iPac/KeyWiz location

[Ceifeirot]

Hello,

I've got all my buttons and etc. installed and just bought all the crimp-on quick disconnect things and 75' of wire with a crimper too from Radioshack. Where should I place my KeyWiz? Mount it onto the control panel? Or inside the cabinet (and if so, where is a good place)? How long should I make each wire?

I have a moon patrol cabinet/control panel (with new holes) so it wraps around (C-shaped) and I could probably fit the keywiz on the opposite side -- is there any reason not to do this?

Does anyone have hires images of their (organized) control panel innards? I've found a bunch but most of them are pretty lores.

Thanks!
Alex

[SirPeale]

I'm in the same situation, but know where I'm mouning my KeyWiz: right smack in the center of the CP.  I suppose I/you could do it on the other side.  It really doesn't matter, as long as you're not putting stresses on the wires.

Are you going to post your cabinet soon?  I like seeing other people's Moon Patrol cabs.

[Tiger-Heli]

I've got all my buttons and etc. installed and just bought all the crimp-on quick disconnect things and 75' of wire with a crimper too from Radioshack. Where should I place my KeyWiz? Mount it onto the control panel? Or inside the cabinet (and if so, where is a good place)?

It really doesn't matter.  If you are sure you won't want swappable panels, mount it on the back of the CP, close to the buttons and joysticks.

How long should I make each wire?

I would cut each wire to length.  Extra length won't hurt anything, but too short is bad.  For the grounds, I would loop the wire segments from one switch to the next, so you have one stretch of wiring rather than 20 separate ground wires.

I have a moon patrol cabinet/control panel (with new holes) so it wraps around (C-shaped) and I could probably fit the keywiz on the opposite side -- is there any reason not to do this?

Not really, that would work.

[paigeoliver]

Lately I have switched what I used to do.

I USED to mount them on the panel and wire directly to them.

Now I mount them off the panel and put one or two (as required) molex connectors between the panel and the encoder. This allows for easy swappable panels in the future, easier repairs, etc, etc, etc.

One downside is that it takes an extra hour, and adds $5-8 to the cost.

[rchadd]

70' of wire? that seems a long way

does it really need that much to wire up a control panel.

i am just about to order some wire for a cocktal cab i am planning and i'm currently not sure how much to get. so any advice is welcome.

also what type/gauge wire is recommended?

what size connectors are required? (i am getting ipac, joysticks and buttons from ultimarc). would .25 be ok?

cheers

- richard

[Tiger-Heli]

70' of wire? that seems a long way
does it really need that much to wire up a control panel.
i am just about to order some wire for a cocktal cab i am planning and i'm currently not sure how much to get. so any advice is welcome.

Probably not, but figure 1-2 feet per switch, 28 switches, 2 wires each, less for ground loops - 50 feet is probably sufficient, but more is better than less.

also what type/gauge wire is recommended?

Most people like 22-gauge stranded.  Thinner will do the job, but harder to crimp to.  Thicker is more expensive and won't gain you anything.

what size connectors are required? (i am getting ipac, joysticks and buttons from ultimarc). would .25 be ok?

Happ stuff usually needs 0.187 (3/8").  I think some ultimarc joysticks need 0.25.  You can use 0.25 on 0.187 tabs, but it's not ideal.