Advice needed on pushbuttons for SNES-based arcade cab

[Turnarcades]

As some may have read in an earlier post or seen in our facebook links, we're planning a series of console-based machines to show it's not all about emulation. The first of these is a SNES-based machine as it's my personal favourite and we've already picked up an excellent new Brazillian SNES, which for those who don't know is nigh-on 100% compatible with all regions, thanks to it not being SNES-on-a-chip rubbish and having a factory-added 50/60Hz switch. I've uploaded an overview video of the system here:



...if anyone wants to see and hear a bit more about it.

The machine we intend to make will have this fitted into the control panel so the cartridges can easily be inserted, so we want to mount suitable arcade-style pushbuttons on the top too for the 3 switches we need. I'm fine with hacking PC's but consoles are new territory for me so I need to be sure I'm getting the right ones. I think a push-on, push-off button can be hacked to the power button, obviously a standard momentary push-on button for the reset button and a push on/on button will work for the 50/60Hz switch - is this right? If it is, I'd like to have matching buttons for all three, all illuminated in some way and ideally the 50/60Hz switch would change colour in each position to indicate PAL/NTSC.

Bearing in mind we're in England, can anyone recommend the right switches, and where to get them? I'm not fussed if the buttons are a bit smaller, so long as they are round pushbuttons similar to normal arcade buttons. Also if you know, how could I power the LEDs straight from the console?

[404]

Very interesting project.


You're best bet is to simply find yourself a suitable self-locking push switch and possibly use that in some form. Simply search google for "self locking push switch"

EDIT: I don't live in the UK but it seems lots of fellow modders across the pond tend to get things from maplin. Found two suitable buttons that seem suitable.

http://www.maplin.co.uk/round-locking-push-switch-34488
http://www.maplin.co.uk/illuminated-locking-push-switch-34859

Also, I've seen a simillar project. Spanish modder Vidhar posted his zelda themed snes mini arcade at elotrolado.net Might be a good point of reference for you.
http://www.elotrolado.net/hilo_mini-super-nintendo-cabinet-por-fin-terminada-video-proximamente_1611271

[Turnarcades]

Thanks for the reply but unfortunately none of that really helps - even translated, I find that spanish build contains virtually no info on the wiring involved for power switches etc. I'm pretty sure the button/switch types I'm thinking of using are correct for the switches they will be attached to, I really just need someone to confirm this and where I can order the type I'm after in very small quantities. Maplin is unfortunately all we have in the UK now but it's more commercial now, selling mainly overpriced 'packagable' components such as leads - when I go for electronics components they either don't supply what you need or it's always out of stock. Back in the day we had Tandy's for electronic hobbyists and that was great, but Maplin's isn't a patch on them.

The buttons you've pointed to are not the right look. I want something more like these:



but all I can find online are suppliers issuing in minimum quantities for industrial/commercial use (like 200 or more) or those that do supply ones like this individually are either way too expensive (cos they're coming from far abroad) or they don't supply all variations (usually only momentary versions or the momentary and push on/push off versions). If I can just get some very similar to each other in this kind of style it would be great, though I think the dual-colour one for the 50/60Hz switch would be very handy.

[FALSE]

I  cant help directly but have you looked at the benheck forums?
They're all about modding your consoles, mostly into portables so I bet they have way more console specific knowledge than this forum.
They might be able to help.
benheck.com

[Turnarcades]

That'll be my next port of call but I know from past visits there the technobabble goes overboard sometimes and there can be a tendency for some to over-complicate wiring jobs even when the intended outcome is only simple.
I think I may have sourced the right buttons via old faithful ebay.

Thinking about it, I don't think I need a double on/on switch for the region selector. If I use a push on/push off switch, as long as it has a tag for both NO and NC, surely I can use the common ground and have it so that NO is 60Hz (ie. when the button is pushed and locked in) and NC is 50Hz (ie. when the button is not pushed and locked in). It only has a single LED so colour changing is not an option, but surely I can at least connect it so the light only comes on when the button is pressed in?

So, with that in mind I think this is what I may need:

For the 50/60Hz selector, a latching SPDT button with each throw wired to 50/60Hz respectvely - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/290637879423?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649
For the power switch, a latching SPDT button with the NO connection wired to the 'on' setting - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/290637879423?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649, but with nothing attached to the NC side
For the reset button, a momentary (non-latching) SPDT or SPST button that hits reset when pressed and just springs back up: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/290637864940?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

Now I've found the right style, if someone could confirm these are the right types for what I need I can get them ordered in. Anyone?

[BobA]

Metal illuminated power buttons UK