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Swappable bartop control panel, is it plausible?
heyyouguys:
I am building a bartop and have been debating whether to set it up for 1 or 2 players. I have been reading the pros and cons to both in a few threads. This got me to thinking about rotating controls and thought like it should be possible to build a bartop with swappable controls. I would like it to be one unit and not be a separate panel that sits in front. I have passed on the fascination and love of coin ops to my daughter and this is a project that we are looking to do together. This is mainly the reason for two player controls that are needed once in a while.
Also not sure of what type of connector that could be used dor this that allows multiple disconnect and reconnecting. Granted I have not searched for this part yet (but ideas would be greatly appreciated).
Currently have a Dell 19 (19.5 can't remember off top of my head) monitor to use in this.
Also wanting to do he following (more for reference into what I am thinking).
On 1 player panel would like the standard joystick and buttons along with a track ball and a spin wheel. 2 player to have 2 joysticks and just buttons.
I also thought about using design where there is a keyboard drawer below the control panel and instead of using a keyboard, have it store two light guns.
Has anyone thought about doing this of have any ideas how to tackle a swappable control panel in a bartop? Any suggestions or advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance
DaveMMR:
Totally possible. I think there are some people who've done that. I was going that route myself for those five minutes I was building a bartop; just use any sort of quick disconnect (Molex, IDE Cables, Cat5, whatever works based on your needs) and a latching system. Just need to find a place to store them, but they're small.
Though I would ditch any keyboard drawers. It's already going to be on a tabletop of some sort, just put the keyboard in front of it for those one or two times you're in need of it.
leapinlew:
Sure, it's possible but I think it would be more plausible to build another bartop. This is my standard response. I have 4 arcade machines which have all the different monitor configurations and controls I want.
If you are using a PC, you could add on a control panel that uses a different USB encoder and she could play on that.
heyyouguys:
@DaveMMr, thanks for the info and I was not planning on using keyboard only the drawer design to store the light guns. But as you said about the keyboard, same applies to the light guns. Just as easy to plug them in only when needed for those one or two times.
@leapinlew, I agree that separate bartops would be better. Unfortunately space is the issue, so multiple ones are out of the question (that is why I am not building a full size mame cabinet and wife does not want that in the living room). So this is why I was thinking of a removable control panel that can be swapped out easily and new plugged in and ready to go. I have access to a cabinetry shop at work along with a full machine shop, so if I have to make a few parts, its not a problem.
I am drawing out plans now and would rather solve any issues with connections and controls prior to building.
If anyone has pics of this or can point in right direction, I would appreciate it.
PL1:
You may want to look at the TaxiCab bartop here.
Scott