2018 Shopping List - DIY Control Panel

[LocknLoad]

Hello All,

So I have spent a significant amount of time reading up and ready to start a DIY build.
I already have a Retropie 200GB image working unit but will be moving to a Haswell i5 NUC for the cabinet build (have it and not using it for anything else)

My goal is to have a MAME front end but have the ability to use the control panel on my old Xbox360.
Looking for a solid and easy way to move between 4/8 way. There are also few games I recall playing that required rotary ability on the joystick.

Would appreciate any suggestions or comments on the following.

2x Ultrastik 360 Ball Top
2x Ultrastik 360 Rotary Upgrade
2x Ultrastik Hard Springs
2x Ultrastik Front mount restrictor kit (to adjust throw and/or better 4/8way control)
18x Happ Comp Buttons (Multi-color)
6x Ultralux Translucent LED
1x Ultralux Logo Insert (Coin1+2/Start1+2/Pause/Exit)
1x Wire kit
1x Ipac 2 board (Do I maybe need two?)
1x PACLink Adaptor (For Xbox 360)
1x U-Trak Flushmount

Going for a hybrid child of xArcade Tankstick and Xtension 2 player type layout.

Thanks for any feedback.

[rhoelsch]

Does your wire kit come with connectors? Is it one of those pre-daisy chained ones? I'm assuming you know how you're going to make your holes.

[LocknLoad]

Hi,

I have a Dewalt plunge router along with some forstner bits.
I have build some speaker and sub-woofers recently so wood working it not the major challenge.
I plan on building the cabinet in plywood as opposed to MDF. The weight and dust with MDF is a real pain.

Trying to ensure my understanding of the technology and hardware matches my desired outcome.

I was thinking one or two of these should suffice - https://www.arcaderenovations.com/2-player-arcade-wiring-kit-for-ipac-mame.html

Any comments on the use of the Ultrastik 360?

[Mike A]

I have a Dewalt plunge router along with some forstner bits.

I hope you don't plan on using the forstner bits with the plunge router. The wording of that sentence worries me.

[rhoelsch]

Looks like the ipac2 will give you a joy, 10 buttons, plus a Start and a Coin for each player, so you'll be fine. Make sure you have a decent crimper for those quick connects.

[LocknLoad]

I have a Dewalt plunge router along with some forstner bits.

I hope you don't plan on using the forstner bits with the plunge router. The wording of that sentence worries me.

What can possibly go wrong....

Bosch GSB Drill or Makita cordless with forstner. I use them when using recessing dowels as bracing in speakers.

[Mike A]

I figured as much, but you mentioned the router and forstner bits, but no drill.

There are people who have posted here that have tried some crazy things.

[LocknLoad]

Looks like the ipac2 will give you a joy, 10 buttons, plus a Start and a Coin for each player, so you'll be fine. Make sure you have a decent crimper for those quick connects.

Reading here - https://www.ultimarc.com/ipac2.html

My take away is the following...

Single iPac2 supports:

Two joysticks
8 action buttons for each player
Coin 1 and 2
Start 1 and 2
4 Admin buttons

Under the section - Using the Expansion/Trackball/Spinner interface on I-PAC 2
The operational mode is software controlled

Looking at the installation diagram here - https://www.ultimarc.com/console.html
You can connect two X360 adapters to a single iPac2

Further referencing the diagram here - https://www.ultimarc.com/ipac1.html
I am unclear if the xbox360 adapters only consume the spinner pins, allowing me to still connect up the trackball or are those pins for something else.

Has anyone maybe connected up both xbox360 adapters and trackball to the same set of pins on a single ipac2 and used a script/software switch to enable/disable the mode?

My last resort is to get two iPAC2
- Connect one to PC in disabled mode
- Connect one to Xbox in enabled mode
- Connect action buttons and joysticks to both

Am I missing something?

[AndyWarne]

On the I-PAC 2, the spinner uses the same pins as one of the Paclink adaptors.

It would be possible to enable/disable this adaptor using WinIPAC in command line mode but you would also need to physically switch the wiring over. So this is not really practical.

The Xbox360 connectivity does not support trackball/spinner.

Using two boards would work, you could connect the controls to both.

[Jakobud]

For drilling your button holes you need a drill + 1 1/8" Spade Bit.

[pbj]

Nevermind