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Author Topic: Wiring dreamcast controllers to arcade  (Read 1835 times)

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sofakng

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Wiring dreamcast controllers to arcade
« on: September 19, 2004, 03:17:03 pm »
I know this has been covered several times, but there are so many old threads that I'm not sure whats the most recent an up-to-date information...

Basically I'd like to connect my arcade control panel (2-players) to my dreamcast and put the dreamcast inside the cabinet.

There is a SLIGHT chance I'd want to use my PS2 as well, but if it's going to cost a lot more (with buying controller converters [eg. PS2 --> DC]) then I'd probably just stick to DC --> arcade adapters.

Can anybody point me in the right direction for an up-to-date tutorial on this?

Alucard90

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Re:Wiring dreamcast controllers to arcade
« Reply #1 on: September 19, 2004, 04:12:17 pm »
yes i was wondering the same. The good website that TalkingOctopus suggests has been down for nearly 3 months

BTW i think this needs to be in the console section(I'm going to get alot of flaming for this) ::)

Bgnome

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Re:Wiring dreamcast controllers to arcade
« Reply #2 on: September 19, 2004, 04:25:42 pm »
use this diagram if you are using official dreamcast controllers.  pratically any information you find is "up to date."  there hasn't been anything new hardware-wise to the dreamcast scene for years now.

http://www.mameworld.net/pc2jamma/images/dcjoy.gif
« Last Edit: September 19, 2004, 04:29:42 pm by Bgnome »

Alucard90

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Re:Wiring dreamcast controllers to arcade
« Reply #3 on: September 19, 2004, 04:27:53 pm »
What diagram? ;)

Bgnome

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Re:Wiring dreamcast controllers to arcade
« Reply #4 on: September 19, 2004, 04:30:32 pm »

sofakng

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Re:Wiring dreamcast controllers to arcade
« Reply #5 on: September 19, 2004, 05:04:28 pm »
Thanks for the links...

Any question I had was how do you hookup the dreamcast controllers to the arcade controllers and at the same time have them wired to the PC (I-PAC)?

I heard that you can't have everything hooked up at the same time and you might need a DB25 printer switch or something.

Is there an easier (read: cheaper) method of doing it?

Alucard90

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Re:Wiring dreamcast controllers to arcade
« Reply #6 on: September 19, 2004, 06:07:35 pm »
I'm going to just a DB-25 switch box that i got for like $5 and either crimp on or sodder on DB25 ports and put the box in the coindoor.

Bgnome

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Re:Wiring dreamcast controllers to arcade
« Reply #7 on: September 19, 2004, 06:49:33 pm »
from what ive read on the boards, the key is maintain separate grounds.  you can do a search on the boards and see how others have managed it.

sofakng

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Re:Wiring dreamcast controllers to arcade
« Reply #8 on: September 19, 2004, 08:01:47 pm »
I'm going to just a DB-25 switch box that i got for like $5 and either crimp on or sodder on DB25 ports and put the box in the coindoor.

Where can you get a switch for $5?  I'm sure you could mail-order one for decently cheap but I'd assume shipping would cost quite a few bucks... (ending up at $15 or $20 for the whole thing...)

TalkingOctopus

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Re:Wiring dreamcast controllers to arcade
« Reply #9 on: September 19, 2004, 08:42:27 pm »
I think psx pads and adaptors might be the best route to go.  DC controllers are becoming harder to fine while psx pads can be bought for 5 dollars or less.  I have had good luck with these psx->dc adaptors.  
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=4303&item=8131990089

Here is another dc wiring diagram, although it probably does not show the best points to solder to:
http://webpages.charter.net/rbecker5/images/dc.gif

Dave_K.

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Re:Wiring dreamcast controllers to arcade
« Reply #10 on: September 19, 2004, 09:30:45 pm »
Sorry for the apparent, but have you looked in the Game Consoles section of this site?  Its a FAQ setup for these questions.  In fact some people don't even know there is a site, just a forum (because they link directly here from google).

Go to http://www.arcadecontrols.com.  You should get a frame with arcade buttons along the left that is the ultimate resource which is BYOAC.  Checkout the Game Consoles section.