp well, and it tends to break when flexed during service or when moving the machine.

[DaOld Man]

I agree with all the above comments.
Dont use too small wire, you are asking for trouble later on.
But using too large wire will be over kill and can result in an ugly wiring job.
If you do use the small stuff (ethernet cable) solid or stranded, I would crimp it to the quick connect (crimp on) terminal then solder it.
On all my builds I just soldered the wire to the micro switch terminal, (no quick connects) and left about an inch of slack in the wire so I can cut it off later and re solder it to a new switch.
I have had to change out only two switches on a total of 4 cabinets in the last 5 years.
But it is entirely up to you.

[LeedsFan]

Not a fan of CAT5....

That's why the dog is unimpressed.  CAT5... cats... geddit?   OK... I'll get my coat......   

[jimfath]

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[leapinlew]

Well? Where is the updated pic of the rewire. It's been 9 years. You done yet?

[pbj]

The expression on that dog’s face.   

[Howard_Casto]

That dog is my new spirit animal.