Converting x-arcade help

[seantk421]

Hi everyone,

I recently got an x-arcade original model that was missing the proprietary serial to ps/2 cable.  Instead of paying $15 for a new cable I was thinking about upgrading the whole thing to USB with a new interface card.  My question is would it be possible to replace the existing xarcade card with an ipac2 without having to change out all of the joysticks and buttons?

Thanks!

[BobA]

The buttons and joysticks are their own make but will work fine with an ipac.  You will have to change your wiring as the xarcade board has a separate ground on each group of 4 buttons.  The ipac uses a daisy chained or common ground.  See attached pdf for button connections.

[ark_ader]

Yes you could, but it would be cheaper to buy a new X Arcade encoder board that supports USB.

That said I have the PS/2 Keyboard version, which I use a USB keyboard via a purple adapter.  Some keyboards work and some do not with it, and the same goes for the USB to keyboard connector.

It is trial and error, and I made my own keyboard to X Arcade cable too.

[boardjunkie]

Bah....just buy a couple cheap USB gamepads and use those to wire the buttons/sticks into. Its pretty easy.

[Grimoz]

Just buy a Xin Mo usb interface like I did for about $30, mine works great.

[seantk421]

Thanks for the info guys.  How difficult was it to make the keyboard to x-arcade cable? 

[seantk421]

I took a look at the xin-mo board on Groovy Game Gear also, it looks pretty good.  How difficult was it to install and program on your x-arcade board?

[Grimoz]

The xin mo was about as simple as it gets, all the wires come with quick connects so you just connect everything up to your microswitches and away you go. The PC recognizes it as a USB controller so it is easy to test it out.

[BobA]

Thanks for the info guys.  How difficult was it to make the keyboard to x-arcade cable? 

Xarcade DB9 to PS2 cable

[seantk421]

Thanks for the info.  I found that previous post with the pin layout and tried soldering one together today.  It didn't quite work out though, probably due to my terrible soldering skills.    I'll give it another try though before I purchase another encoder.

[TPB]

Just buy a Xin Mo usb interface like I did for about $30, mine works great.

PBJ found a cheap USB encoder on Ebay.  It's only $15, and that includes a bundle of wires, and free shipping to the US.

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=114233.0

http://www.ebay.com/itm/180706103709?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

I found that previous post with the pin layout and tried soldering one together today.  It didn't quite work out though, probably due to my terrible soldering skills. 

seantk, you'll be pleased to learn the above encoder, is promoted by its Chinese sellers as having the following benefit ...

Don't welding

[TPB]

Just to add,

PBJ and Vigo are both very impressed with the $15 USB encoder boards.  Vigo's so impressed that he's purchased 35 of them, and is selling them for $14.75 which includes free US domestic shipping.

So buy one through Vigo, you'll be supporting a member of the BYOAC community.  You'll also save yourself a quarter to use with your coin box !


Here's a picture of Vigo's stock, and the encoder board's instruction manual (both are obtained from the thread I've linked to above) :