Any tips on building a JAMMA cabinet?

[txcanoeman]

I built 6 MAME cabinets with PCs between 99 and 2006 but they have all been sold or given away.  I want to build a few more cabinets for my kids who are starting out with their own home game rooms but instead of MAME, I'd like to use something like the iCade 60 in 1.  I'd rather not use a PC like I did before since the kids live in different states and I want the most reliable option for them.  Has anyone done this and if so can you point me to some resources for what parts are needed?  Or if this is covered in Saint's new book, I can buy that.  I searched the forum but holy cow has it exploded in the past 10+ years! 

Thanks for your help.
Bill

[DudeRegular]

Well the cabinet itself would probably not be much different. Build based on the controls and monitor you are planning to go after. Then just wire with a jamma harness and switching PSU instead of encoder and pc setup. Unless I am missing something?

[txcanoeman]

I should be good on the cabinet.  it will have two joysticks, some buttons and a trackball.  What I'm curious about is the hardware needed inside.  what kind of power source, what do i connect the controls and speakers to and what do i pull the jamma board into.  I've found the PC to jamma adapter but if I don't use a PC then I need some other kind of board. 

[Peabo]

You just need a Jamma harness and a switching power supply, the x-n-1 boards plug into the Jamma connector on the harness.  Video would plug into the x-n-1 board or the harness depending on what display type you choose.

[srarcade]

Few other fun tidbits to consider:

AC Line filter
AC fuse block
Power switch capable of 2-3A
Field Ground Post (ground everything metal here)
(you can find all 4 of those in one, mounted on a plate ready to go in scrap parts i bet)
Isolation transformer (if using CRT)
Coin Counter(s) (not necessary but if going for authentic)
Service panel - test button/switch, service credit button, remote volume knob (if desired to hack off multi board), possible location for degauss switch for CRT if available.

[CheffoJeffo]

Feeling rather disappointed that nobody has mentioned Bob Roberts' articles. 

I Want to Build a Game!

How To Wire In A JAMMA Harness

AC Wiring

Coin Counters

Seriously, if you are in this hobby and haven't read Bob's articles -- it's time to reevaluate your life choices.

http://homearcade.org/BBBB/

[CheffoJeffo]

Service panel - test button/switch, service credit button, remote volume knob (if desired to hack off multi board), possible location for degauss switch for CRT if available.

Yes, yes, yes! I haven't seen this mentioned in too many places, but I would not put a multiboard in a cabinet without an easily-accessible (inside coin door) service panel. I will add one to an existing cab, if only to have easy access to test/service (although remote volume is a nice touch as well).

For a game that is going to a remote location, don't use CRTs. It's a hassle for normal people.

[paigeoliver]

I should be good on the cabinet.  it will have two joysticks, some buttons and a trackball.  What I'm curious about is the hardware needed inside.  what kind of power source, what do i connect the controls and speakers to and what do i pull the jamma board into.  I've found the PC to jamma adapter but if I don't use a PC then I need some other kind of board.

One generally does not install both joysticks and a trackball on a jamma cabinet. The trackball games are not completely consistent with their wiring from one title to the next and a lot of them are vertical or expect to have two trackballs.