Best place to mount on/off switch (button) for cabinet?

[sofakng]

Yesterday I received my Smart Strip... It didn't work at all with the first power supply I used but I'm pretty sure that power supply is garbage and near dead...

I tried a different power supply and it worked *perfectly*.  The smart strip rocks.

I've also wired up a button (regular happ's microswitch button) to the motherboard so I can use that to turn on the PC.

Where should I mount this button?  At first I was thinking to mount it inside the control panel box then all I would need to do to turn on the arcade is open the control panel and push the button.

After thinking about this for a bit I'm not sure I want to keep opening/closing the box.  The top of the box is held down using velcro so opening/closing constantly might not be good for it.

My next choice is to mount the button on the back of the arcade, on the back bottom panel.  I figured I'd just drill a hole in this panel, but I also have magnets on it in case I want to remove it... So, if I attach a button I won't really be able to remove the panel anymore.

So anybody have any suggestions on where to mount my on/off button?

[Bgnome]

if your system is fairly stable, you can leave it on weeks at a time so you dont need to open it up all that much..
maybe mount it on the underside of the cp?  that general area is where i plan to mount mine..

[Sylentwulf]

Something I've been considering is counter-sinking an arcade button. Drill a 1 1/2" (or so, haven't measured) hole halfway through the wood, then finish it with a 1 1/8" hole, so the button is sunk into the cab and can't be pressed on accident as easily. That way if someone bumps into it, ot you run your hand along, it will be flush, and the button won't press.

[FractalWalk]

I'm be putting mine on top, probably counter sunk a bit.

[Buddabing]

Yesterday I received my Smart Strip... It didn't work at all with the first power supply I used but I'm pretty sure that power supply is garbage and near dead...

I tried a different power supply and it worked *perfectly*.  The smart strip rocks.

I've also wired up a button (regular happ's microswitch button) to the motherboard so I can use that to turn on the PC.

Where should I mount this button?  At first I was thinking to mount it inside the control panel box then all I would need to do to turn on the arcade is open the control panel and push the button.

After thinking about this for a bit I'm not sure I want to keep opening/closing the box.  The top of the box is held down using velcro so opening/closing constantly might not be good for it.

My next choice is to mount the button on the back of the arcade, on the back bottom panel.  I figured I'd just drill a hole in this panel, but I also have magnets on it in case I want to remove it... So, if I attach a button I won't really be able to remove the panel anymore.

So anybody have any suggestions on where to mount my on/off button?

Real cabinets have their buttons mounted on top towards the back.

I personally open the coin door and reach in and turn on the computer, no button mounting required.

[Tilzs]

I put a rocker switch on the underside of the control panel. Don't even notice it

[sofakng]

I'm be putting mine on top, probably counter sunk a bit.

What do you mean on the top?  On the very top piece above the marquee?

I like the bottom of the control panel idea...  You guys meant that if you sat on the floor and looked up (at the control panel box), you'd see the button, right?

[NoOne=NBA=]

I put a rocker switch on the underside of the control panel. Don't even notice it

Until you bump it with your knee.

I'd go on top toward the front.
They put them on top toward the back in the arcades because it is hard to get to them without a stool when the machines are packed in next to each other.

I personally am using a Powermate for mine, which sits ON the CP, just in front of the monitor bezel.
This is a really expensive way to get a power switch though.
I happened to have one sitting around, and used it.

[fredster]

Walk up to your machine and lean on it, play a little on it and then see where you hit it.  Don't put the button there.

Reach up and see if there is a place that's handy but not noticeable.

A lot of arcade machines have the on/off switch on the top near the back of the machine.  

I put mine right above the marquee.

[FractalWalk]

What do you mean on the top?  On the very top piece above the marquee?

Yes. My cab has about an 18" flat "roof" on it.  It will be easy to reach, but out of the way of accidentally hitting it.

[pointdablame]

I'm gonna suggest the top of the machine as well.  Right now my cab is just a working Xmen and I notice people leaning on it all different ways.  I'd be that CP has been touched/bumped/and pushed in every spot imaginable.  

My machine has a counter-sunk switch up top which I'm going to just reuse as my computer power switch... it's easy to access, out of the way, and most people won't even give it a thought.

[sofakng]

Wow, seems like lots of people suggest the top...

Anybody have any pictures of a button on the top already mounted?

[pcates]

Wow, seems like lots of people suggest the top...

Anybody have any pictures of a button on the top already mounted?

If you mount it on top of the cab, you can not see it unless you are like 7 feet tall, or you cab is <6 feet, so there is not any reason to photograph it. You would be the only one that would know it was there.

[Trimoor]

here is a much better idea that doesn't even need an extra switch!

attatch a SPDT relay to the computer power supply, wire the NO of any button on your panel to the common of the relay.
Wire the NC of the relay to the motherboard.
Wire the NO of the relay to the keyboard encoder.

What this does is causes a button on your panel to turn on the computer, but once it is on, it will run to the keyboard encoder, not to the computer power.

To turn it off, just shutdown through your OS.

(If this doesn't make sense, I can post a circuit diagram)
(oh, and no I did not do this on my cab.  Mine is hard powered, so I mounted a lightswitch underneath to the front right)

[SpamMe]

I'm just using a standard push button right on the control panel. It works fine (I have a spacious panel, so it doesn't get bumped accidentally) but if there are a lot of people coming over, I usually flip a switch inside the cabinet that disables the button.

[pointdablame]

here is a much better idea that doesn't even need an extra switch!

attatch a SPDT relay to the computer power supply, wire the NO of any button on your panel to the common of the relay.
Wire the NC of the relay to the motherboard.
Wire the NO of the relay to the keyboard encoder.

What this does is causes a button on your panel to turn on the computer, but once it is on, it will run to the keyboard encoder, not to the computer power.

To turn it off, just shutdown through your OS.

(If this doesn't make sense, I can post a circuit diagram)
(oh, and no I did not do this on my cab.  Mine is hard powered, so I mounted a lightswitch underneath to the front right)

heh, if you want to do something like that, just check if your BIOS has a power on from keyboard or mouse option.  Then you can hit any buttons/joystick/trackball on your CP and the system will boot up.  I don't like this idea because no doubt everytime someone sees your cab, they will hit a button... it's as if people can't just look at an arcade machine... the MUST touch the controls.

That's why I like the idea of a button up top out of reach, and out of mind.

[DougHillman]

Mine's on the roof near the back as well.   Keeps it a little harder to reach & find for little kids or anyone else who doesn't need access to the cabinet when it's off.    Besides, that's where it is on most real cabinets.

[DrewKaree]

Mine's on the roof near the back as well.   Keeps it a little harder to reach & find for little kids or anyone else who doesn't need access to the cabinet when it's off.    Besides, that's where it is on most real cabinets.

What did you use to cut through the shingles on the roof?  

[Industen]

I have mine also on the top of the cabinet toward the back. It's out of reach and question free..., "What's this button do"? Usually when you hear a remark like that sooner of later the machine will be mystically on. Which brings me to the BIOS power on. This setup can turn your machine on with itchy fingers very frequently. I can't tell you how many times I spun the spinner or hit a button while passing my cabinet while it's off. If I do it multiple times the odds are guests will have a field day on it. Besides I'd rather turn the thing on to see everyones reation.

[foomench]

heh, if you want to do something like that, just check if your BIOS has a power on from keyboard or mouse option.

All the people worried about bumping the power button should also check their BIOS for power-off options. I have most of my computers set so you have to hold the power button for 4 seconds to actually make it turn off. Not all motherboards support this, but many do, and for some it is the default.
-foomench

[paigeoliver]

Yesterday I received my Smart Strip... It didn't work at all with the first power supply I used but I'm pretty sure that power supply is garbage and near dead...

I tried a different power supply and it worked *perfectly*.  The smart strip rocks.

I've also wired up a button (regular happ's microswitch button) to the motherboard so I can use that to turn on the PC.

Where should I mount this button?  At first I was thinking to mount it inside the control panel box then all I would need to do to turn on the arcade is open the control panel and push the button.

After thinking about this for a bit I'm not sure I want to keep opening/closing the box.  The top of the box is held down using velcro so opening/closing constantly might not be good for it.

My next choice is to mount the button on the back of the arcade, on the back bottom panel.  I figured I'd just drill a hole in this panel, but I also have magnets on it in case I want to remove it... So, if I attach a button I won't really be able to remove the panel anymore.

So anybody have any suggestions on where to mount my on/off button?

Real cabinets have their buttons mounted on top towards the back.

I personally open the coin door and reach in and turn on the computer, no button mounting required.

REAL cabinets have them

on top (many)
in back down low (most Atari)
in back up high (many others)
on the side (Turbo and other Sega titles)
underneath (most cocktails)
on the front (Sprint One and others).

They can be anywhere. The best places however are places you can reach WITHOUT pulling the machine out from the wall.

[Knoxximus]

I ordered on of those "Ignition 1" switches that Kev Steele talked about at Retroblast.  The showcase cab I got has a hole on each side of the CP (for some sort of security mechanism, which I obviously don't need).  The hoels aren't very big, just large enough to get a wire through, so I ran the wire down through the CP base and into the hole to the monitor section (those familiar with showcases know what I'm talking about).  It works great!

*just got a camera phone, so pics wil be coming finally!*

[Knoxximus]

PICS!!

[Knoxximus]

This camera phone is GOOD!

[Minwah]

Here's mine, just an arcade button on the very top (out of sight unless you're 6.5')...

[Trimoor]

This camera phone is GOOD!

I hope you meant that sarcastically, because those images are CRAP!
They are blurry, out of focus, and have horrible contrast.

It's not your fault, camera phones are just plain crap to begin with.

[DougHillman]

minwah, does the lock control the power as well?  Locked, it won't turn on?

Was considering doing that myself.

[Knoxximus]

This camera phone is GOOD!

I hope you meant that sarcastically, because those images are CRAP!
They are blurry, out of focus, and have horrible contrast.

It's not your fault, camera phones are just plain crap to begin with.

*thought he sprinked enough fresh scent SARCASM on this post..... *

[Minwah]

minwah, does the lock control the power as well?  Locked, it won't turn on?

Was considering doing that myself.

Actually no (hadn't thought of the idea)....the lock is there as the top panel is hinged and can be lifted up when unlocked, in order to remove the monitor glass (when I get it) and marquee.

[Tilzs]