Newbie Needs help. With used arcade cabinet Project.

[TheRCGuy]

I just purchased 3 cabinets, everything is in them , Controls, boards, power supply, lights, coin door, coin mech, coin catcher. except the monitor

The cabinets are Mortal Kombat 3, Westle Mania (something), Street Fighter II or III.

What is the best way to start this project? Things to keep and things to sell.

Also what are some links to projects along this same line so I can do some reading to see what direction I need to go. I want to run these as MAME cabinets.

Thanks,

[Kremmit]

Things to keep / Things to sell:

everything is in them except the monitor, Controls, boards, power supply, lights, coin door, coin mech, coin catcher.

So what's left?  You've got an empty wood box, plus ______?

Also what are some links to projects along this same line so I can do some reading to see what direction I need to go. I want to run these as MAME cabinets.

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,19049.0.html
has the most important links to get you started.

http://arcadecontrols.com/arcade_examples.php
for when you get tired of reading and just want to look at pretty pictures. 

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=search
and don't forget this one. 

[TheRCGuy]

Things to keep / Things to sell:

Quote
everything is in them except the monitor, Controls, boards, power supply, lights, coin door, coin mech, coin catcher.

So what's left?  You've got an empty wood box, plus ______?

Oops I total posted that wrong, I meant everything is there (all that stuff) except the monitor is only gone.

Thanks!

[Raven..]

First off, wrap the boards nicely in anti-static bags.  Then pack them in a box with bubble wrap and mail them to me......

Seriously, the first thing you need to decide is do you want three MAME cabinets, and if you want arcade monitors or PC monitors in the cabinets. 

You do not really need the boards or power supplies.  You will need computers and some keyboard encoders though. 

[Kremmit]

Ah, now the question makes sense. 

Since you're going to MAME them, you can sell the marquees & boards for sure.  Ditto the bezel/monitor glass, if they're printed with artwork/instructions, etc.  There may be manuals, schematics, etc. inside, those can go.    If the control panels are nice, you might sell those complete- or you could try to sell the controls by themselves.  Or you could keep the controls, if they're ones you like.  Depends on whether you want new or not, I guess.

I've also seen people selling wiring harnesses on ebay, but I'd keep those intact if I was you.  The J-Pac from www.ultimarc.com will plug directly into the JAMMA plugs on your wiring harnesses, making your 1st projects a ton easier.

[missioncontrol]

I say that if all they need are monitors then get monitors and leave them how they are...............

[TheRCGuy]

where is a place I can get monitors? Also what should I look for 2 are 19" or 20" and  1 is a 25".

Thanks!

[Raven..]

Where do you live?  I have a local guy who rebuilds and sells monitors for a good price here in the DFW area.

[Kremmit]

If you get real arcade monitors, you can keep the games intact.  You can also use MAME with real arcade monitors, but you will need to buy the ArcadeVGA cards from www.ultimarc.com.  New ardade monitors can be had from www.happcontrols.com and www.betson.com, for starters.

It's cheaper to use a PC monitor, or a TV and a video card with TV-Out (S-video or Composite reccomended).  Picture quality is not as true-to-arcade with a PC monitor or TV, though.