Re MAME cabinet fires and unrelated mini keyboards...

[pmc]

One thing that's been worrying me is that I have the guts of a PC speaker system flush mounted inside my cabinet with the volume pot extended outside so I can control it with a knob. Works great, but I leave the cabinet running 24x7 (the hard drive is also an FTP server) and I worry about that flush-mounted amp board from the PC speakers generating heat or a spark or something and burning my house down. A realistic conern? The board is powered by one of those wall worts with a standard DC connection. So part of me says "don't sweat it", but the other part of me sees solder directly touching the MDF inside the cabinet.

Should I forget it? Or should I shim the board with some sort of non-flamable material? Repositioning is not so easy given that the placement is aligned with a hole for the volume to protrude through. I used the PCB mounting holes and just drove wood-screws right into the cabinet interior.

Other topic: Mini keyboards seem (relatively) expensive I can't seem to find anything for under $25 shipped. I'm looking for something with a PS/2 interface, no more than 14.5" long, and under 1.5" tall. Built-in mouse a plus. I figured I'd find a used portable laptop keyboard for near nothing, but everything seems to be super-duper modern wireless illuminated keyboards. Another source beyond eBay? Is wireless worth it? RF versus IR?

- Patrick (who for some reason now seems to play more ePSXe on his cab than PacMan and Guantlet!)

[slicer_d]

In refernece to the keyboards you can get wireless for dirt cheap I'm talking sub 20 bucks for mouse and keyboard if you look there was just one this week for 15 and they go for 30 all the time.   Also I have gotten a mini keyboard for free after 10 dollar rebate you just need to check out the adds.  If you dont get the sunday paper either go pick one up or ask the neighbors if you could just borrow the adds.

Also if you go wireless must get RF dont even think IR which I dont even think they make anymore but just in case.

[pmc]

In refernece to the keyboards you can get wireless for dirt cheap I'm

[...]

Also if you go wireless must get RF dont even think IR which I dont even think they make anymore but just in case.

Thanks for the response. I figured IR would be a waste of time due to the whole line-of-site business. Mini is more important than wireless to me (it's gotta fit a narrow cabinet shelf without encroaching on mouse-pad space). I bought a trackball, but it was too tall. I've only got like 2" of clearance so height is important. I was going to buy a laptop mouse (tiny) and a mini keyboard.

Seems like wireless is now cheaper than mini size.... probably due to manufacturing volume and demand.

[Sam66]

I built a cocktail and the plug in speaker psu was causing screen wobble due to it being so close to the monitor and very cheaply made.

I wired the speakers straight in to a power lead from the PC psu - it could be an option with yours.  I wouldn't worry about the actual amp board causing any problems - unless the speakers are very hefty, they won't draw much power.  And MDF doesn't burn all that easily anyway : )

[pmc]

I wouldn't worry about the actual amp board causing any problems - unless the speakers are very hefty, they won't draw much power.  And MDF doesn't burn all that easily anyway : )

That's what I needed to hear. As opposed to "What? Your house burned down? Why? You idiot! You should know you can't flush mount a powered board to MDF! That's a fire hazard!".  

Gotta figure it's in a plastic case for some reason! Even the IPAC has stand-offs and I don't have it plugged right into a power strip.

Anyway... the reason I haven't changed it is because I'm figuring that 9V DC (or whatever it takes) isn't going to cause a fire any more than a loose alkaline in a kitchen drawer. But I like to hear from the experts out there for peice of mind.....

[1UP]

Is this mini (and cheap) enough for ya?

http://shop1.outpost.com/product/3574394

I have one myself.  It's a bit narrower than a laptop keyboard.  Nice and compact, fits easily thru a coin door.  I can actually fit it next to my trackball when doing maintenance.  They also have a more expensive ($19) version with a built in USB hub if you need it...

[slicer_d]

Thats a tiny keyboard but if you are still considering wireless I think I'm going to pick this one up within the month.

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=23-141-101&catalog=63&depa=1

Its 25 shipped and I would venture to guess the other keyboard would be about 20 shipped unless they have them in stock at your local frys.  Even then its only 10 bucks extra for wirless and mouse.

[Spaced Invader]

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=23-141-101&catalog=63&depa=1  

You forgot the hyperlink tags.

[JustMichael]

Using an RF wireless keyboard and mouse with the cab is the best way to go (IMHO).  You don't even need a keyboard drawer then.  Besides it can be quite entertaining when you "help" your friends play...  

[pmc]

Is this mini (and cheap) enough for ya?

http://shop1.outpost.com/product/3574394

I have one myself.  It's a bit narrower than a laptop keyboard.  Nice and compact, fits easily thru a coin door.  I can actually fit it next to my trackball when doing maintenance.  They also have a more expensive ($19) version with a built in USB hub if you need it...

Sounds perfect for me! $15! I love this forum! I'll order one post-haste.

It's about 12" wide which is perfect. The other post about the wireless one (which I'd love to do) is a full size keyboard so that gets me back into my original problem which is a cramped (pre-existing) keyboard drawer. I need the extra space on the end for a mini-mouse or mini-trackpad.

1UP, one question: It's too small to see in the Outpost.com picture -- does it have the up/down/left/right arrows in the traditional inverted-T configuration? I hate it when they put them all in a single row to save space. That's the one thing that drives me nuts with tiny keyboards. Apple used to do it with their smaller ADB keyboards and you could consequently never use them to play games or fly blindly -- like when your hand is in a drawer on a cabinet!  

[depressd]

Pmc, You can always use hot glue as an insulator. I use this stuff quite a bit for electronics. Easy to get in to tight areas and dries non conductive. And it is easily removed if need be.

[pmc]

Pmc, You can always use hot glue as an insulator. I use this stuff quite a bit for electronics. Easy to get in to tight areas and dries non conductive. And it is easily removed if need be.

Great idea. And it can help stablize the board too (it kinda rocks a little between two mounting screws. I think I'll do that. Thanks.

[Chris]

I use nylon spacers from the specialty drawers at Home Depot.  A couple of nylon washers or nuts will probably get you just enough clearance and airflow without getting you out of alignment from your hole.

--Chris