Why JAMMA?

[krick]

You could put a big resistor from each of the pins to ground.
It would get really hot.

[SirPoonga]

I wonder if there is a way to use a relay or something to auto shut the power supply off.

[krick]

I wonder if there is a way to use a relay or something to auto shut the power supply off.

Do you mean when there is a PC video signal on the J-PAC, the cabinet power supply is switched off with a relay?  I sure this can be done.   However it seems like a lot of work and I'm not totally sure what exact problem is being solved.

[RayB]

The problem is that an arcade Power supply will "burn up" if there is no load on it for an extended period of time. That was my primary concern. But if the multi-jamma is still powering whatever other PCB is plugged in there, well then that takes care of that.

The only remaining issue is cost. 

[paigeoliver]

Hmmm. I have a solution.

Buy a non-working board on ebay, take your pick, one that boots up to garbage will be best.

Wire it up to the power supply as well to provide the load you need. Problem solved.

[microwrx]

What's an extended period of time?  My 4 player cab has been running MAME for more than a year now and still runs fine WITH the power supply connected.  The power supply does have a few power lights that it runs as well as (when I finally get the artwork sorted) lighting the marquee and coin door light.  Had a JAMMA PCB in there to test a few weeks back and it's all fine.  Maybe the small load of the lighting is enough to prevent the supply from getting damaged.

Where are the other J-PAC users powering their marquee lights and coin door lights from if you are taking the power supply out?  Seems silly to rewire them to the PC power supply when they're already wired to the power supply in the cabinet.

[paigeoliver]

Marquees normally have a fixure that uses AC power from the transformer, at least all of my games seem to be that way.

The load of the coin door lights might actually be enough for your power supply, it isn't much, but it gives to power someplace to go.

[microwrx]

Actually, now you've mentioned it (and I went and re-checked) the marquee is being powered by mains power.  I did have another machine that ran a 12V fluro off the power supply though (still have the light fittings and connectors somewhere).

thanks