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| paigeoliver:
Having built a ridiculous number of projects I have found that modular controls are more trouble than they are worth. It entails a crazy amount of extra wiring which can and will break constantly. The extra controls are difficult to store easily in a matter where they are not subject to easy damage. A double decker, multi-sided cocktail, multiple cabinets or even a rotating setup are all far more practical to do and can be done at around the same price point as well. Even if you ultimately still do decide to go with modular controls I strongly suggest you start out your project with a single control panel and then go back and do the modular thing later. The single control panel basic cabinet is really only about a 4 out of 10 difficulty level, but a functional modular control panel system that works, isn't rickety and doesn't break all the time is far closer to a 10. |
| happyfunball:
I suppose I should clarify that I mean swappable. pull one off, replace it. I was going to make a couple cabs with the same size so they can just swap between them. horizontal and vertical. |
| shponglefan:
Simplest solution there might be doing swappable panel tops. I've been experimenting with a system using roller catches. The idea would be have all the controls and interfaces fixed to the panel top; only USB cords dangling off for connection to a USB hub in the base. Roller catches allow for relatively easy removal and attachment. There are other attachment options as well. I've been trying this with a single player prototype and seems to work pretty well. I've yet to try with a 2 player panel, though. |
| happyfunball:
--- Quote from: shponglefan on May 20, 2013, 10:49:27 pm ---Simplest solution there might be doing swappable panel tops. I've been experimenting with a system using roller catches. The idea would be have all the controls and interfaces fixed to the panel top; only USB cords dangling off for connection to a USB hub in the base. Roller catches allow for relatively easy removal and attachment. There are other attachment options as well. I've been trying this with a single player prototype and seems to work pretty well. I've yet to try with a 2 player panel, though. --- End quote --- thats pretty much what I was thinking, except I was going to have an electric latch rather than something like a spring loaded cupboard latch or roller catches. that might work just as well and be less complicated. my concern was the panel getting pulled off if someone gets too agressive. |
| Gatt:
--- Quote from: paigeoliver on May 20, 2013, 01:53:37 pm ---Having built a ridiculous number of projects I have found that modular controls are more trouble than they are worth. It entails a crazy amount of extra wiring which can and will break constantly. The extra controls are difficult to store easily in a matter where they are not subject to easy damage. A double decker, multi-sided cocktail, multiple cabinets or even a rotating setup are all far more practical to do and can be done at around the same price point as well. Even if you ultimately still do decide to go with modular controls I strongly suggest you start out your project with a single control panel and then go back and do the modular thing later. The single control panel basic cabinet is really only about a 4 out of 10 difficulty level, but a functional modular control panel system that works, isn't rickety and doesn't break all the time is far closer to a 10. --- End quote --- I disagree. I've built the modular controls, and I'd never go back to anything else. There is a 2x increase in wiring, since you now have independent sets of wires on both sides, but in the 2 years I've had with my modular controls I haven't had any wiring issue I could fix in seconds, and those have occurred almost never. The controls do take up space, but far less than swappable panels. I have a bookshelf that I have everything resting on. Using Ethernet cables like Doc did, it's really easy to do. Cut the cables in half, strip the wires, and use Doc's system for matching color to control. The only major hurdle is that Doc's explanation left out some bits and pieces I had to plan out in advance. Such as: I wanted the ability to have dual-8 way joysticks with one of them being a top-fire for Player 1 and 2 for Tank games, so I had to add a wire to Joystick 2 that maps to Player 1 Button 1, and one for Joystick 4 that maps to Player 2 Button 2, which created one extra wire on each of those Ethernet ports that Doc's system didn't have. Then I had to hash out a flightstick with 3 buttons for Player 1 as well, all of it worked out fine though, my Joystick 1 port also has wires for P1B1, P1B2, and P1B3. In that, it does require some extra planning. For the extra work though, I always have the right controls for the game at all times without comprimises. |
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