Does what I want exist?

[Dechene]

Hey guys,

After hacking 3 different fixes on Mame machines trying to get a good system sorted for volume control, I need some help.

What I'm after is a dial, which when I spin (or more accurately, turn) to the right will hit a micro switch and when I let go it will centre itself again.
Then the same thing if I spin it to the left but it hits a different switch.

This way I can have the micro-switch outputs be read directly by mame as volume presses.

I've modified the connections to the volume pot on amps before, but no matter how carefully I do it or the quality of parts I use, there is always some interference or loss of volume that I'm not happy with.
I've also used 2 arcade buttons as UP and DOWN but that doesn't seem so 'elegant'.

I think a dial that looks like a round volume knob will be the best of both worlds for me...if it exists.

[Blanka]

Yes it does exist. A fancy one is in a Bandai FL Block Out. I think it is a 3 position rotary switch with spring. You also have them big, white and ugly: window screen control knobs.

[Blanka]

http://nl.rs-online.com/web/p/push-buttons/6205992/

[AndyWarne]

Using the I-PAC with latest firmware you can assign any button as volume up and volume down.

Andy

[Dechene]

Using the I-PAC with latest firmware you can assign any button as volume up and volume down.

Andy

Yep that's what I'd be doing. I'm actually starting to make a few cabs for friends and friends of friends, so I'm trying to simplify the operating.
A volume knob is easy for anyone to understand, whereas a shortcut key needs to be explained, and dedicated buttons take up room and don't look as nice (imo).

Yes it does exist. A fancy one is in a Bandai FL Block Out. I think it is a 3 position rotary switch with spring. You also have them big, white and ugly: window screen control knobs.

Hmm, googling this brings me sort of what i'm after, there aren't many switches that are just for 2 positions which I could attach a knob too easily though.
I think I may head down to the hardware store in the morning, I've got an idea in my head to create what I want from a few parts...if it works out, I'll post it here later on.

Cheers guys!

[matsadona]

Sounds like that you can copy the center mechanism from an arcade steering wheel... which basically just is a spring mechanism.
http://www.quarterarcade.com/img/vol1/10159_1_fs.jpg
And put on a lever/arm that hits the two switches at left and right end.

[chepin]

Using the I-PAC with latest firmware you can assign any button as volume up and volume down.

Andy

Andy, where can we get this firmware?

Thanks.

[Cynicaster]

I struggled with the design of volume control on my cab as well, until it occurred to me that I was probably overthinking a fairly insignificant detail.  So what I did was make my right speaker grille removable (mounted with magnets).  When I want to adjust volume, I simply remove the grille, adjust the volume control on the speakers directly (I used a 2.1 PC speaker system that has the volume control on the right speaker), then replace the grille.

I'm happy to report that my initial suspicion that cab volume would largely be a set-it-and-forget it thing has turned out to be true.  I've probably adjusted that dial fewer than 10 times in 7 months of very heavy use. 

[SavannahLion]

On-off-on momentary rocker switch?
Just an idea 

[wxforecaster]

Yeh, I would think a 3 position momentary rocker switch would work perfectly here. Many of them have enough profile on the actual button that you could affix the standard vol up/down icons to them via a decal or something very easily. I did some digging for a 3 position spring-loaded rotary rocker and haven't come across anything. Basically you want something that acts like a vehicle starter where you turn the key (which hits a switch) and then returns to some baseline position when you let go -- except you want this to occur both to the left and right of center.

[Jammin0]

Sounds like the movement of those old VCR dials that you held for fast forward and reverse.  Maybe you could hack a VCR dial.

[SavannahLion]

I did some digging for a 3 position spring-loaded rotary rocker and haven't come across anything.

Decent looking spinner-style momentary on-off-on switches are a ---smurfette--- to find. I've been looking. They're used in all sorts of applications, usually related to audio (of course). But I suspect due to their limited appeal outside of such a niche market, they're generally not very common for a reasonable price.

I did look at "pistol grip" controllers for RC cars. I believe they're called Return-to-center potentiometers. Drop in replacements run for as much as a brand new high-end transmitter (or more) but I spotted super cheap RC controllers like the FS-GT2 (runs for about $20-$35) that might have a usable knobs but I can't really tell if they're true analog pots or just those Wal*Mart special Full Left/Full Right steering. The hobby guys will know what I'm talking about. I intend to figure out which hobby shops are still open so I can see one in person (assuming they would carry it).

Rocker switches on the other hand seem to be a little more common and I've found them listed at digikey, mouser and they're likely at newark (Google them) as well. At Digikey, they're listed as mom-off-mom switches. Depending on the desired profile (amp rating can be ignored if they're simply going to be inputs for an iPac) you can grab a switch for around $1.13 for a single. I often find them in the grab bins at local swap meets (though even those have disappeared for me ) YMHML.

Sounds like the movement of those old VCR dials that you held for fast forward and reverse.  Maybe you could hack a VCR dial.

I've had several VCR's that had/has that feature and it's a real hit and miss. The knob may "feel" heavy, but go behind the scenes and it's just a rod (or some other similar setup) smacking against two micro switches... if you're lucky. The mechanics behind the knob is usually integrated into the case itself. Remove the assembly from the case and... well... you've got nothing worth using.

Your best bet is to find an older style VCR or more expensive model that supports pseudo-jog. But even then it's hit and miss (for me at least). I've come across everything from YPXT switches to pots to encoders of varying degrees of salvageability.

I don't do VCR repair but I do salvage parts from them on trash day and I'd say that unless you have oodles of VCR's to dig through, it's just not worth the time to actively look for a VCR that would work for you. Now that VCR head... that's a whole other matter.

Not saying you shouldn't look at VCR's as an option. I would. But if you don't have a source for VCR's, don't bother expending too much effort to find them. They're even getting scarce on trash day.

[Dechene]

Ok, now what I want, exists...  

It took all of about 15 minutes to put this together, and it works exactly as I originally wanted.
All it cost was 2 microswitches, I can live with that.  



If anyone is interested:

I have a 4mm mdf panel, 10cm x 10cm
A pine block, ~1cm by 1.5cm by 3cm
6cm bolt & 2 nuts
Volume Control knob (that knob is just one I had lying around)

Drill hole through pine, put the bolt through it and tighten it up with a nut.
Drill hole through 4mm panel, put bolt with the pine through it
Mark the edges of the pine on the panel, then mount the micro switches in the correct positions.
(When the switch is not being used the pine should just be touching each button.)



Mount panel on inside of cabinet, (the 4 screws in the corners)
Drill hole through cabinet, then push the bolt through.
On the front of the cabinet, tighten the bolt up so there is almost no play,
just enough that you can wiggle the screw slightly but not pull it back & forth.



Stick a knob on it, hook the buttins into i-pac or other controller and set them buttons up as volume controls.
Easy peasy and still looks pretty! (to me anyway  )

[boardjunkie]

I just used a dual 100k audio taper pot in series with the audio output from the board and mounted it inside the coin door. Don't get much easier than that....

http://www.flickr.com/photos/62937081@N00/6283088858/#

[nick3092]

I just put 2 led arcade buttons on my cab between the speakers and wired them up to the 2.1 Logitech speaker system. One red, one green. My guests have had no issues with figuring that out. Red turns volume down, green up. Although I'm probably the only one who knows that pressing them both turns them on/off.

As an added bonus, the speakers had a power led that also happened to be 5v, so it drives the leds on the buttons.

[boardjunkie]

I have all kinds of (on)-off-(on) (center off, momentary 3 pos) mini toggles. Maybe some full size 1/2" bushing types too. Good quality US made Cutler Hammer. 1.50$ each for the minis.

[SavannahLion]

I have all kinds of (on)-off-(on) (center off, momentary 3 pos) mini toggles. Maybe some full size 1/2" bushing types too. Good quality US made Cutler Hammer. 1.50$ each for the minis.

OK? 

[Dechene]

I have all kinds of (on)-off-(on) (center off, momentary 3 pos) mini toggles. Maybe some full size 1/2" bushing types too. Good quality US made Cutler Hammer. 1.50$ each for the minis.

lol, woulda been good info a few posts earlier!  

Have any pics of them?

[boardjunkie]

I have all kinds of (on)-off-(on) (center off, momentary 3 pos) mini toggles. Maybe some full size 1/2" bushing types too. Good quality US made Cutler Hammer. 1.50$ each for the minis.

OK? 

Just in case anyone wanted to use the mini toggle adjustment method. These are good quality US made switches that won't fall apart after a week. The ones you pay $1.19 for are import junk....

[boardjunkie]

I have all kinds of (on)-off-(on) (center off, momentary 3 pos) mini toggles. Maybe some full size 1/2" bushing types too. Good quality US made Cutler Hammer. 1.50$ each for the minis.

lol, woulda been good info a few posts earlier!  

Have any pics of them?

http://www.danssmallpartsandkits.net/DSC03570.JPG
Just like that one only a rounded handle instead of the flat type, and no cone type dress nut....just std hardware.