Newbie Cab Concerns

[j123vt_99]

As some of you may know I am wanting to create a MAME cab (original i know).. Since I don;'t have many woodworking-type skills, I figure the best avenue is to take an existing cab and alter it... below are some of my concerns, please tell me if they are legit or not

1) i could use an existing complete cab with monitor and arcade vga.. I am pretty concerned about the electricty associated with the monitor.. I have heard if you touch it part of it, you can get a nice shock.. I'm not sure this is something i want to misaround with

2) if i go with a regular computer monitor for a display, I have little to no clue on how to mount it

3)for a CP, i can only use a existing as i don't have access or knowledge to create my own... how difficult is wiring the buttons to the computer interface?

[GGKoul]

Wiring to an ipac is very easy. 

I suggest you find an empty cab and go from there.  But you are going to need some wood-working skills to build your CP to your liking.

OR you can pay someone to make a cabinet for you.  But it comes to $$$

[j123vt_99]

thinking about trading my missile command for a pretty complete mame-capable cab... i'd probably get the short end of the deal, but it would push me into the mame/cab world pretty quickly

[GGKoul]

If your offering that, I'm sure someone in TX will be able to help you.

Damm.. I wish I lived close to you as I would build you one...

[sodapopinski]

If your offering that, I'm sure someone in TX will be able to help you.

Damm.. I wish I lived close to you as I would build you one...

We can't get much farther away than that

[mahuti]

I've worked with a number of monitors on a wide variety of projects, and have never been shocked. There's a few thigs that COULD shock you. Don't mess with those things.

[Nannuu]

Don't let building a cab scare you.  It really is a piece of cake.  Even the monitor is easy to deal with, I just don't touch anything.  But getting an empty cab with a cp is by far the easiest route.  Easier even if it has a monitor in it that works.  The hard part is deciding on controls and art work.  Well, for me anyway 

[Fat_Trucker]

Interfacing to the monitor is fairly straightforward and doesn't really require any real technical expertise if you buy the right kit.

If you are really concerned you might consider buying a Jamma cab and converting it with a J-Pac which removes the need for you to touch the monitor wiring yourself.

Definitely invest in a copy of 'Project Arcade' a book by John St(saint) Clair. It explains everything very clearly and easily right from the balls to the haircut and will give you a lot more confidence in what you can achieve.

Mainly take your time, plan everything precisely and make regular reference to the FAQ.

[j123vt_99]

Interfacing to the monitor is fairly straightforward and doesn't really require any real technical expertise if you buy the right kit.

If you are really concerned you might consider buying a Jamma cab and converting it with a J-Pac which removes the need for you to touch the monitor wiring yourself.

Definitely invest in a copy of 'Project Arcade' a book by John St(saint) Clair. It explains everything very clearly and easily right from the balls to the haircut and will give you a lot more confidence in what you can achieve.

Mainly take your time, plan everything precisely and make regular reference to the FAQ.

got the book a while ago... it has been helpful

[Fat_Trucker]

Then you are half way there.

Interfacing with a J-Pac or I-Pac is pretty much a case of screwing the wires from your controls into the corresponding terminals (which are all marked) on the card. (p1 button to the terminal marked p1 etc). Once you have it wired up you connect it to your PC with the cable provided and away you go (just like connecting a keyboard).

From what I have read around the boards, mounting a PC monitor is mainly a matter of building a shelf into your cab that will leave the monitor sitting at a comfortable level for extended play, then masking the surrounding case with tape.