Mini-PAC

[Searcher7]

I'm about to order a Mini-PAC and intend to interface it with an original arcade trackball(from Missile Command), and/or my original arcade spinner(from Arkanoid).

Considering this, does it make a difference if I order it with a "Ultimarc T/B Harness" or a "Happ T/B Harness"?

Also, can anyone tell me what the difference is between the "Standard" and the "Opti", as far as the physical hardware received?

Thanks a lot.

Darren

[cholin]

Since nobody seems to be able to help you, I think I should add that its always best to ask Andy, because if anyone know's his own hardware, its the creator.

[Flinkly]

at this time, all the actual minipac boards are the same.

[Searcher7]

The reason I asked is because I have a lot of wiring and just wanted to get what I needed.

Perhaps a better way to phrase the question is why does the "Opti" allow a mouse input and the "standard" doesn't?(I'm just trying to figure out the hardware differences).

And just to make sure. There is no better solution than the Mini-PAC for a large number of single player games, correct?

Thanks.

Darren

[cholin]

Well theres no better solution as of now, but I dont see what you mean for opti.  Is that just the board that you can buy says opti?  That's just a harness.  All the boards are the exact same, but what Andy does is sells you connectors too for specific things, so you save an hour's work.

[Searcher7]

Well theres no better solution as of now, but I dont see what you mean for opti.

[cholin]

Yes, basically.  What Im saying, is that no matter which one you pick, you will get the same board.  If you want a wiring harness, its gonna cost extra.  If you want a special wiring harness (trackabll) its gonna cost u even more.

If you buy the 29 dollar board, and BYO wiring harness, you still get the functionality of the trackabll, just you had to make your own wires.  He's selling the wires basically.

[Kremmit]

He's selling the wires basically.

The wires, the connectors, and most importantly, the labor time.  How long would it take you  to split apart an IDE cable, solder longer leads onto all the wires, and attach quick disconnects to the end of each wire?  How much is your time worth?  I know I'm slow at that stuff, and lack of time is the biggest thing keeping me away from cab building now, so it doesn't seem so expensive to me.  Folks with more time and less $$ might be of a different opinion, though.

[cholin]

Im the folk with more time and less money, and believe it or not, I dont mind doing that kind of stuff.  If I had the parts he used, I would probably sell the harnesses for wire charge + 5 bucks labour.  I enjoy doing this kind of stuff, which will end up saving me money (not alot, wont kill you if you buy the harness)

[Searcher7]

Thanks.

I have to do some custom wiring, and I'm not using either the Happs or Ultimarc trackball, so I guess homemade is the best way to go for me.

Can anyone tell me what specific board connector/s connect to the Mini-PAC?

Thanks.

Darren

[Tiger-Heli]

I have to do some custom wiring, and I'm not using either the Happs or Ultimarc trackball, so I guess homemade is the best way to go for me.

If it's a missile command trackball it's essentially a Happs.

The Mini-pac wiring diagram is here - http://www.ultimarc.com/mp_inst.html but it doesn't specify any differences for the different types of trackballs.  I think it might be pull-up resistors, but you might want to confirm with Andy.

Can anyone tell me what specific board connector/s connect to the Mini-PAC?

If you mean the pin headers on the board - They're 0.100 inch centers and you can cut a standard computer HD cable and run it to a terminal block or splice onto it.

[Searcher7]

I have to do some custom wiring, and I'm not using either the Happs or Ultimarc trackball, so I guess homemade is the best way to go for me.

If it's a missile command trackball it's essentially a Happs.

The Mini-pac wiring diagram is here - http://www.ultimarc.com/mp_inst.html but it doesn't specify any differences for the different types of trackballs.

[Tiger-Heli]

I've been attempting to figure out why it makes a difference which trackball is used. And I can only assume that it is because of the different optic boards, which means that the Mini-PAC doesn't factor those out.

Darren

I think it has to do with active hi and active lo and pull-up resistors, but I'm not sure at all on this.

[Searcher7]

Unfortunately, the mini-PAC is now out of the question, because when I e-mailed Andy to ask if he would accept a postal money order, and he replied with the below:

 "We can accept Postal Money Orders but only in GB Pounds. Unfortunately if you are in the USA you will not be able to get one of these.

Okay, can anyone recommend another option for me?

Thanks.

Darren

[Kremmit]

Unfortunately, the mini-PAC is now out of the question, because when I e-mailed Andy to ask if he would accept a postal money order, and he replied with the below:

 "We can accept Postal Money Orders but only in GB Pounds. Unfortunately if you are in the USA you will not be able to get one of these.

Okay, can anyone recommend another option for me?

Thanks.

Darren

Paypal?

[CheffoJeffo]

Post a WTB in B/S/T ... maybe someone can tack a MiniPac on their next Ultimarc order.

Cheers

[Searcher7]

I'm still in search of the next best option.

Thanks a lot.

Darren

[Tiger-Heli]

www.groovygamegear.com KeyWiz Eco2 (no solder) or GP-Wiz (no-solder) and www.oscarcontrols.com pre-hacked USB mouse interface.

[Searcher7]

I have to do some custom wiring, and I'm not using either the Happs or Ultimarc trackball, so I guess homemade is the best way to go for me.

If it's a missile command trackball it's essentially a Happs.

The Mini-pac wiring diagram is here - http://www.ultimarc.com/mp_inst.html but it doesn't specify any differences for the different types of trackballs.  I think it might be pull-up resistors, but you might want to confirm with Andy.

Can anyone tell me what specific board connector/s connect to the Mini-PAC?

If you mean the pin headers on the board - They're 0.100 inch centers and you can cut a standard computer HD cable and run it to a terminal block or splice onto it.

Ok. I now have a couple of Mini-PAC PCBs.

I've noticed how thin the wires are in an IDE cable. Is it plausible to find some sort of extention header(a stand-alone IDE connector) where 20 gauge wires could be attached to each pin?

Thanks.

Darren

[Tiger-Heli]

Is it plausible to find some sort of extention header(a stand-alone IDE connector) where 20 gauge wires could be attached to each pin?

I don't think so, at least I've never seen one.

[romperwomb]

Ok. I now have a couple of Mini-PAC PCBs.

I've noticed how thin the wires are in an IDE cable. Is it plausible to find some sort of extention header(a stand-alone IDE connector) where 20 gauge wires could be attached to each pin?

Thanks.

Pick up some Terminal Strips from Radio Shack.

The IDE wires come in on one side and 20 gauge out the other.

[Tiger-Heli]

Pick up some Terminal Strips from Radio Shack.

The IDE wires come in on one side and 20 gauge out the other.

See Reply #10 above. 

[Searcher7]

Pick up some Terminal Strips from Radio Shack.

The IDE wires come in on one side and 20 gauge out the other.

See Reply #10 above. 

I'm trying to find a solution around the small wire gauge problem.(I'm used to using 20g minimum on all my projects).

Darren