Control Panel Shorts out? how do i fix?

[Demon-Seed]

Hi
I made my CP and it works great only thing is I have the CP top sitting ontop of a box that is the same size as the top. When I test the cp top all of the controls work fine. Once I lay it down onto the wood box it sits on the player one right direction does not work. As soon as i lift the top off the box say 1 inch it works again. there is very little room from the microswitch and the side of the box. Is it possible the connector rubs and shorts it out? I am not sure how to fix it as I DO NOT want to make a new box or top. I tred moving the wires and electircal tape but as soon as I place it ontop of the box the one key stops.. any susggestions on how to fix? Please this is so frustrating

[pmc]

It sounds more like a loose connection than a short.

[Demon-Seed]

Ok I will try it and see... only two connectors it can be right. Just seems weird when i drop the top in place it stops.

JIm

[ani]

Yea, if it was shorting out wouldn't the key allways be pressed, because the circuit would be closed. It's gotta be a loose connection.

[menace]

I had really tight tolerances on mine and when the Cp was put down the disconnect would occasionally get pulled off the terminal--I just routed out a small path for the offending disconnect and all works fine.

[Demon-Seed]

Hey guys
I tried to re do the connector. Still dont work as soon as I put it down. Next step cut a hole?

JIM

[Inaba]

I'm having trouble envisioning what you have, exactly...

Maybe you could post some pictures?

[Demon-Seed]

Well I have checked every connector they are fine. I shaved down the side of the panel still does it. I have re wired the buttons etc... I found something out. When I push the top up  right against the top of the cab like just below the monitor it does not work. I pull it down less than 1/4 inch it works, no matter where I position it right or left... would it be something at the top causing aproblem? its not a huge deal just means there is a slight gap between the tip of the cp and the area below the screen

JIm

[hyiu]

ok..... let's try to eliminate what's wrong...

when the CP top is by itself, everythign works fine...

when CP is placed on the box (where it should be...) then player 1 RIGHT direction doesn't work... everything else still works fine.. right ??

ok... you have concluded that there's is no pblm with the wires... (so... when the CP is placed against the box.. the wires didn't come loose... )

now.... player 1 is on the left side... and right direction is the left most switch....

when you put the CP on the box.... and when you click the directions... do you still feel the click on the microswitch ??

I'm asking this because it might be that the wires are all good, but when the CP is tightly fitted... somehow.. the stick is blocked from going all the way left (the bottom of the stick... I mean)... and not able to click on the microswitch ??...

(if you're using 360 stick or something special... then its different story...)

as others have said.... a few pics would help us spot what's wrong....

photo the top of the cp, the bottom of the cp, and the box, and the cp on the box (when it doesn't work...) and lift it up a little and take a pic on the gap... and so on...

good luck...

[Stingray]

it might be that the wires are all good, but when the CP is tightly fitted... somehow.. the stick is blocked from going all the way left (the bottom of the stick... I mean)... and not able to click on the microswitch ??...

This was my first thought. It sounds like something is preventing the stick from contacting the switch when the panel is in place. Can you reach inside when the panel is in place (through the coin door perhaps) and see if something is obstructing the movement of the stick?

-S

[hyiu]

yes stringray.... I am thinking that too...

that's why I ask if he can "feel" the "click"....

cos if its a Comp or Super... I'm sure he can feel the click...
so.. if he can't... then something is blocking the movement... could be a L-bracket... or a screw head... or somehow the wood not level... or something....

so.. it moves left... but not left enough to click the microswitch....

[Demon-Seed]

Hey
Ok I will try to get some pic, but I work nites tonite and tommarrow so it may not be until friday. when I do click the right joy i believe the switch is still striking so hard to tell.. its a happs super joy. 8 way.

thanks
jim

[Demon-Seed]

Here is a few picks....FYI the control panel top is the exact same size as the box below FYI I didnt get a clear overview picture of it.

JIM

[Demon-Seed]

more pix

[Demon-Seed]

more.

[Demon-Seed]

more.

[Demon-Seed]

Heres a pick with the part I cut thought wires were rubbing.

[Demon-Seed]

another.

[Demon-Seed]

heres the box the top sits on.

[Demon-Seed]

Ok here is the last pic. I apologize for so many but I hope you guys can visualize what I am talking about. I hope you can help resolve this. I appreciate all your help.

While I have the pictures here, maybe you could help me out with a couple other questions.

How should I fasten the top to the box? I tried velcro but after ripping it up a few times it coms off.. (thus the marks on the box edging). I would like to  be able to access the panel easily to fix things, and to be able to swape to um consoles.

Tmolding- How much tmodling would I need for the CP edging??? How would one cut it? I am very, very nervous about cutting it....

Thanks so much in advance!!

Jim

[rsoandrew]

Try swapping two of the micro switches. ie move the left to up and vis versa but leave the same wiring.

If the problem moves you know that it's the switch or the wiring. There could be a break in the wire only allowing intermittent contact depending on position or even something as unusual as a small piece of something inside the switch preventing contact depending on the angle (I learned that lesson the hard way with a bad spark plug insulator that would move when I went uphill but ran fine on level ground  )

[hyiu]

similar to rsoandrew ...

from the pics... it seems like the box is deep enough...
and with the edge already routed... it should not block the stick movement...

I think its a good idea to switch that particular microswitch out... and also change those 2 wires.... and retry...

and for stick it on....

I would say.... use panel clamps... and open a hole from the bottom so that you can reach in to unlatch....